Building Official

This is a highly responsible managerial position involving municipal building inspection and enforcement of construction codes. The employee in this job classification manages the Building Inspection Division. Tasks are of unusual difficulty and involve directing, through subordinate supervisory personnel, the activities of various sections responsible for the administration of municipal building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, energy, handicapped accessibility, flood control codes, and related ordinances. Such codes ensure that all construction and other work accomplished in the City of Lakeland meets the technical standards for workmanship and safety. An essential duty of the employee is to administer codes effectively and impartially to promote the health, welfare, and safety of the City's citizenry. The employee must be thoroughly knowledgeable of the existing municipal codes and keep abreast of changes and trends in building inspection and construction codes. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Economic Development Assistant Director, requiring that the employee exercise extensive initiative and independent judgment in policy and program formulation for the Division. Initiative and independent judgment are also necessary to contact municipal officials, architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and the general public. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

• Directs the activities of various sections of the Building Inspection Division in the administration of municipal, building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, energy, handicapped accessibility, and flood control codes and related ordinances; establishes inspection workload standards; reviews documentation of inspection activities to ensure that standards are met, and code enforcement is effective; authorizes the initiation of legal proceedings when other means of achieving code compliance are deemed infeasible.
• Researches, formulates, and drafts new and amended codes and ordinances related to building inspection and construction codes; coordinates initiation and implementation with the City Attorney's Office.
• Coordinates Division activities with the activities of other municipal agencies such as the Electric and Water Utilities, Fire, Public Works, Risk Management, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts, and other divisions of the Community Development Department; maintains awareness of changes and trends in the building inspection and construction codes field; researches and develops recommendations on building inspection programs; prepares and presents oral and written reports.
• Performs administrative duties for the Division, including the development of personnel policies and procedures, budget formulation, program evaluation, and operating policy formulation; recommends personnel actions such as employment, promotions, transfers, demotions, suspensions, and dismissals; administers required discipline; responds to employee grievances; and completes employee performance evaluations.
• Meets with attorneys, architects, contractors, engineers, and developers regarding compliance with codes, building construction requirements, materials, and practices; performs reviews or makes inspections of building construction projects that may have difficult problems involved.
• Ensures timely and accurate issuance of permits, certificates of occupancy, and related documents.
• Conducts training and guides staff to ensure consistent interpretation and enforcement of codes.
• Resolves complex technical and code-related issues with architects, engineers, contractors, and property owners.
• Develops and recommends policies, procedures, and operational standards for the Division.
• Oversees and interprets the application of the Florida Building Code, reviews alternate construction methods and materials to assist in developing code solutions, and provides guidance on code compliance.
• Coordinates with other City departments.
• Conducts complex field inspections and meets with designers, contractors, and owners to assist in meeting development goals while ensuring compliance with applicable codes.
• Supports and implements the culture, customer service objectives, tone, spirit/intent, and management objectives under the Department Director.
• Monitors, develops, and implements solutions and improvements to the City's inspection and permitting software, including internal and external customer service automations.
• May be required to participate and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Demonstrates 10 years combined experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent, with at least five years of such experience in supervisory positions.

• Demonstrates a combination of post-secondary education in the field of construction or a related field, no more than five years being applied, and experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent, which totals 10 years, with at least five years of such total experience being in supervisory positions

• Must possess a Standard Class certificate as a Building Code Administrator from the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board. 

• Certified Building Official certification from the International Code Council, in which case the employee has six months from the date of hire to obtain the Florida Building Code Administrator certificate. 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• An incumbent in this position is required to file a financial disclosure statement with the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 112, Part III. This filing must be completed within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, no later than July 1 of each year in which the individual serves in this position.

• Management and supervisory techniques.
• Municipal codes and ordinances administered by the Building Inspection Division.
• The principles and practices of the building inspection and construction codes field.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal and other governmental officials, architects, engineers, contractors, representatives of business organizations, other employees, and the general public.
• Conduct analytical studies and draw sound conclusions.
• Analyze Division operations and establish necessary operating and personnel policies and procedures.
• Manage the work of a diverse staff.
• Prepare oral and written reports and impart them effectively.

• Sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.  
• Occasional climbing of ladders/scaffolding, etc., and crawling under buildings.  
• Occasional exposure to dusts, pollen, extreme heat/cold, wet/humid conditions, traffic, electrical shock, and heights.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

Salary : $98,269 - $147,405