Director of Building & Safety

City of Fontana; Fontana (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fontana seeks a seasoned Director of Building & Safety to lead the Building & Safety, Fire Prevention, and Code Enforcement divisions. The role requires oversight of plan checks, inspections, code enforcement, and interdepartmental coordination with City leadership.

Strong budgeting, staff development, and public-facing communication are essential. You will work with developers, design professionals, residents, and City staff to ensure compliance with codes, safety standards, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, or closely related field; ten years progressively responsible experience in plan check and inspection; seven years supervisory experience.
• Alternative: Bachelor's degree with eight years of plan check/inspection experience, including five years of supervisory experience; municipal experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate Building & Safety, Fire Prevention, and Code Enforcement divisions; oversee plan check, inspections, and code enforcement activities.
• Prepare staff reports, presentations, and correspondence for City leadership and public meetings.
• Develop and administer department budget; forecast staffing, equipment, and contract needs; monitor expenditures.
• Direct staff training, performance evaluations, and discipline when required; supervise professional, technical, and clerical staff.
• Coordinate with other departments and external agencies; act as technical advisor to City Manager and City Council.
• Represent the department in public meetings and maintain strong customer service with residents and developers.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Code compliance

Plan review

Inspection management

Public speaking

Customer service

Staff supervision

Regulatory knowledge

Team coordination

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, or closely related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

*RECRUITMENT TIMELINE:

Initial review of applications: August 20, 2026

First round of interviews: Week of September 9, 2026

All dates above are tentative and are subject to change.

Under administrative direction from the Deputy City Manager (DCM), directs, manages and coordinates the activities of the Building & Safety, Fire Prevention, and Code Enforcement Divisions; oversees and renders interpretations of a comprehensive set of municipal and state building, fire, zoning, and land use codes in order to protect its citizens and their property from conditions which are injurious to the health, safety or welfare of the general public and may be detrimental to property values and community appearance; coordinates plan check, inspection activities, neighborhood improvement, and preservation programs with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; responds, when appropriate to inquiries, concerns, and complaints by the public; attends meetings and makes presentations, prepares reports, memoranda, letters, and other forms of correspondence; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the DCM. Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Position Snapshot/A Day in the Life:

The Director of Building & Safety collaborates with developers, contractors, design professionals, residents, and City departments to address permitting, plan review, inspections, and code compliance. Time is also dedicated to resolving complex issues, overseeing departmental performance and managing budgets.

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Develop, plan, and implement Department, goals, and objectives; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage, direct, and organize plan check, building/fire inspection, and code enforcement activities, including with other departments, contractors, developers, and residents.
• Direct, oversee, and participate in the development of the plan check, building/fire inspection, and code enforcement work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Direct, oversee, and participate in the development of the Department’s work plans; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Direct, oversee, and participate in the development and administration of Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement mid-year and quarterly adjustments.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Direct the evaluation, selection, and administration of outside consulting contracts for Department’s related services; evaluate and prepare recommendations regarding the retention of consultants.
• Coordinate Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide complex technical and administrative support to the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Council; prepare and present staff reports, surveys, and other necessary correspondence.
• Make public presentations before City Council, Planning Commission, and other governmental and private groups, and organizations; attend all City Council meetings as Department’s staff representative.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and committees; meet with and advise individual property owners and community associations on Department matters as needed.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Prepare ordinances and ordinance amendments related to building, fire, and code enforcement activities.
• Render interpretations of building and fire codes.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the City Management staff and City Council on department related matters.
• Functions as a strategic thinker and advisor to the senior management team.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to and before public and private groups and organizations.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a variety of audiences.
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance.
• Sound judgement and attention to detail.
• Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer or as the situation requires.
• This position is always evolving. Therefore, employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting,crouching, grasping, and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. Incumbents may be required to lift, carry and/or push objects weighing 25 pounds or more. The position requires near and far vision when inspecting work. Incumbents may work in all weather conditions, and may be exposed to fumes, dust, and air contaminants, drive motorized vehicles, and work around moving traffic.

Knowledge of:

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation
  of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management.
• California Code of Regulations Title 24, Title 25, and the base model codes, as well as referenced standards and Fontana’s Municipal Code.
• Principles of structural design, engineering mathematics, and building inspection.
• Modern methods of building construction.
• Research methods and sources of information related to building and fire codes as well as nuisance abatement.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Familiarity with building and safety standards, practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Relevant tools, software, and/or technology used within the role.
• Understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Principles and practices of excellent customer service.
• Safe work practices, OSHA regulations, and workplace health and safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Ability to:

• Administer a variety of plan check, building/fire inspections, and code enforcement activities.
• Analyze problems; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of City goals.
• Interpret Department’s policies and procedures to the general public.
• Identify and respond to public and City Council issues and concerns.
• Analyze, interpret, and check complex plan specifications, calculations, laws, and regulations.
• Assist in preparing ordinances and code amendments.
• Interpret building, fire and code enforcement policies and procedures to the public.
• Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules, and regulations as well as the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Title 25, and Fontana’s municipal code.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Prepare and administer a department budget.
• Supervise, motivate, and train team members effectively.
• Make sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Manage and resolve conflicts or disagreements constructively.
• Use a personal computer, telephone, and other electronic devices, to access information, complete documentation, and communicate effectively.
• Understand and follow both oral and written instructions accurately.
• Identify issues, evaluate data, and implement effective solutions (problem solving).
• Manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with others in a team environment.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

High School Diploma, or GED. Equivalent and relevant coursework, certifications, or vocational training in building technology, building construction, and/or related architectural disciplines, AND ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in plan check and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, which includes seven (7) years of administrative and supervisory experience.

OR Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, or a closely related field, AND a minimum of eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in plan check and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, which includes five (5) years of supervisory experience, in addition to the training/certificates listed below. Experience in a local municipality is preferred.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Possession of, and continuously throughout employment, a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License. Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building Plans Examiner and Building Inspector. Possession of an ICC certification as a Certified Building Official (CBO) and Certified Fire Marshal (CFM), or possession of either the CBO or CFM ICC Certification at employment inception with the ability to obtain the other ICC certification within one (1) year. Registration as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) with the Division of State Architect is highly desirable. Incumbents are required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest Form (700 Form) annually and ethics training bi-annually, pursuant to AB 1234.