What are the responsibilities and job description for the City of Kent – BUILDING SERVICES SUPERVISOR (Chief Building Official) position at BOCONEO?
BUILDING SERVICES SUPERVISOR (Chief Building Official)
Department: Community Development
Reports to: Community Development Director
Exempt, Classified
Updated: April 2025
RESPONSIBILITY
Under the general supervision of the Community Development Director, administers and
supervises the operations of the Division of Building Services. The Building Services Supervisor
ensures compliance with the Ohio Building Code, Ohio Mechanical Code, Residential Code of
Ohio for One, Two, and Three Family Dwellings, Ohio Plumbing Code, National Electric Code,
and Ohio Fire Code; International Energy Compliance Code, and Natural Fuel Gas Code; and
certain aspects of the City’s Codified Ordinances, including in the capacity as the City’s
Floodplain Administrator. The Building Services Supervisor is the Chief Building Official. Performs
other job-related duties as required by the Director.
TYPICAL TASKS
Responsible for supervision and management of the commercial and residential building plan
review procedures and the issuance of all building permits. Responsibilities include the timely
management of the plan review process and conveying to applicants clearly and succinctly all
specifications for construction and occupancy for all buildings in the City.
Examines plans or structures for all new construction, alterations and repair of commercial and
residential buildings to ensure compliance with all applicable Ohio Building Code regulations
and any applicable Kent Codified Ordinances regulations.
Supervises all Division of Building Services personnel and advises and instructs all inspectors
regarding building, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing
inspections and procedures.
Performs building inspections for all building systems and structures for which the Building Services
Supervisor has State of Ohio certifications. Provides in-person attendance and witnesses all tests
of building components and personally inspects building projects for building code compliance.
Provides information to the general public, architects, engineers, and contractors with respect
to building code regulations and interpretations of such codes, general construction problems,
and other building code related issues. Provides recommendations for building code
compliance.
Advises other plan examination and inspection personnel on building code interpretation and
application and provide in-house instruction and training in these areas to City inspectors and
consultants.
Testifies at public Board of Building Appeals hearings, as needed; attends, facilitates and/or
makes public presentations at meetings, and performs other job-related duties as directed by
the Community Development Director.
Writes technical, narrative, and statistical reports; utilizes personal computer and software
applications, including word processing, spreadsheet and the City’s web-based program for
review, inspection and permitting of commercial and residential construction projects.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The working environment of the Building Services Supervisor involves exposure to conditions
generally found in an office setting, in addition to conditions which involve working from heights,
such as from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs. The Building Services Supervisor works with office
equipment, such as computer hardware and software applications, telephones, tape recorders,
fax machines, copy machines, and appliances. Within the office setting, the Building Services
Supervisor will move, lift, and/or retrieve items of standard office use, such as paper by the ream
or box, file record storage boxes and office equipment. The Building Services Supervisor travels
as required, works outdoors when necessary, and works evening or weekend hours in addition to
a regular 40 hour work week when required.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
The Building Services Supervisor must possess current State of Ohio Certification as Building
Official, Building Inspector, and Residential Building Official from the Ohio Board of Building
Standards. In the alternative, State of Ohio interim certifications as a Building Official, Building
Inspector, and Residential Building Official are acceptable substitutions for the corresponding
permanent certifications on the condition that permanent certifications are obtained before the
interim certifications expire. Additional certification Plans Examiner and/or Residential Plumbing
Inspector is desired. The Building Services Supervisor must be in possession of a valid State of
Ohio driver’s license; must have a good driving record at the time of hire and be able to
maintain such good record as outlined in the City of Kent’s Motor Vehicle Safety and Usage
Policy.
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The Building Services Supervisor must possess a working knowledge of building design and
construction methods and practices applicable to ensuring compliance with the Ohio Building
Code, Ohio Mechanical Code, Residential Code of Ohio for One, Two, and Three Family
Dwellings, Ohio Plumbing Code, National Electric Code, and Ohio Fire Code; International
Energy Compliance Code, and Natural Fuel Gas Code; and develop a working knowledge of
the City’s Codified Ordinances applicable to the Building Services Division, including but not
limited to floodplain regulations.
The Building Services Supervisor must be skilled in technical, narrative, and statistical report
writing, in reading and analyzing building plans, site plans, and subdivision improvement plans to
determine code compliance and proper construction techniques; and must be proficient in
computer software and applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and web-based
applications and programs.
The Building Services Supervisor must possess effective communication skills to include the ability
to consult with and give technical assistance to general public, architects, engineers, and
contractors on building code interpretations; to testify at public Board of Building Appeals
hearings in a technically competent manner; to work effectively and courteously with the public
in order to promote acceptance and satisfaction while ensuring uniform enforcement of codes
and ordinances; to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and
City officials.
The Building Services Supervisor must possess management and supervisory skills to include the
ability to provide instruction for Division of Building Services employees, inspectors and
consultants; to make public presentations, facilitate meetings, and organize people; to assist
field inspectors in complex building projects; to perform routine office paperwork and to keep
appropriate records; to exercise considerable independent judgment when resolving conflicts
and implementing divisional policy objectives; to manage multiple priorities and work under
pressure with frequent work interruptions.
NECESSARY EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years experience as a Building Official and/or Plans Examiner in municipal or private
sector setting. Site plan review experience is also desirable. Must be a certified Residential
Building Official and Building Official as specified in the Ohio Administrative Code section 4101:7-
3-01.
Essential Job Functions
- Under the general supervision of the Community Development Director, administers and
supervises the operations of the Division of Building Services. The Building Services
Supervisor ensures compliance with the Ohio Building Code, Ohio Mechanical Code,
Residential Code of Ohio for One, Two, and Three Family Dwellings, Ohio Plumbing Code,
National Electric Code, and Ohio Fire Code; International Energy Compliance Code, and
Natural Fuel Gas Code; and certain aspects of the City’s Codified Ordinances, including
in the capacity as the City’s Floodplain Administrator. Performs other job-related duties as required by the Director.
- Advises architects, engineers, contractors, builders, realtors, attorneys, and homeowners
on issues related to building code interpretations. Supervises and instructs all inspectors
regarding building, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and
plumbing inspections and procedures. Performs inspections for complicated or unusual
projects.
- Testifies before the Board of Building Appeals and attends all the Board of Building
Appeals public hearings and meetings; attends other functions as directed.
- Maintains divisional office operations by performing routine office paperwork and
maintaining appropriate records; by exercising considerable independent judgment
when resolving conflicts and implementing divisional policy objectives; by managing
multiple priorities and working under pressure with frequent work interruptions.
- Lift items up to 50 lbs, walk up to 1 mile, climb stairs or ladders, bend, and crawl.
- Produce professional communications in electronic format, including email and entries
into web-based system, including use of a tablet while working in the field; proficient on a
computer, operates office equipment such as scanners, copiers, or other light office
equipment.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively while maintaining public records and
reports.
- The Building Services Supervisor travels as required, works outdoors when necessary, and
works evening or weekend hours in addition to a regular 40 hour work week when
required.
- Must be a certified Residential Building Official and Building Official as specified in the
Ohio Administrative Code section 4101:7-3-01.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the types of work that may be performed.
The omission of specific job duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar,
related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change as the
needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The City of Kent provides equal employment opportunities and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, military status, familial status, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation in all employment practices in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
