Building Official

City-of-Yuma,-A; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Yuma is seeking a Building Official to lead the Building Safety Division within the Department of Community Development. The role oversees plan review, permitting, inspections, and code compliance, guiding staff and aligning programs with city priorities.

The chosen candidate will advise the city on complex safety issues, manage budgets, and coordinate capital projects to enhance the built environment while maintaining strong relationships with developers and community leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of public sector Building Safety program experience.
• Knowledge of city policies, building codes, and safety regulations.
• Experience coordinating plan review, permitting, and inspections.

Responsibilities

• Plans and directs Building Safety operations, reviewing programs for regulatory compliance.
• Acts as chief advisor on building safety issues and provides technical guidance.
• Directs staff, conducts performance reviews, and manages priorities and budgets.
• Coordinates Capital Improvement Projects related to the built environment.
• Represents Building Safety to state/regional agencies and the public.

Skills

Building Safety Management

Plan Review

Public Sector Administration

Staff Coaching & Training

Budgeting & Resource Allocation

Code Compliance Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Technology, Architecture, Business or Public Administration, or related field

Job description

**Open until filled with a 1st review date of August 31, 2026**

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness?  Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as the Building Official working with the Department of Community Development – Building Safety Division . The ideal candidate will lead and oversee the City’s building safety programs, including plan review, permitting, inspections, and related code compliance activities.

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities, functions, budgets, and programs with the Department of Community Development (DCD); manages plan review, permitting, building safety and code enforcement for the City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans and directs Building Safety operations, reviews and evaluates Building Safety programs and work performed; verifies compliance with all regulations, standards and policies.
• Serves as principal advisor to the City and subject-matter expert on building safety and technical issues; exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates and analyzes complex and sensitive issues and projects, develops solutions, advises on specialized areas of technical expertise, and assures the highest quality services are effectively delivered to clients.
• Directs, coaches, trains staff, and evaluates performance; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities, workload, resource allocation, budgets, technical issues, quality standards, and services.
• Develops and assists Engineering with the coordination and implementation of Capital Improvement Projects as they pertain to the built environment.
• Evaluates operational information, trends, and develops plans to meet future needs; assures issues are properly addressed and resolved; monitors changes in regulations and legislation.
• Represents Building Safety to state and regional agencies; explains and interprets programs, policies, and activities; promotes Building Safety programs and services to community agencies, citizen groups and the general public.
• Meets regularly with Community Leaders, Design and Developers to maintain professional relationships in the development community.
• Assists with Code Enforcement ensuring consistently applied rules and regulations.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Technology, Architecture, Business or Public Administration, or related field; AND five years’ experience managing public sector Building Safety programs; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Federal regulations, Arizona statutes, and regional ordinances governing building and safety codes.
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including performance management, personnel rules, accounting, budgeting, procurement, and contract management.
• Principles and practices of the construction industry and building trades.
• Methods, procedures and techniques for evaluating technical compliance.
• Methods and techniques of inspecting a variety of plans, buildings and technical documents.
• Principles and practices of building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions in construction areas.
• Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.
• Techniques and practices for effective and efficient management of allocated resources.
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including performance management, personnel rules, accounting, budgeting, procurement, and contract management.
• Environmentally responsible and resource-efficient community development techniques.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying building and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, department standards, and City codes and policies.
• Directing and leading staff, delegating tasks and authority, and coaching to improve staff performance.
• Reading and interpreting building plans and technical specifications, and checking details, estimates, plans, and specifications of projects.
• Performing building inspections for compliance with building and safety codes, and detecting deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Navigating the relationship between land use planning and building safety programs.
• Providing advice and consultation on standard construction methods and requirements.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, representatives from other government agencies, community groups, and advisory boards.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required. International Code Council (ICC) Building Official certification is required within one year of hire; depending on the needs of the City, incumbent may be required to obtain additional technical certifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment, with frequent trips to building sites. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.