Building Code Official

WEST HAZLETON BOROUGH, FULL-TIME BUILDING CODE OFFICIAL

DEFINITION

The position of Building Code Official is a highly independent and responsible role functioning as a public official whose chief concern is the general health, safety, and welfare of all occupants, residents, and properties (residential and commercial) within their jurisdiction. Functioning independently with limited guidance from council and administration: supervises, plans, and carries out all code enforcement activities in the borough, cooperates with other borough agencies and departments and with federal, state, local, and private departments, agencies, and utility companies; investigates complaints and violations, both reported and observed; patrols public rights-of-way throughout jurisdiction to proactively detect violations Of adopted codes and ordinances; initiates procedures to abate violations involving local ordinances, including property maintenance codes and building codes, property maintenance violations, blight and nuisance properties, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, licensing, animal control ordinance violations, Other forms of public nuisance, and other issues relating to the health, safety, and general welfare Of the community; enforce Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code for all properties within jurisdiction; issues Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code building permits for residential and commercial properties, and issues all other Borough-issued and required permits and licenses; administers and enforces the adopted West Hazleton Rental Registration, Inspection, and Licensing ordinance and program; demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, codes, and other material necessary to the performance Of this job title. As the chief Code Official for the borough, exercises final decision-making authority for all code and local ordinance enforcement, licensing, and building code issues. If appointed by Council, may also serve as Zoning Officer, Planning Officer, and / or Public Safety Director (with additional duties outlined under those positions' description and duties). Once certified, serves as the registered Building Code Official for the borough. As needed, may serve as supervisor / director and department head of the Code Enforcement and Zoning department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives immediate supervision from the Borough Manager, and may receive guidance and limited direction from the Director of Public Safety (if applicable and if the incumbent does not serve in that role themselves). May receive general guidance and direction from Borough Council Chairperson of Code Enforcement and Zoning, in accordance with municipal law. All lawful directives issued by Council for the Building Code Official must be approved by Council as a whole during a meeting in accordance with municipal law, and must be relayed through either the Borough Manager, Public Safety Director, or the Council Chairperson.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

As may be applicable, supervises and coordinates the work of Deputy or Assistant Code Enforcement Officers, Public Safety Director, borough personnel employed as specialized inspectors, and third-party inspectors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

-Principles, practices, and methods used in the detection, investigation, and enforcement of codes and local ordinances.

-Thorough understanding of constitutional rights, legal limitations to authority, and best practices to understand which actions should and should not be taken in a large variety of different situations.

-A thorough knowledge of applicable codes, including building, zoning, fire, and property maintenance codes.

-A thorough knowledge of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code permitting requirements, process, restrictions, and regulations.

-Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

-Practices and requirements for record-keeping, including filing, reporting, and disclosing.

-Methods and practices for report-writing and issuing letters, notices of violation, certificates, licenses, correspondence (written and electronic), and legal documents (as appropriate).

-Office practices and equipment.

-Court procedures, testifying, and evidentiary practices and requirements.

-Citation issuance and administrative search warrant requests.

Ability to:

-Perform inspections of residential buildings, including rental properties.

- Perform Other inspections according to applicable certifications and training.

-Based on available data and established guidelines / regulations / laws, make sound decisions which may have significant legal or financial impacts.

-Identify situations Where referral to other inspectors, experts, agencies, departments, or other persons or entities is appropriate, and to make the necessary referrals. Implement, explain, and apply various laws, procedures, regulations, etc.

-Develop, plan, and administer necessary programs.

-Educate the public and answer all questions relating to subjects within the purview of the incumbent’s knowledge and duties.

-Create, keep, and maintain accurate records. Disclose records in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

-Work independently with limited or no guidance.

-Organize, prioritize, perform, and follow-up on all assigned duties.

-Read, interpret, approve/deny, and apply maps, sketches, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, laws, regulations, and other materials.

-Interact with the public, Violators, property owners, tenants, agencies, and others in a courteous and professional manner. When dealing with violators, must be able to take enforcement actions professionally yet firmly, with the ability to de- escalate tense situations when possible.

-Issue prosecution, keeping all necessary records and evidence, and testify in court. On patrols, identify violations and take the appropriate action

-Be sufficiently organized to take all necessary actions within the legally and procedurally prescribed timeframes.

-Multitask with a large caseload, prioritizing issues (including sudden emergencies) to properly handle all work.

-Utilize computer software and hardware, Office appliances, motor vehicles, various inspection tools, cameras, smart phones, GIS mapping, databases, manuals and code books, and other equipment and resources needed for performance of duties.

-Obtain and maintain all necessary licensing, and keep licenses up-to-date by attending continuing education classes and ensuring that licenses are renewed in a timely manner.

-Promptly meet all reporting and filing mandates.

-Communicate clearly and concisely, in professional language, both orally and in writing.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Requires the following:

-High School Diploma.

- At least three (3) years' experience in the field of construction, engineering, architecture, planning, zoning, code enforcement, or experience as a building official.

• OR

- An associate's or bachelor's degree in a field related to the duties of this employment role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

-Ability to speak, read, write, and communicate in English relating to technical matters.

-Ability to speak Spanish not required but highly desired

-Requires certification as Pennsylvania Building Code Official.

-Certification from the ICC as a Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector within six (6) months of employment.

- Additional ICC and PA UCC certifications highly desired.

-Possession of and ability to maintain Pennsylvania driver’s license.

- Must be able to pass a background check, child abuse background check, and any other screenings which may be necessary to interact with the public in private residences and to be registered to issue non-traffic summary citations and other forms of prosecution.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

- The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

-Operate motorized equipment and vehicles.

-Ascend and descend stairs Stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch, squat, twist, climb, and occasionally lift up to 251b.

-Walk over uneven and unsafe surfaces

-Exposure to outdoor elements, chemicals, dust, confined spaces, mechanical hazards associated with construction, blight properties, development sites, and maintenance.

-Operate phone, computer, keyboard, Office equipment, and write by hand.

- Must have adequate near and far visual acuity to perform inspections, read and write written reports, and operate a computer. Hearing is required Sufficient to answer the phone and converse in public, occasionally in situations involving loud background noises and raised voices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

-A combination of office and field work. Field work may involve all seasons, weather conditions, and temperatures, including rain, snow, hot and cold weather.

-Field work may also involve long periods in a vehicle on patrol for ordinance and property maintenance violations, and travel to and from various sites.

-The nature of this position involves frequent contact with irate members of the public. A risk of danger can exist from irate and/or aggressive violators, unsafe structures, and hazards associated with job sites.

-Position requires being on-call in case of emergencies and urgent code enforcement related issues.

-Varying amounts of overtime may be required to meet operational needs- However, normally scheduled work times will be 40 hours per week Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 4pm, with all additional time to be considered extraordinary and to be paid at time and a half.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

-The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, equivalent, or a logical assignment to the position.

-However, additional work clearly beyond the scope of duties described herein must be compensated in the form of additional hourly wage or a stipend and shall be added or amended to the incumbent's employment contract.

-Additional compensation may be given for candidates with special expertise, licensure, or language skills.

-The job description does not constitute an agreement, contract, or accord between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change. Notice must be provided when duties are added, removed, altered, amended, or otherwise changed from what is described herein, and any requirement for additional duties or certification must be compensated monetarily at a fair rate.

SCHEDULE:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

WORK LOCATION:

• West Hazleton, PA 18202

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25