What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Building Official position at City of Boca Raton, FL?
General Statement of Job
Under the supervision of the Chief Building Official, the Assistant Building Official performs advanced administrative, supervisory and technical duties related to the enforcement of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and related codes, including assisting the Chief Building Official in the management of the division and serving as the Chief Building Official in their absence. This position must demonstrate strong time management skills and self-direction as they review plans for consistency with state and city codes and perform field inspections of work in progress or completed work, issue notices of violations for non-conformance, communicate required corrections, and re-inspect when deficiencies are corrected, including major construction projects. This position also serves as a subject matter expert and supports chief inspectors and their subordinate work groups.
As an essential employee, the Assistant Building Official will be required to perform post-tropical cyclone damage assessment or other special work detail. The Assistant Building Official must be to meet all the education and experience requirements, hold required licensure and certifications, and have additional inspection work experience, all as noted below. This position is required to work in office or in the field within the City of Boca Raton during regular business hours as well as be on-call for building related emergencies that may occur after hours or over weekends.
Essential Functions
- Assists the Chief Building Official in the daily management of the division and serves as the Building Official in their absence
- Plans, coordinates, and supervises the building plan review and inspection processes under the supervision and direction of the Chief Building Official.
- Enforces the laws, ordinances, and codes relating to the construction and alteration of buildings as delegated by the Chief Building Official.
- Reviews and evaluates building plans for compliance with all applicable codes, including for the most complex multi-story development.
- Processes Certificates of Completion and notices of violation related to construction.
- Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of subordinates' activities.
- Communicates with and responds to inquiries from members of the public and staff regarding all aspects of applicable code requirements, review and inspection processes, and application comments in a timely and professional manner.
- Investigates complaints regarding all aspects of the building permit process, including plan review and inspection activities, and makes appropriate recommendations to the Chief Building Official as required.
- Prepares evidence and testify in code violation cases.
- Assists the Chief Building Official in maintaining professional relationship and communicating with Federal, State, and local officials to promote uniform interpretation and enforcement of laws and regulations.
- Assists the Chief Building Official in recommending amendments and additions to City Codes related to Building Codes and Inspections.
- Participates at the Emergency Operations Center during emergency situations and assists the Chief Building Official in implementing preparedness and recovery plans.
- Utilizes related business systems, including software related to inspections, plan review, and communication. Demonstrates ability to learn evolving technologies.
- Communicates with and responds to inquiries from the general public and staff regarding all aspects of applicable code requirements, review and inspection processes, and application comments in a timely and professional manner.
- Acts as a staff representative on building division matters before the special magistrate, City Council, Community Appearance Board, Planning and Zoning Board, the Palm Beach County Community Rating System Committee, and other boards, including the preparation of written reports and oral presentations, as necessary.
- Applies regulations and codes in an appropriate and consistent manner.
- Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence on building code inspection compliance matters.
- Presents cases to Builder's Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
- Coordinates plan review activities with the Permitting/Licensing section.
- Supervises and evaluates subordinate employees in a professional manner.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of plan review and inspection issues relating to building, electrical, and plumbing code enforcement.
- Knowledge of building, construction, engineering, and structural engineering principles and practices; comprehensive knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws regarding building code enforcement.
- All types of building construction, building construction materials, construction methods and at least one area of technical expertise in either the structural, electrical, mechanical or plumbing fields.
- City and State building codes and related laws and ordinances.
- Standard office practices, procedures, software, and equipment.
- Business English, spelling, and commercial arithmetic.
Skilled in:
- Technical reading comprehension, understanding written sentences, schematics, and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active listening, giving full attention to what others are saying, understanding the points made, asking questions as needed, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
- Service orientation, providing support and assistance as needed, ensuring inquiries, concerns, and administrative needs are addressed efficiently and effectively.
- Time management, efficiently organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and allocating time for duties.
- Communication, clearly articulating information to non-technical individuals and groups to ensure mutual understanding, resolve differences, refer customers to appropriate resources, and build trust and maintain relationships.
- Active learning, continually learning and practicing staying up to date with current codes, standards, requirements, and evolving technologies.
Ability to:
- Supervise and evaluate the work subordinates
- Detect poor workmanship, inferior materials and hazards that endanger life and property.
- Read, understand and interpret building codes and to assist in the evaluation of building permit application documents for compliance with those codes.
- Communicate effectively and maintain professional relationships with building owners, contractors, other city employees and the general public.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, applicants, contractors, and other stakeholders, working collaboratively with Department staff, and other departments.
- Enforce codes and regulations with firmness and tact.
- Organize and write accurate and detailed reports and to maintain paper and computer-based records.
- Use a computer, including proficiency with relevant software applications, as well as smartphones, cell phone, iPads, and tablets to efficiently complete tasks and communicate effectively.
- Respond as needed for inspections outside of normal business hours.
- Make use of employer provided resources to obtain and/or maintain required certification.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
- Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school plus seven (7) years of experience in building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing inspection and plan review work, including:
- A minimum of three (3) years of professional field experience as a plumbing, electrical, building, or mechanical inspector, inspecting for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.
- A minimum of two (2) years of professional plan review experience in one or more of the trade areas for a government agency with building code enforcement responsibility.
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience supervising building inspectors or plans reviewers for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.
- Possession of a valid Standard Certificate as Building Code Administrator from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute Chapter 468.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- State certification in one (1) discipline such as General, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical or Building Contractor with documented field supervisory experience or registration as an Architect or Professional Engineer with documented project management experience preferred.
- Certified Floodplain Manager, Association of State Floodplain Manager or equivalent certification.
- One (1) or more Fire Safety Inspector certifications, Florida State Fire College.
- Three (3) or more years of experience supervising building inspectors or plans reviewers for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of a valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with no more than six (6) points in a three (3) year period.
- Possession of a valid Standard Certificate as Building Code Administrator from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute Chapter 468.
- Ability to occasionally work outside of traditional business hours.
POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:
- Criminal Background Check
- Employment Verification
- Certification/License Verification
- Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) Check
- Drug and Alcohol Screening
- Physical Examination
Important Note: An Appointment made on the basis of provisional certification shall remain in a probationary status until such time as Standard Certification is obtained. Failure to convert the "Provisional Certification" to a "Standard Certification" within the time allowed by F.S. 468 may result in demotion or dismissal as the incumbent would no longer be qualified to fulfill major responsibilities of the position in accordance with the Florida Statutes.
The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity, Inclusive, Veteran's Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace. It is the policy of the City of Boca Raton to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.