Chief Building Official

City of Raleigh North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Raleigh is seeking an experienced Chief Building Official to oversee building code enforcement, inspections, and plan review within the Building Safety Division. This leadership role ensures safe and compliant construction while supporting Raleigh's growth and delivering excellent customer service.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with effective leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to public safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Lead building safety operations and enforce the NC State Building Code across plan review and inspections.
• Supervise and develop inspection and plan review staff; set performance expectations and accountability.
• Provide technical expertise and interpret complex building code requirements for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee building inspections and plan reviews to ensure code compliance.
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and strategic departmental initiatives.
• Mentor staff and promote continuous professional development.
• Keep abreast of changes to building codes and industry standards to maintain readiness.
• Collaborate with City departments, contractors, developers, and regulatory agencies on complex issues.

Skills

Leadership

Code interpretation

Staff development

Public safety

Communication

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency

Equivalent combination of training/experience

Tools

EnerGov

Job description

The City of Raleigh is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Chief Building Official to provide leadership and oversight of building code enforcement, inspections, and plan review operations within the Building Safety Division. This key leadership position is responsible for ensuring the safe and compliant construction of residential and commercial buildings while supporting Raleigh's continued growth and development. The Chief Building Official will lead a team of skilled professionals, promote consistent application of building codes, improve operational efficiency, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with effective leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to public safety and continuous improvement.

About You:

You are a knowledgeable and collaborative leader who is passionate about building safety, developing employees, and delivering high-quality public service. You have extensive experience interpreting and applying building codes, managing complex construction-related issues, and guiding teams through challenging situations.

You understand the importance of balancing regulatory responsibilities with practical, customer-focused solutions. You communicate effectively with contractors, design professionals, developers, elected officials, and the public while maintaining professionalism, consistency, and accountability.

You are comfortable using data and technology to improve performance, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, and fostering a workplace culture that values teamwork, innovation, professional development, and continuous improvement.

About Us:

The City of Raleigh's Planning and Development Department plays an essential role in supporting safe, sustainable, and responsible development throughout one of North Carolina's fastest growing communities.

The Building Safety Division is responsible for administering and enforcing applicable building codes through construction plan reviews, field inspections, and code compliance activities. Our team works closely with property owners, contractors, design professionals, developers, and other City departments to ensure construction projects meet established safety standards while providing efficient and responsive services.

We are committed to creating a collaborative workplace that values employee development, innovation, operational excellence, and outstanding customer service. Working for the City of Raleigh provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community while contributing to the City's long‑term success.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Lead Building Safety Operations: Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of building inspection and plan review activities to ensure consistent application of the North Carolina State Building Code, applicable laws, and City policies.

• Manage and Develop Staff: Supervise and support inspection and plan review personnel, establish performance expectations, evaluate employee performance, promote professional development, and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Provide Technical Expertise and Code Interpretation: Serve as a technical resource on complex building code issues, resolve escalated code interpretation questions, and provide guidance to staff, contractors, design professionals, developers, and other stakeholders.

• Improve Operational Performance: Monitor workload, staffing levels, inspection timelines, plan review performance, and service delivery metrics. Identify and implement process improvements, technology enhancements, and strategies that increase efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction.

• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Build productive relationships with City departments, regulatory agencies, professional organizations, contractors, developers, and community members. Address complex customer concerns and support effective communication throughout the development process.

• Support Strategic Planning and Code Compliance: Assist with departmental budgeting, resource planning, policy development, and implementation of operational initiatives. Monitor changes to building codes, legislation, and industry standards to ensure continued compliance and organizational readiness.

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency; 9+ years’ experience in supervisory level residential/commercial construction inspection, plans review, construction or related work

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Level III certification in all five of the following: Plumbing Inspection, Mechanical Inspection, Electrical Inspection, Fire Inspector, Building Inspector

Preferred Qualifications:

• International Code Council (ICC) certifications relevant to building inspections, plan review, or building code administration
• Extensive experience administering and enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code in a municipal or county government environment
• Demonstrated experience managing building inspection and plan review operations, including supervising multidisciplinary technical teams
• Advanced knowledge of commercial and residential construction methods, building systems, and applicable codes and standards
• Experience developing operational performance measures, evaluating staffing needs, managing budgets, and implementing process improvements
• Familiarity with electronic permitting, inspection management, and plan review software, including Tyler Technologies EnerGov or similar systems
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors, architects, engineers, developers, and regulatory agencies to resolve complex construction and code compliance issues

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the North Carolina State Building Code, applicable state statutes, administrative regulations, and local code enforcement procedures
• Thorough understanding of residential and commercial construction methods, materials, structural systems, and building safety principles
• Knowledge of building inspection, construction plan review, permitting, and code compliance operations
• Understanding of supervisory practices, employee development, performance management, and organizational leadership
• Knowledge of budgeting, resource allocation, operational performance measures, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with electronic permitting systems, inspection management technology, and data-driven decision-making

Skill in:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical requirements clearly and professionally
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills for evaluating code compliance issues and developing practical solutions
• Effective conflict resolution, negotiation, and customer service skills when addressing sensitive or complex construction-related matters
• Organizational and project management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, manage resources, and meet service delivery expectations
• Proficiency in interpreting construction documents, evaluating operational data, and using technology to improve business processes

Ability to:

• Interpret and consistently apply complex building codes, laws, regulations, and departmental policies
• Lead teams, establish clear expectations, make sound decisions, and maintain accountability in a dynamic work environment
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City leadership, regulatory agencies, industry professionals, and the public
• Manage competing priorities, respond to complex technical challenges, and make timely decisions while maintaining public safety
• Identify operational inefficiencies, implement improvements, and adapt to evolving technology, legislation, and construction practices
• Balance regulatory enforcement with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach that supports responsible development and excellent customer service

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort: Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work on a construction site or in a vehicle.

Work Exposures: Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures. Employees may occasionally be exposed to loud noises (85+ decibels average over 8‑hour working day such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction).

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.