Building Official - Austin Development Services

AustinTexas; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Austin is seeking a Building Official to organize, develop, and manage building plan reviews, inspections, and permit issuance. This role oversees review personnel and certificates of occupancy for both residential and commercial projects.

You will coordinate budgets, ensure compliance with federal, state, and city codes, and provide technical guidance to citizens, contractors, and city management. Strong knowledge of code development and inspection processes is essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles.
• Knowledge of construction practices.
• Knowledge of plan review and inspection processes.
• Knowledge of national consensus code development processes and local adoption ordinances.
• Strong communication of code requirements to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Directs plan reviews, inspections, and service center activities.
• Coordinates division budgets and policy development.
• Ensures compliance with codes and regulations for city, state, and federal levels.
• Provides technical advice to citizens, city management, and contractors.
• Coordinates with boards and commissions related to building codes.

Skills

Architectural principles

Engineering principles

Construction practices

Plan review

Code compliance

Staff supervision

Budget planning

Communication skills

Data analysis

CAD software

Tools

CAD software

Job description

About This Position

Job Description

Building Official

Purpose: Under nominal direction this position organizes, develops, and manages all building plan reviews and building inspections for the City of Austin. Also responsible for the building permit plan review personnel, completion of inspections, issuance of certificates of occupancy and occupant load cards by inspection personnel.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Directs the programs/projects/activities of plan reviews, inspections, service center divisions, and designates projects for specific inspections.
• Coordinates the preparation of and monitors compliance with division budgets, performs economic forecasting and contract monitoring, sets division policy in alignment with department goals and evaluates short- and long-term planning.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and city codes, ordinances and regulations and directs staff and guides development of code amendment language for ordinances adopting related codes.
• Enforces quality assurance/quality control initiatives and evaluates program operations for effectiveness and efficiency to include workforce utilization.
• Serves as member of and/or coordinates with various boards, commissions, etc.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to citizens, city management, and contractors.
• Serves as an ex-officio member of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals.
• Reviews customer appeals related to plan review or inspection decisions for complex code issues relating to residential zoning, building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and energy codes.
• Coordinates efforts of the development services division plan review and inspection personnel: Health and Human Services, Austin Fire Department, Austin Water Utility (including Industrial Waste), and Development Services Department Building Inspections. Provides dispute resolution for staff relating to internal and external clients of commercial and residential plan reviews and inspections. Provides assistance and information in the issuance of certificates of occupancy.
• Meets and consults with design professionals relating to the construction of new buildings in Austin, Texas.
• Track plan review and inspection history of buildings and provides review of and/or prepares technical reports. Conducts needs assessment studies.
• Research and resolve customer issues and serves as a city liaison for questions from the City Manager and questions from Council. Serves as a City of Austin liaison with consensus construction code development organizations such as the International Code Council, the National Fire Protection Association, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

Responsible for the full range of supervisory and management activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Architecture; Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering.
• Knowledge of construction practices.
• Knowledge of various phases of plan review and inspection processes.
• Knowledge of and experience in national consensus code development processes and in the development of local code adoption ordinances.
• Knowledge of architectural drawing practices, symbols and abbreviations.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in reading and interpreting complex architectural and engineering plans and specifications, including shop drawings.
• Skill in communicating code requirements orally and in writing to city plan review and inspections staff, architects, contractors, developers and the general public
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other employees, customers and the public.
• Skill in performing complex analyses including skill in interpreting code provisions in order to determine compliance with or deviation from applicable codes, including the analysis of alternate methods of compliance or performance-based designs.
• Skill in performing mathematical calculations.
• Skill in planning, organizing and maintaining records.
• Skill in common computer software programs, including productivity software, computer aided design software, and data entry for databases.
• Ability to communicate with and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
• Ability to recognize building codes and related st