Building Official

City of Kalamazoo; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Kalamazoo is seeking a Building Official to interpret, administer, and enforce building codes and ordinances. You will lead plan reviews, inspections, and permit issuance while managing the division budget and coordinating with the Building Board of Appeals.

The role requires Michigan Building Official registration, strong supervisory experience, and excellent communication to support safe, responsible development in Kalamazoo.

Qualifications

• Registered as Building Official in Michigan per PA 407.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience with budgets and project coordination.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to solve challenges creatively and think strategically to support safe development in Kalamazoo.
• Demonstrated urgency, prioritization, energy, and deadline adherence.
• Ability to prepare reports, research information, analyze and interpret data.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes enforcement and plan reviews.
• Liaises with Building Board of Appeals and participates in Site Plan Review and Project Review committees.
• Manages division budget, vendor selection, contracts, revenue and expenditure forecasting.
• Supervises and evaluates construction trades staff, including performance reviews and development.
• Reviews and explains codes to contractors, engineers, architects and residents.
• Supports CPED divisions with code questions and interpretations.
• Participates in weekly development process meetings and special projects.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Project coordination

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Creative problem solving

Strategic thinking

Report writing

Data analysis

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Education

Michigan Building Official registration (PA 407)

Job description

Overview

The Building Official is responsible for interpreting, administering and enforcing the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes and ordinances and acts as the authority regarding adopting these codes within the City of Kalamazoo. This position also serves as the liaison to the Building Board of Appeals and is a member of the Site Plan Review Committee, Project Review Committee, and Projects meetings to support and shape development within the City of Kalamazoo. The Building Official manages staff whose work includes plan review, inspections, scheduling and permits, and also manages the division budget. Within CPED, the Building Official is a member of the department management team and collaborates with other division managers to support CPED goals and community objectives.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the trade inspection team, completes plan reviews, issues permits, performs inspections, and enforces the applicable city, state, and federal codes.
• Reviews and interprets codes to ensure fair and correct enforcement; meets with contractors, engineers, architects and residents to review and explain codes.
• Manages a multi-million dollar operating budget, including vendor selection, contract coordination, revenue and expenditure forecasting. Administers the Foundation for Excellence grants and other funding, overseeing reporting, compliance, and stakeholder coordination.
• Manages flood plain activities within the jurisdiction.
• Manages administration of recording, inspection scheduling, billing, and issuing of permits.
• Serves as liaison to the Building Board of Appeals.
• Supports CPED divisions and other departments with code questions and interpretations.
• Participates in weekly development process meetings including the Site Plan Review Committee, Project Review Committee, and project meetings.
• Participates in special projects such as Kalamazoo’s pre-approved plan program, policy review, and procedures related to demolitions or building rehabilitation.
• Supervises and evaluates building trades staff, including delegation of work, performance reviews, training and development, and discipline in accordance with City Charter, Human Resources policies, procedures, and union contracts.
• Manages contractor and vendor purchase orders, ensuring fiscal accountability, budget integrity, and compliance with procurement policies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Registration with the State of Michigan as a Building Official in accordance with PA 407.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience, with experience managing budgets and project coordination.
• Strong, clear communicator with excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to effectively communicate with the public and staff.
• Ability to solve challenges creatively and think strategically to support safe development in Kalamazoo and address challenges such as housing shortages.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency, prioritizes well, shows energy, responds to opportunities, instills urgency in others, and meets deadlines.
• Ability to prepare reports, research information, gather technical data, analyze and interpret information.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

The City of Kalamazoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and encouraged. While studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all qualifications, we are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, even from nontraditional backgrounds. If you have transferable experience, please describe it. This approach helps current and potential employees learn, grow and contribute to the City of Kalamazoo.