What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Building Official position at City of Seaside?
Under administrative direction of the City Manager, plans, organizes, manages, and provides direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Building Department; coordinates assigned activities with other City Departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City Departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly complex and professional assistance to the City Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Seaside provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Seaside does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Building Department, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance. Responsibilities include performing and coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies; managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department; and developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Seaside provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Seaside does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Building Department, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance. Responsibilities include performing and coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies; managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department; and developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Assumes full management responsibility for all Building Department programs, services, and activities including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, code compliance, and the City Hall customer service counter.
- Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within City policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
- Plans, directs, and coordinates the Building Department's work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
- Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
- Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
- Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
- Represents the Building Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
- Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
- Makes presentations to the City Council, Successor Agency Board, and a variety of other boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in related fields and other services as they relate to the area of assignment.
- Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
- Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
- Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
- Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
- Serves as the City's Building Official and performs field inspections of new and existing residential, commercial, and industrial properties for conformance to codes, regulations, plans, specifications, and standards related to foundations, framing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, housing, soil testing, access, life safety, and other functional elements.
- Serves as the City's American's with Disability Act (ADA) Coordinator.
- Serves as source of information for developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors regarding Building Code and City construction regulations; reviews complex code applications for requested code modifications and alternate materials and methods; represents the Department and City in Building Code disputes and litigations.
- Performs preliminary review of projects submitted to the Neighborhood Improvement Commission; performs site inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local construction codes works closely with other departments in addressing City construction projects and code interpretations.
- Issues Certificates of Occupancy for new construction; addresses building appeals relating to City codes and ordinances; reviews alternate materials and methods of construction and unreasonable hardship requests; oversees special inspection programs.
- Negotiates, administers, and manages contracts for services.
- Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program and project development, implementation, management, and evaluation and supervision of staff either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
- Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
- Public agency budgetary, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
- Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures pertinent to the areas of responsibility.
- Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of areas of responsibility.
- Principles, practices, methods, materials, techniques, and safety standards of building construction, building inspection, and structural design for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
- Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life safety, energy, housing, zoning, and related codes.
- Principles and practices of plan checking and plan review processes; basic principles and practices of civil and structural engineering.
- Business letter writing and report preparation techniques.
- Records management principles and practices.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
- Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
- Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
- Perform the most complex building inspection duties.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility; select, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
- Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
- Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
- Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
- Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in building trades, construction management, community development, engineering, architecture, or a related field and five (5) years increasingly responsible management and/or administrative experience as a building official or in plan checking and/or the enforcement of building codes with a public agency, including two (2) years of supervisory experience. A Master's degree is desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
- Certifications as Plumbing, Mechanical, Building or Combination Inspector and Plan Examiner by the International Conference of Building Officials or the International Code Council.
- Certification as a Building Official by the International Conference of Building Officials.
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various construction, City, and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office, partially a field classification, and standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental Elements
Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to potentially hazardous physical substances. Employees partially work in the field and may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures, inclement weather conditions, loud noise levels, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures and City codes.
Salary : $164,330 - $199,744
