Building Official

County of Trinity CA; Weaverville (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Trinity CA is seeking a Building Official to plan, organize, direct, and manage the division within the Community Development Department. The role includes budget development, policy implementation, and coordinating with federal, state and local agencies on building/code enforcement matters.

The incumbent will supervise staff, interpret codes, perform plan checks and inspections, and ensure compliance with ICBO standards and California Building Code requirements.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible work experience in supervision, program planning and evaluation, policy and procedure development, fiscal management/oversight or other related management activities, including at least two (2) years in a management or supervisory position.
• Two (2) years of direct experience in the programs related to the assigned division, preferably in municipal government.
• Associate’s degree in Building Construction, Architectural Engineering or related field and five (5) years construction, plan review and building inspection experience, including two (2) years supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct and manage the operations or program activities of the assigned division.
• Assist in establishing department/division policy, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Act as liaison between the Department Head and the division, other governmental agencies and the community.
• Direct and/or participate in the development of the division’s annual budget and monitor expenditures and revenues.
• Direct the development and implementation of division policies, procedures and reports.
• Supervise and participate in preparation of service or project costs for competitive bidding and budgeting.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budget development

Staff supervision

Liaison and communication

Policy development

Education

Associate’s degree in Building Construction, Architectural Engineering or related field

Job description

Under general direction the Building Official [referred to herein as Division Director] will plan, organize, direct and manage the assigned division of the Department. The Division Director will have day-to-day responsibility for the coordination and supervision of the division’s operations and functions, including but not limited to, performing budget development, providing highly responsible and technical staff support for special project studies, assisting in policy and procedure development and implementation and do related work as required.

(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

The following duties are typical for this classification. The incumbent may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties to address business needs and changing business practices:

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, direct and manage the operations or program activities of the assigned division based on the policy direction of the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Officer, or the Department Head, federal requirements, and state regulations and policy.
• Assist in establishing department/division policy, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Act as liaison between the Department Head and the division, other governmental agencies and the community.
• Consults with architects, engineers, designers, contractors and homeowners concerning deficiencies with structural and non-structural requirements; makes code interpretations, performs plan check, field inspections, works with and responds to staff and public to address and correct areas of concern that arise during plan check, inspection and construction activities; checks plans for completeness and adequacy before issuing permits; checks structural details of plans for residences and commercial structures for compliance with local, state and federal codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; reviews and investigates violations of building and zoning laws; assists in the enforcement of zone district regulations for building and use permits.
• Direct and/or participate in the development of the division’s annual budget for submission to the CAO’s office and assist the Department Head in presenting the divisions budget to the County Administrative Officer and/or the Board of Supervisors.
• Monitor expenditures and revenues for all budget units within the assigned division and serve as a resource to the Department Head and other senior managers in preparing expenditure and revenue projections, forecasts and other financial planning reports.
• Identify problems, determine analytical approaches, obtain information, conduct analyses and make recommendations that are aligned with the county, department and division goals and objectives, applicable federal and state laws, regulations and rules.
• Direct the maintenance of a wide variety of records in accordance with applicable policies and procedures, rules, regulations and laws.
• Review and evaluate changes in policies and procedures, rules, regulations and laws applicable to the operational, program or mandated functions of the division.
• Direct the implementation of county, department and division policy or practice changes as they relate to the division assigned.
• Direct the development and implementation of a wide variety of division related financial and statistical reports as needed and makes recommendations for efficiencies or improvements to division services based on these reports.
• Acts on behalf of the department head, when needed, to establish, facilitate and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of federal, state and local agencies, and community groups and organizations.
• Facilitate the coordination of interagency and interdepartmental programs and systems.
• Confer with representatives of other agencies in the area on matters related to the maintenance and/or development of new programs, coordinate services offered and solve interagency relationship problems.
• Develop division personnel policies and standards of performance in accordance with county and department policies and federal, state and local regulations and oversee personnel actions to determine compliance with policies and procedures, and provide guidance to subordinate supervisors regarding personnel matters.
• Ensure division is staffed with qualified individuals and resolve performance problems including documenting performance according to policy, training and developing staff, and assisting in the selection, hiring, and promotion of staff.
• Interpret laws and regulations, including new laws and proposed legislation, to determine relevancy to division and department operations and services, and assess the compliance of division programs with applicable laws and regulations.
• Negotiate and develop new, and oversee existing division agreements for both revenue streams and expenditure contracts.
• Ensure that information regarding division services and policies is provided accurately and thoroughly to external parties, and that all correspondence and/or complaints are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Supervise the preparation of plans, projects and specifications pertaining to division programs and work performed by vendors, contractors and staff members.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation of service or project costs for competitive bidding and budgetary purposes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO).
• California Building Code.
• Proper methods and techniques of building inspection.
• Building tools and materials.
• Principles of structural design.
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.
• Building and related codes and ordinances enforceable by the County, including uniform building codes, zoning ordinances, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes and health and safety codes.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to analysis and evaluation of division programs, policies, procedures, organizational structure and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of budget development, fiscal management, cost and governmental accounting, grants management, public agency funding and administration, financial planning and forecasting.
• Principles of project planning, development, coordination and direction for the assigned division.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations affecting the assigned division.
• Methods and procedures for developing and evaluating program quality and effectiveness.
• Computer applications relating to statistical analysis, patient/client records, database systems, billing and other financial records, and/or maintenance work.
• Interpersonal communications, collaboration, partnership and team building practices, and conflict resolution with both internal and external partner, peers, colleagues and employees.
• Principles of public administration, management, staff supervision, employee training and work evaluation.
• Techniques for preparing specifications, estimates, reports and recommendations related to the implementation of programs developed for the assigned division.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Principles of mathematics related to the building trades, if applicable to the program.
• Principles and practices in purchasing, bidding, contracts and vendor selection.
• Safety procedures for the assigned division.
• Various equipment used in County buildings and facilities.
• Applicable legislative and regulatory process at all levels of government.
• Land use and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), if applicable to the program.

Ability to

• Perform a variety of the more complex building inspections, examining workmanship and materials, plan review and enforcing requisite codes and ordinances.
• Provide inspection and code enforcement coordination, planning, and scheduling.
• Use and apply a wide scope of inspection methods and techniques.
• Detect deviations from laws, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Read, interpret, and explain building plans, specifications, and codes.
• Perform plan checks and reviews for building projects.
• Apply technical knowledge of building trades work.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Provide advice on acceptable construction methods and practices.
• Enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
• Plan, organize, manage, and coordinate the functions of the division.
• Analyze complex and sensitive administrative, budgetary, operational, economic, political and organizational problems, evaluating alternatives and reaching sound conclusions.
• Collect, evaluate, and interpret a variety of information and data, either in statistical or narrative form.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate payroll and administrative support functions as assigned.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate the work of a diverse subordinate support staff.
• Provide for staff training and development, as well as succession planning.
• Interpret, analyze and apply laws, rules, regulations, codes, policies, [plans, specifications, blueprints and drawings if applicable to the program.]; and clearly communicate and/or train others in the interpretation or application.
• Make effective public presentations to convey conclusions and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Officer, other government bodies, local agencies and organizations, and the media.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, subordinates, and internal and external customers.
• Coordinate multiple projects and meet critical deadlines.
• Work independently and as part of a team to provide input, make recommendations for proposed solutions, and act as directed on a variety of division issues and situations.
• Identify, analyze, and evaluate situations or problems to determine appropriate courses of action.
• Be flexible in adapting to changes in priorities or resources that impact pre-established timelines and courses of action.
• Maintain awareness of the functioning and status of multiple work groups or program areas simultaneously.
• Delegate work assignments and appropriate level of responsibility to employees in order to ensure the completion of work assignments and projects.
• Communicate, verbally and in writing, clearly and concisely with a variety of audiences on a variety of matters.
• Perform inspections and identify maintenance and repair needs [if applicable to the program], and develop projects, budgets and timelines, as needed.

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and experience, which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible work experience in supervision, program planning and evaluation, policy and procedure development, fiscal management/oversight or other related management type activities, including at least two (2) years in a management or supervisory position, or performing comparable work to that of a senior worker having lead oversight of subordinate staff within the Trinity County Community Development Department.

• A minimum of two (2) years of direct experience in the programs related to the assigned division, preferably in municipal government.

• Associate’s degree in Building Construction, Architectural Engineering or related field and five (5) years construction, plan review and building inspection experience, including two (2) years supervisory experience.

• Seven (7) years construction, plan review and building inspection experience, including two (2) years supervisory experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of, International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Certification in all of the following Code Council National Certification categories:
  • 1. Certified Building Official
  • 2. Residential Combination Inspector – includes the following:
    • Residential Building Inspector
    • Residential Electrical Inspector
    • Residential Mechanical Inspector
    • Residential Plumbing Inspector
  • 3. Commercial Combination Inspector – includes the following:
    • Commercial Building Inspector
    • Commercial Electrical Inspector
    • Commercial Mechanical Inspector
    • Commercial Plumbing Inspector
  • 4. Combination Plans Examiner – includes the following:
    • Electrical Plans Examiner
    • Mechanical Plans Examiner
    • Plumbing Plans Examiner
    • Residential Plans Examiner

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Typical physical requirements are dependent upon the division assigned but include the ability to sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Some divisions also require the ability to walk on slippery and uneven surfaces, crawl through various areas requiring movement on hands and knees, climb, stoop, crouch and kneel, lift and moves objects weighting up to 50 lbs., and perform sustained physical work.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment; some driving, may require field visits; continuous contact with other staff and the public. Some divisions require work to be performed in varying temperatures and include potential exposure to grease, solvents, chemical, pesticides and electrical currents.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The predominant focus of this position is to assist in the management, planning and coordination of the operations of the division assigned either directly or through subordinate staff and may act in the absence of the Deputy Director and/or Department Head. The incumbent serves as the principal program and policy advisor regarding the design, development, and implementation of policies, procedures, and systems and provides management and supervision to various units and/or programs within the assigned division.

Incumbents perform the full range of building inspection and code enforcement duties in residential, commercial, and mobile home areas, including the more complex inspections. In addition, they assist the Department Head with coordinating, planning, and scheduling the Building Code Enforcement functions of the County. They are required to possess knowledge of the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and the California Building Code, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, the California Electrical Code, and Title 25 requirements for mobile home construction. This class is distinguished from Senior Building Inspector by the fact that incumbents are expected to have greater knowledge of the requisite codes and be completely familiar with County code enforcement procedures and policies.

REPORTS TO

Director of Community Development Department and/or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Supervises classifications within the assigned division.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

In addition to our everyday duties, we have an added responsibility to help in a declared disaster. Under California law, all public employees are Disaster Service Workers and may be called upon in the event of a disaster. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Government Code 3100-3102; Labor Code 3211.92(b).