Deputy Building Official

Shenandoah County; Nagla Deputy; On-site; INR 6,066,000 - 6,976,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Holidays

Job summary

Shenandoah County is seeking a Deputy Building Official in the Department of Community Development to lead building code enforcement and plan review activities. This role supervises inspectors, reviews plans, and enforces state and local codes to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

The successful candidate will have a high school diploma and five years of related construction or code enforcement experience; Virginia certifications are required or pursued within policy timelines.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and five years of progressively responsible experience in building construction, code enforcement, plan review, or related trades.
• Experience providing technical leadership or supervision is preferred; bachelor’s or associate degree in related field is a plus.
• Possession of Virginia DHCD Combination Inspector certification is required or pursued within policy timelines.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, coordination, and supervision of County building code enforcement activities.
• Supervise inspections for compliance with local/state codes and coordinate with County staff and agencies.
• Perform plan reviews and maintain building permit records and reports to ensure public safety.
• Provide technical guidance and code interpretation to inspectors and plans examiners.
• Testify in court on code requirements and related issues as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws and codes; participate in training and certifications.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Leadership

Code knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Five years of related experience

Certification in building or plan review preferred

Tools

Virginia DHCD Certification (preferred)

Job description

Deputy Building Official

Shenandoah County is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Building Official. The opening is for the Shenandoah County Department of Community Development. Candidates who do not yet meet the Deputy certification requirements may be considered for appointment as Senior Building Codes Inspector based upon certifications, experience, and demonstrated ability. The County may establish an individualized written certification plan as a condition of appointment. The job descriptions for both positions will be linked at the bottom of this posting.

The Deputy Building Official performs professional, administrative, supervisory, and technical work supporting the administration and enforcement of applicable building codes and regulations. The position reviews construction documents, performs inspections within assigned areas of responsibility, provides technical guidance and code interpretation, and assists in the supervision and coordination of building inspection and plan review activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Building Official. Supervision is exercised over Building Code Inspectors and the Plans Examiner.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists with the planning, coordination, and supervision of County building code enforcement activities.
• Assists the Building Official with the supervision of inspections for compliance with local and state building and related codes.
• Coordinates work with County Staff and other local and state agencies.
• Performs and coordinates residential, commercial, and industrial inspections and plan reviews; maintains required building permit records and reports; and assists in ensuring compliance with applicable building codes for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare.
• Performs or coordinates fire-protection-system inspections and plan reviews consistent with certifications held, delegated authority, and coordination responsibilities established between Building Inspections and applicable fire officials.
• Exercises authority delegated by the Building Official, including review or approval of permits, certificates of occupancy, notices, stop-work orders, unsafe-structure actions, and other code-enforcement documents when authorized.
• Supervises inspection and plan review staff and provides technical assistance, code interpretation, and guidance on complex inspections and enforcement matters.
• Receives complaints in regard to defective construction/conditions and handles enforcement issues.
• Identifies hazardous conditions, structural failures, code deficiencies, and improper uses; determines compliance with applicable codes and approved plans; recommends corrective actions; and documents violations as appropriate.
• Performs plan review to determine compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and related codes.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, fire marshal, inspectors, contractors, builders, architects, engineers, outside agencies, private citizens, and other individuals as needed on code matters, in person and by telephone.
• Testifies in court on code requirements, code violation cases or related issues.
• Reviews and files engineering letters, details, surveys and correspondence.
• Maintains a current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains awareness of new materials, devices, products, techniques, and construction methods; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Education And Experience

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building construction, code enforcement, building inspections, plan review, or a related construction trade, including substantial experience with commercial construction; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Experience providing technical leadership, lead-worker responsibilities, or supervision is preferred. An associate's or bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, building construction, or a related field is preferred.

Licenses And Certifications

Possession of a driver's license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia DHCD Combination Commercial Inspector certification is required for appointment or promotion to Deputy Building Official. Virginia DHCD Building Official certification is preferred at appointment and shall be obtained within the timeframe required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Certification Standards, and County policy.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment and techniques.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of the organization and functions of the department and of general administrative policies and practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of programs for the purposes of creating and formatting documents, graphs, presentations, databases and spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of commercial and industrial building construction.
• Knowledge of State building and related codes and laws and ordinances with emphasis on commercial certification.
• Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing in a highly interactive team-oriented work environment.
• Ability to detect poor workmanship, inferior materials, and hazards of fire and collapse.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and blueprints accurately and to compare them with construction in process.
• Ability to effectively supervise subordinates.
• Ability to use firmness and tact in enforcing building codes.
• Ability to input information and inspections for permanent records.
• Ability to keep office records and to prepare accurate reports from file sources.
• Ability to perform and organize work independently.
• Ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters and to perform routine office management details without referral to supervisor.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with building owners, contractors, associates and the general public.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance at work.

The annual starting pay range for this FLSA non-exempt position is $63,147.73 - $72,619.89, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Those considered for appointment as Senior Building Codes Inspector will be hired at a starting pay range of $57,276.85 - $65,868.38.

• The County offers an excellent benefits package, including Virginia Retirement System, health and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, and holidays.

The successful candidate must pass a pre-employment, post-offer drug screening and background check.

Category: Full-time Employment Opportunities. Status: Open. Posted: September 14, 2026 8:45 AM. Closing: Open Until Filled.

The position is open until filled with a first review of applications on Friday, September 25, 2026.

Shenandoah County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.