Assistant Building Official

Halifax Regional Municipality; Halifax; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Halifax Regional Municipality seeks two permanent and one term Assistant Building Official. This key role involves ensuring compliance with construction regulations, conducting inspections, and providing technical advice using established municipal bylaws. Ideal candidates will bring relevant educational qualifications and experience, along with a commitment to community values of diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of construction management or design program.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Conduct plans examination for permit issuance.
• Respond to inspection requests and investigate non-compliance issues.
• Prepare technical reports and manage tenders.

Skills

Knowledge of HRM Bylaw M200

Analytical Thinking

Customer Service

Communication

Education

2-year post-secondary education in construction

Tools

Business related software

Job description

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for two (2) permanent, full-time positions and one (1) term up to 18 months, full-time position of Assistant Building Official in the Building and Engineering Standards division of Planning and Development.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous / Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

The Assistant Building Official is required to act in concert with other regulatory staff and agencies in order to ensure compliance with construction, development, and other health and safety-related regulations. The Assistant Building Official is primarily responsible for assisting in the delivery of three programs : Construction Approvals, Maintenance of Residential Occupancies, and Rooming House Licensing

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Provide dispatch support for Permits and Inspections programs as assigned by the Supervisor;
• Conduct plans examination of proposals for permit issuance;
• Investigate and ensure processing when unapproved construction activities have not obtained the required permits;
• Respond to requests and conduct detailed inspections of Residential Occupancies pursuant to Bylaw M200 and the Fire Safety Act;
• Prepare, receive, approve, and manage tenders for work required to remedy noncompliant property conditions;
• Provide technical advice regarding the Nova Scotia Building Code and communicate with Professional Architects, Engineers, Contractors, HRM staff, external agencies, and the public;
• Manage and respond to customer service requests and complaints originating from HRM citizens and internal agencies;
• Prepare technical reports, formulate correspondence, and discuss findings in support of the programs;
• Coordinate outside agencies who provide “safety net” services to tenants of residential occupancies during extreme situations, i.e. : Residential Tenancy Program, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Education and Experience :

• Successful completion of a 2-year post-secondary education program in a construction, construction management or construction design related field or Department of Labour trade certification in a building construction related field.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License.
• Membership in the NS Building Officials Association and participation in or completion of the Associations Professional Studies Program is considered an asset.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities :

• Knowledge of HRM Bylaw M200 and its application to existing buildings and occupancies.
• Basic knowledge of the application of the Canadian Building and Fire Codes to new and existing buildings and occupancies.
• Knowledge of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, the Nova Scotia Building Code Act and Regulations, Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act, would be considered an asset.
• Must have a sound knowledge and understanding of common law principals.
• Understanding of precedents resulting from Court and Regulatory Body decisions would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of associated construction approval departments and agencies as well as their related procedures and regulations is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of business related software and technology, i.e. spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, etc.)

Security Clearance Requirements : Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

COMPETENCIES : Analytical Thinking, Communications, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Decision Making, Organization & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Valuing Diversity, values & Ethics, Organizational Awareness

WORK STATUS : 2 Permanent, Full Time and 1 Term (up to 18 months), Full Time

HOURS OF WORK : Monday to Friday, 8 : 30 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m., 35 hours per week

SALARY : NSGEU 222 level 07, $37.22 per hour

WORK LOCATION : 3rd Floor of Duke Tower (5251 Duke St. Halifax, NS)

CLOSING DATE : Applications will be received up to 11 : 59 pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.