Building Official

Title:                      Building Official

Department:         Community & Economic Development

Division:                Building

Date:                     May 2024

Classification:       Exempt

Note: This job description describes a general category of jobs. To meet the needs of the Village government, its departments, and the community, employees may be assigned other duties, in addition to or instead of any of those described below, and any duties are subject to change at any time.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs a variety of administrative and technical duties related to the enforcement of Village Codes and Ordinances regarding building-related construction activities. Reviews building plans and specifications; performs inspections; is responsible for enforcing Village Codes concerning building, fire safety, and health. Performs specialized field and office work in the enforcement of municipal building and related codes and ordinances covering building construction, alteration, and repair.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to and works under the general direction of the Assistant Village Manager/Community & Economic Development Director

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Enforces all laws, codes, and ordinances governing construction and fire-safety-related codes including the International Building Code, International Residential Code, National Electric Code, State Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Fire Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, and Village of Lincolnshire Building Code amendments. 
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of national codes, construction standards, and outside agency regulations. Oversees adoption of updated construction codes and permit fees, including coordination with other affected departments.
• Review permit applications and all construction documents, reports, technical data, and other supporting documentation submitted for building permit applications. Coordinates with appropriate personnel to ensure construction documents conform with applicable Village ordinances, construction codes, floodplain management, and other regulations. Verifies code compliance and completion of any necessary plan revisions before issuance of the building permit.
• Calculates permit fees.
• Conducts building, accessibility, electrical/mechanical, and life safety inspections during construction for conformance with Village Codes and approved construction plans. Reports deficiencies, code violations, and/or deviations from approved building plans found during inspections. Prepares violation notices and citations where appropriate.
• Conducts code review of construction document revisions and records changes during the construction process. Actively participates in field matters to obtain resolutions of construction, occupancy issues, and other matters relative to the health, safety, and welfare of the community both prior to and after issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. 
• Prepares and submits monthly building/construction reports/statistics, or furnishes specific reports as needed.
• Conducts pre-submittal meetings with design professionals, contractors, and owners upon their request. Meets with design/construction professionals as needed during the plan review process.
• Acts as liaison for the Building Division; promotes effective and congenial public relations; resolves complex and sensitive building issues; responds to complaints and concerns relative to building permits; confers with interested parties regarding the interpretation and application of Village Codes.
• Performs and documents damage assessments following emergency events.
• Prepares an annual budget for Building Division revenues and expenses and submits it to the Assistant Village Manager/ Community & Economic Development Director. Tracks Building-related revenues and expenditures and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Attends professional development workshops and seminars to keep abreast of trends and developments in the fields of building.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for Code updates.
• Assists with analysis, coordination, and bidding of Village facilities maintenance, repairs, and capital projects. 
• Solicits and negotiates applicable professional service contracts within the purview of the Building Division.
• Manages professional service contractors.
• Maintains an archive of building permit, property-specific, and subdivision files.
• Cross-train with the Community & Economic Development Department to assume duties if needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS OUTSIDE OF DEPARTMENT

Other Village departments, local business owners, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, appraisers, realtors, craftsmen, residents, and the general public.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED

Motor vehicle, tape measure, flashlight, testing equipment, ladder, safety equipment, computer, general office equipment, cellular communications equipment, and occasionally uses light mechanical equipment. Telephone, personal computer, Microsoft Office Suite, ten (10) key calculator and adding machine, printer, fax, copy machine, scanner, binding equipment, laminating machine, paper cutter, paper punch, multi-level file cabinets, cameras, and general office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Considerable walking, standing, sitting, occasional bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching, wrist turning, grasping, pinching, manipulating. Minimal, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of up to 30 lbs. Standing, walking approximately 4 to 6 hours a day.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Comfortable and clean office working conditions in a moderately noisy environment for approximately half of each day, exposure to outside elements and construction sites the balance of the day.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

EDUCATION

Requires an associate degree (2 years) or accredited trade school with coursework in architecture, code enforcement, and/or related fields. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the enforcement of building regulations or related experience in the supervision of construction projects. Requires extensive knowledge of approved methods, procedures, and materials used in building construction. Requires possession of a valid Class D Driver’s License, and extensive knowledge of applicable International Code Council (ICC) and Illinois State codes. Residential Building Inspector (first six months of employment); Commercial Building Inspector (first 12 months of employment); and Certified Building Official (first 24 months of employment) certifications are required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Good knowledge of English, composition/business writing, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures, word processing, data processing, computers, and equipment.
• Skill in basic mathematical computations.
• Skill in creating spreadsheets, databases, and filing systems.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and blueprints quickly and accurately, and to compare them with work in progress.
• Hearing ability is sufficient to understand cellular communications and converse with others, both in person and over the telephone.
• Speaking and writing ability sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over the telephone, text, or e-mail.
• Must be able to deal effectively in stressful situations and enforce code compliance with diplomacy and tact.  

Salary : $79,030 - $112,900