Building Official

Job Title: Building Official Wage/ Status: Exempt
Reports to: Deputy Town Manager or Designee HR Revised: December 2024

Department: Planning and Development

General Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Town Manager or designee, the Building Official organizes, coordinates, leads, and oversees all building plan review, permitting, inspection, and code compliance relative to all non-infrastructure construction activities with the Town. In coordination and collaboration with multiple departments with jurisdiction over permitting a development project, this position exerts considerable independence and authority to lead development review and approval processes and ensure that buildings and structures in the Town are constructed safely and well-designed in accordance with all established development codes, ordinances, and regulations. This position may have supervisory responsibilities for other positions within the Department of Planning and Development.

Essential Qualifications

Education/Certification:

• Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major course work in Architecture, Building Sciences, Construction, or a related field required.
• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Each additional year of experience beyond the minimum required below may substitute for one year of minimum education required up to an undergraduate degree.
• International Council of Codes (ICC) certification as a Certified Building Official required within six (6) months from date of hire.
• ICC certification as a Building Plans Examiner, Residential Building Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector required at time of hire.
• State of Texas Plumbing Inspector’s license is preferred.

Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of experience in building inspection services and management (including plan review and permitting) in a municipal setting; or the equivalent in education, training, and experience.
• Experience ensuring compliance with other development related codes, ordinances, and regulations is highly desirable.
• Ability to complete a criminal background check, with acceptable results, as determined by the Town of Westlake. Fingerprinting is necessary due to interactions on the Westlake Academy campus.
• Must possess a Texas State Class C Driver’s License or the ability to obtain by the date of hire.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interpret and enforce building codes; to guide the permitting process and other applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations, state and local permitting procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, develop, and administer programs and functions for the establishment and compliance of building and property standards.
• Working knowledge and understanding of architecture and urban planning principles and practices and the ability to apply those principles and practices in a manner that contributes positively to the development and growth of the Town.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical materials accurately and effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with other Town Departments and residents, business owners, property owners, developers, builders, contractors, consultants, engineers and other members in the real estate development and construction communities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and third-party software applications (i.e., MyGov).

Performance Responsibilities:

General Expectations for All Employees:

For our Westlake team to serve our customers (internal and external) with superior services that are accessible, efficient, cost effective, and transparent, we hold these expectations for all employees:

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and Town (municipal &
• academic) goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to assess personal work performance and/or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and when applicable, encourage and/or mentor teammates to do the same.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as Town’s Building Official, and reviews plans for regulatory compliance and also manages third-party building inspections operations retained by the Town.
• As required by the Deputy Town Manager or designee, participates actively on the Town Leadership Team and the initiatives this Team pursues as well as provides support and leadership to the Town’s development team (in cooperation with the Director of Planning & Development, Development Coordinator, Building Inspectors, Fire Marshal, Clerical Staff, etc.)
• Ensures that the design and construction of all buildings and structures are in compliance with the Town’s Code of Ordinances, as amended, zoning regulations and rules, and with adopted building and life safety codes, regulations, and standards; and constantly monitors the progress of construction projects.
• Utilizing technology wherever practical and cost effective, this position designs, and routinely monitors for improvement, all Town building construction permitting and code compliance systems to ensure that they are current, efficient, understandable, quantifiable, and easily monitored.
• Forges strategic partnerships with developers, contractors, builders, and other design professionals regarding the application of building design, code compliance, building construction work scope, and building construction schedules.
• Reviews and examines building plans, and sign permit applications, as well as administers tree mitigation requirements attendant to building construction, issues building permits, sign permits, and certificates of occupancy, all of which is done in compliance with Town ordinances and building related codes to ensure high quality construction that comports to the Town’s vision for growth and development.
• Remains abreast of current building construction methods and best practices, including building-related codes, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing and makes recommendations to the Town Council, the Town Manager, and the Deputy Town Manager on amendments or adoptions to ordinances, regulations, and rules of the Town in response changing building construction methods and techniques.
• May serves as Code Enforcement Officer.
• Participates in Development Review Committee (DRC) Meetings and assists the Town Manager, the Deputy Town Manager, and Town Department Directors with construction projects as required.
• As requested by the Town Manager or Deputy Town Manager, prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence as required at public and private meetings.
• Regularly inspects building construction sites to ensure adherence to approved zoning, design standards, plans, and specifications, ensuring a high quality of workmanship.
• Attends all relevant meetings with regards to overseeing the completion of building construction projects.
• Is a continuous learner; always seeking professional development to be able to perform at the highest possible level for the organization.
• Assists in the development and administration of departmental budget.
• Leads third-party building inspection and plan review contracts, efforts, and services.
• Coordinates with relevant third-party consultants on plan reviews and building inspections to ensure relevant design and safety standards are enforced.

Other Duties:

• Participates in the development of departmental and organizational goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; coordinates work activities to ensure compliance with established ordinances and regulations.
• Understands and applies general and specific administrative/departmental policies and procedures.
• Makes public presentations, as necessary.
• Displays strong work ethic, ability to manage multiple priorities, punctuality for work according to assigned work schedule(s).
• Performs other duties and special projects, as required.

Evaluation:

The performance of this job will be evaluated at least annually by the Deputy Town Manager or his / her designee.

Supervisory Responsibility:

At the discretion of the Deputy Town Manager or designee, the Building Official may have supervisory responsibility over some positions within the Department of Planning and Development.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

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

Tools/Equipment: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals. The Building Official will also have a vehicle to conduct site visits and perform inspections. Requires the ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception for making observations, operating assigned equipment, and communicating with others.

Hand tools; power tools; driving light truck or van.

Posture: Frequent standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Repetitive hand motion; frequent keyboarding and use of a mouse; regular

grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension and overhead reaching.

Frequent walking, climbing stairs/ladders/scaffolding, frequent driving.

Lifting: Heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over) on an occasional basis.

Environment: Work outside and inside, on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; frequent

exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, dust, toxic chemicals, and fumes, noise, vibration, and electrical hazards; work around gas lines; work around machinery with moving parts; may work in tight or enclosed spaces; may work alone, frequent local city travel.

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

Disclaimer:

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,598.00 - $113,433.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $95,598 - $113,433