Chief Code Official

First review of applications will be on May 2, 2025 - This position manages and oversees the permitting and inspection function of the Building Inspection Division, which is responsible for ensuring that residential, commercial, and industrial structures are constructed in full compliance with State Building Requirements and City Codes and Ordinances. The Division reviews and approves building plans, issues permits, and conducts on-site inspections for new and existing structures and properties.  In completing its mission, the Division ensures that the health and safety of the people who reside and/or work in the City is continually protected by developing and implementing approved departmental activities and programs as they pertain to building safety.

• Must possess Uniform Dwelling Code HVAC, Electric, and Construction Inspector, and Commercial Building certifications.
• Additional pay incentive of up to $4,000/year to hold Commercial Plumbing and Commercial Electrical certifications.

Salary may be negotiable for those Candidates with extensive experience and certifications.
The Chief Code Official is primarily responsible for the enforcement of all codes related to building, property maintenance, plumbing, electrical, heat ventilation, and air conditioning construction taking place within the City. In addition, the Division oversees compliance under the Zoning Ordinance. The Chief Code Official functions in the field up to 60% of the time, with the remainder of time spent in the office environment.

• Supervises, directs, and provides leadership to all Inspection and LTE staff.
• Works closely with the Building inspection Business Manager to establish Division objectives through the preparation of the annual Division budget.        
• Plans, organizes, and conducts the services required for assigned work area.  This includes establishing and implementing work procedures and reviewing work in progress to ensure that established standards are being fulfilled.
• Hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and prepares work assignments for the inspection staff.  This includes administering and enforcing city and departmental rules and regulations, procedures, and policies, as well as plans and strategies to encourage staff development and training.
• Assists the Building Inspection Business Manager with the development of staffing plans, revenue forecasts, and identification of future needs and goals for the Division.
• Prepares and recommends amendments to the Municipal Code when circumstances warrant.  This includes preparing the necessary revisions in cooperation with other operating departments that might be affected, thereby ensuring that the City's best interest is always maintained.
• Oversees and directs the review of building plans and construction drawings for structures, fireplaces, signs, plumbing, electrical and mechanical installations and related items to ensure that they conform with the City building, electrical mechanical, plumbing and zoning codes. Communicates any areas of noncompliance and discusses corrections to said plans with designers, applicants and/or property owners.
• Meets with development professionals and the public to provide information pertaining to City building and zoning requirements.        The position may provide verbal and/or written interpretations of the City Codes and Ordinances.  In addition, the position works with the Planning Division to review proposed uses of property to determine if the use is permitted under the zoning established for the property as identified by the City zoning ordinance.  
• Conducts on-site inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial structures to ensure that they are constructed in full compliance with established codes and ordinances. Reviews plats of surveys to ensure the structures are in the proper place as specified on the plans.
• Inspects the framing of new structures ensuring that they are constructed according to established Building Code.  Conducts mechanical inspections ensuring that the following areas are installed in full compliance with established codes: heating, cooling, and ventilating systems; steam and hot water heating systems; gas and solid fuel piping; and chimneys and vents.
• Conducts (if credentialed) or directs staff to conduct field inspections for underground plumbing and final stages of internal plumbing installations.  This includes inspecting water piping, drain and vent systems to ensure they are constructed in compliance with the Plumbing Code.
• Inspects (if credentialed) or directs staff to inspect all electrical installations to ensure that the electrical wiring design and methods are installed in compliance with the Electrical Code.
• Advises builders of violations and informs them of the corrections that are required in order to be in full compliance with the appropriate codes.  If the violations are not corrected, issues an official violation notice and may order that all work be stopped until the violation is corrected.
• Assist emergency services department heads with emergency planning and operations.
• Oversees and manages the contracted plan review process, including negotiation of periodic updates to the contract and day to day interpretation and administration of said contract. When applicable, performs or directs and oversees  internal plan review for the Division.
• Oversees the zoning inspection process, thereby ensuring that the Zoning Ordinance is compiled within both new and existing developments.
• Cooperates with personnel from other departments in the inspection process.  Conducts the final occupancy inspection and issues a Certificate of Occupancy when it is determined that the structure complies with all building code requirements.
• Maintains the records and files for the Division’s inspection operations.  
• Establishes the department's operational procedures and policies for inspections, which are within the constraints established by City policies and procedures.
• Responds to emergency situations as needed, which may involve weekend and after hours responses.
• Works collaboratively with the Building Inspection Business Manager and the IT department to maintain, manage and troubleshoot the online permitting and inspection software and workflow processes.

Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related field is required, or the equivalent amount of training and experience in the construction and inspection field. Seven to ten years of experience increasingly responsible work experience in the field of code inspection or construction management required.

Knowledge of

• The State and City of Sun Prairie building, zoning and related codes and ordinances; methods and practices of modern office filing and recordkeeping; and the principles and practices followed in preparing designs, plans and specifications. 

Ability to

• Utilize computer technology to access, retrieve or input information. Familiarity with MS Office applications including Excel and Outlook.
• Use high-level of discretion with decisions restricted only by departmental policies and little direct guidance from supervisors.
• Make critical decision making that could result in critical financial loss, property damage, or bodily harm/loss of life.
• Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures that could affect other departments.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and divisions to satisfy organizational needs.

Skill in

• Enforcing regulations with firmness and tact; interpreting building and zoning codes and ordinances; and dealing with the public, subordinates, contractors, and developers in a courteous and tactful manner.
• High-level of analytical ability to develop plans for a department or complex situation, including plans that involve integrating/involving/impacting other departments.
• Detecting deficiencies and violations in plans; interpreting and working from technical sketches and blueprints; interpreting relevant codes and ordinances; keeping operating records and preparing reports; expressing oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and providing leadership to a major municipal function.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
• Must possess Uniform Dwelling Code HVAC, Electric, and Construction Inspector, and Commercial Building certifications. Commercial Plumbing and Commercial Electrical certifications desirable.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in an office setting; Outside work (no effective protection from weather) is 60% of the time. Inside work is 40% of the time.
• The employee must be able to move about over rough and uneven terrain and assume awkward positions while performing inspection tasks; drive a vehicle and occasionally assist with snow removal on sidewalks.
• Physical agility and strength necessary to climb, stoop and access confined spaces to conduct inspections.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. 
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Salary : $105,088 - $110,838