Assistant Building Official - Town of Waterford

The Town of Waterford is seeking a State of CT Licensed Assistant Building Official. Waterford offers a professional and supportive working culture, fantastic benefits package, and opportunities for continued career training. This position is open until filled.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Assistant Building Official is responsible to perform work to support administration of the State Building Code and other codes referenced in the State Building Code. The Assistant Building Official supports the Building Official in reviewing, interpreting, and enforcing applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. The position involves a thorough knowledge of the Connecticut State Building Code and other codes referenced in the Connecticut State Building Code as well as all relevant Town of Waterford Codes adopted by ordinance.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES/FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists in administering the Building Code including permitting, enforcement, and inspections as assigned by the Building Official.

2. Performs building inspections throughout the construction of residential, commercial and industrial projects.

3. Assigns work to and/or supervises inspectors and others, when requested by the Building Official or in the Building Official’s absence.

4. Reviews building permit applications as assigned, including related construction plans and documentation and reviews for code compliance. Participates in reviews and consultations with other Town Departments concerning major building projects. Provides timely action on applications for building permits. Evaluates construction costs and reviews estimates related to building permit applications.

5. Confers with and interprets code provisions to architects, engineers, contractors and to the general public. Evaluates and authorizes changes to approved plans in consultation with other Departments.

6. Educates contractors and the public on permit requirements, codes and licensing requirements. Assists the Building Official with maintenance of permitting guidance documents and updates of Town media, including the Town website to convey information on permit requirements.

7. Issues Building and Demolition Permits. In the absence of the Building Official, issues Certificates of Occupancy. Oversees construction work in progress for conformity with codes and regulations. Evaluates the results of various tests, such as soils and materials tests, to assure compliance with standards.

8. Coordinates with the Floodplain Manager to review permit applications in FEMA regulated flood zones. Assists the Floodplain Manager with reviewing cost evaluations to determine compliance with Substantial Improvement or Substantial Damage assessments. Assists Floodplain Manager with maintaining records of elevation certificates.

9. Assists the Building Official with coordination of building inspection and zoning review work with the Planning and Zoning Commission Staff. Works closely with the Director of Public Works, Utility Commission Inspectors, Ledge Light Health District, and Fire Marshal in inspection and review of duties as assigned by the Building Official.

10. Responds to and investigates complaints of code and applicable ordinance violations. Under the direction of the Building Official, manages enforcement actions, testifies in court and determines requirements to address code compliance issues arising from unpermitted or after-the-fact work.

11. Assists in the preparation of and/or prepares narrative and statistical reports of some complexity for various boards, state and federal agencies when requested by the Building Official.

12. Assists the Building Official with budget preparation for the Building Department.

13. Advises, or assists in advising, Boards, Commissions and Building Committees on code requirements for Town projects when requested by the Building Official.

14. In the absence of the Building Official, is the contact for emergency calls from dispatch when applicable building related emergencies arise, whether during or outside of regular business hours.

15. Assists Building Official with maintenance of permit records and digital records for the Building Department.

16. Attends training programs and reads technical reports to keep informed on changes in codes and applicable laws and regulations.

17. Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.

**The essential duties/functions described above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills & Ability):

The Assistant Building Official shall have the qualifications and be certified under the provisions of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Section 29-262.

Knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and general construction codes used in Connecticut. Knowledge of building construction materials and methods and stages of construction when possible violations and effects may be observed most advantageously and corrected.

Knowledge of legal procedures involved in the enforcement of building codes.

Ability to utilize the relevant Town permitting software system to maintain current records regarding application, permit, inspection, and enforcement status.

Knowledge of engineering as applied to the design of reinforced concrete, steel and similar structures.

Knowledge of fire prevention practices, accepted requirements for safe exit facilities and other essential and mandatory safety requirements.

Skill in applying knowledge of all applicable building codes. Ability to enforce applicable codes and ordinances with firmness and tact.

Considerable ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

Ability to analyze and recommend possible changes to local ordinances, and to apply applicable codes and ordinances uniformly.

Ability to read and interpret complex plans, specifications and blueprints. Ability to work accurately with names, numbers, colors, codes and/or symbols. Ability to use measuring equipment, tape measures, levels, laser levels, including electrical testing equipment. Ability to maintain accurate records and general reports.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both technical and lay audiences; the ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner as well as the ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to prioritize, organize and perform work independently; ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities and the ability to make decisions and act quickly.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

The Assistant Building Official to be eligible for appointment must have completed high school and have had education and training in the areas for which an Assistant Building Official is required to be generally informed (GCS 29-261). In addition, the Assistant Building Official shall have had three (3) years in total charge of building construction or had two (2) years of college or university study in engineering or design; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities. The Assistant Building Official shall be certified as required by CGS 29-262 and shall stay current with statutorily required continuing education to maintain license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to hear; speak; stand; walk; sit; bend; twist; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; climb steep terrain or stairs to various levels; use hands to finger, feel or operate equipment, tools or controls; use wrists for repetitive motion; reach with hands and arms; get in and out of vehicles; tolerate exposure to environmental allergens. Hand‑eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment.

The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions during the inspection of various land developments, i.e., construction sites and locations under study. While working outside, the employee may work near moving mechanical equipment and in precarious places, will have to access buildings, sites and properties which include rough terrain, be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold, extreme heat, rain, or snow, any of which may cause marked bodily discomfort, and risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and must be capable to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment.

Employee must be capable of driving an automobile during the conduct of his/her duties.

The employee must have the ability to maintain his/her composure with the public and co‑workers in every day stressful and emergency situations. Employee may occasionally have to function in situations where subjected to aggressive verbal behavior.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,587.00 - $88,234.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,587 - $88,234