Chief Building Official

Description

Position Summary: 

Under administrative direction of City Manager, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operation of Inspections within the Building Inspections Department including plan review, issuance of building permits, and building construction inspection services, and activities through the enforcement of related laws, statutes, codes, and ordinances enacted by the state and federal government as well as the City of Stockbridge; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Inspections Division including plan review services, permit issuance services, inspection services, code development services, code interpretation services, neighborhood preservation services, code enforcement services; directs the enforcement of law, statues, codes and ordinances related to building construction, health and safety.
• Manages and participates in the development and the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency effectiveness of services delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for professional and technical employees to ensure that codes are properly enforced with uniformity, equity, and safety; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems. 
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel, provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures. 
• Ensures that the permit process moves smoothly and implements workflows to mitigate bottlenecks in the application, review, and issuance process.
• Manages the license process to ensure coordination with permits and license to maximize accuracy & efficiency.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Division’s annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Provides technical and professional advice; provides interpretation and decisions on applicable codes, rules, regulations, and technical problems of enforcement; answers procedural questions.
• Proposes and presents fee updates, code updates, and amendments to City Codes and ordinances.
• Serves as the liaison for the Inspections Division with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; prepares and coordinates reports and presentations on current building issues for City Council, community groups, and regulatory agencies as necessary.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Director of Community Development; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; assists with a variety of development, capital improvement, code enforcement, and related projects; develops and implements office automation strategies; recommends modifications to Inspections Division programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings, maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of building inspection and code enforcement including legislation, court rulings, and professional practices and techniques; incorporates new development as appropriate.
• Oversee the maintenance of records and files including those related to applications, permits, fees, and correspondence related to building matters; oversees the administration of automated permit tracking and code enforcement case tracking systems.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints including those from citizens, builders, contractors, and engineers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

These duties are typical for this classification.  Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.  In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree from an accredited college or university in Building Technology, Architecture, Civil Engineering or related field.
• Six years of increasingly responsible experience in building design inspection, construction, or structural analysis including two years of administrative supervisory responsibility.
• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building Inspector. 
• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building Official (CBO) is desirable. 
• Possession of a valid Georgia Class C Drivers' License
• The incumbent must possess International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Certified Building Official or be able to obtain certification within (12) months of hire date and (10) years of related experience).  Certified Commercial Plan Review and Certified Residential Plan Review License are also required.  Additionally, the incumbent must have a valid Georgia Driver’s License and maintain a satisfactory vehicle record. 
• Additional training in recognized institutions in architecture, engineering construction or similar programs is desirable.  A degree from an accredited college or university in a related field is preferred.
• Certification or experience as:
• ICC Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector
• ICC Certified Building Code Official
• Experience in Code Enforcement or certification as a Code Enforcement Officer from the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement (GACE).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive plan review, permit insurance, and building inspection program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles of civil engineering, structural design, engineering mathematics and soil engineering.
• Methods, materials and progressive steps used in the construction of buildings and related structures.
• Pertinent building related codes, ordinances, and regulations enforced by the City including the Uniform Building Code, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes, zoning ordinances, general land use codes, and related City codes and state mandate regulations.
• Principles and techniques used in building inspection work including those used to examine the quality of work and materials and to detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Fire prevention procedures and practices in new construction.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures.
• Permit processing procedures.
• Building plan review principles and practices.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.
• Proficiency with personal computers and Microsoft Office
• Oversee and participate in the management of comprehensive building inspection, permit issuance, and plans examination program.
• Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of lower-level staff.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objections, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, and techniques.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and enforce pertinent federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations including provisions of applicable building, safety, and zoning codes and ordinances, requirements to contractors, developers, and the general public. 
• Analyze, interpret, and accurately check complex building plans, specifications and calculations. 
• Enforce necessary information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Exercise independent judgement.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity of the community.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing,
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Building Technology, Architecture, Civil Engineering or related field