Building Inspection - Building Official

General Description

Under general direction of the Planning & Development Services Director, this position manages day-to-day operations of the Building Inspections division of Planning and Development Services with integrity and professionalism. The Building Official supervises building inspectors, ensures compliance with the City’s adopted building codes, and investigates/mediates code and complaint issues with developers, contractors, and the public. This position also provides support to Boards and Commissions as needed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over Building Inspections activities and personnel.

Important And Essential Duties

Coordinate staffing and operational activities for commercial, residential, and commercial plan reviews and inspections.

Work closely with administrative staff to coordinate and maintain accurate records of inspections and plan reviews.

Develop, manage, and implement division goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. Establish departmental and City policies, services, and staffing levels while allocating appropriate resources.

Select, train, motivate, and evaluate building inspections personnel.

Provide and/or coordinate staff training.

Develop corrective action plans with employees to correct deficiencies.

Implement discipline and termination procedures.

Confer with architects, engineers, builders, contractors, various agencies, and the public regarding matters related to the Building Inspections division.

Develop and manage the budget for the Building Inspections division, including projections for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approval of divisional expenditures; and implementation of adjustments as needed.

Provide complex technical and managerial support to the Director of Planning and Development Services.

Coordinate staff activities directed towards those boards that receive staff support from this division; develop and review staff reports related to building inspections division activities; present reports to boards, committees, and City Council.

Participate with and attend professional group meetings; remain abreast of new trends, innovations, and legislation within the field of building inspections.

Operate a personal and/or City vehicle to and from work sites, meetings, and activities.

Other Job-related Duties

Direct special projects and research assigned.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge Of

Operational characteristics, services and activities of comprehensive building inspections programs.

Organizational and management practices applicable to the analysis and evaluation of program, policies, and operational needs.

Complex principles and practices of building inspections program development and management.

Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Research methods and sources of information related to the area of building inspections.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skill To

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel, delegate authority and responsibility.

Provide management and professional leadership and direction for the building inspections division.

Ability To

Identify and respond to community and board issues, concerns, and needs.

Identify, coordinate, and resolve those items of interest within this division, while gaining cooperation through discussion and persuasion.

Develop, implement, and manage the goals, objectives, and procedures necessary to provide effective and efficient building inspections services; prepare and manage budget; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including people both internally and externally.

Perform onsite building inspections for safety, code, and ordinance compliance with building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience And Training Guidelines

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspections including two (2) years of supervisory responsibility is required.

Education/Training

High school diploma or GED is required.

A bachelor’s degree or an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in areas relative to the area of building inspections is preferred.

License Or Certificate

A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

For consideration, the applicant shall possess at least two (2) of the following six (6) certifications and will be required to obtain additional certifications as part of the position’s performance expectations.

• ICC Certified Building Official (CBO)
• Texas State Licensed Plumbing Inspector
• ICC Residential Plans Examiner
• ICC Building Plans Examiner
• ICC Electrical Inspector
• ICC Mechanical Inspector

Note: Certified Building Official (CBO) – First priority certification (if not currently certified) shall be obtained within eighteen (18) months of employment is required.

Special Requirements

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes For How Often

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_ Standing

_M_ Sitting

_M_ Walking

_ I_ Lifting

_ I_ Carrying

_I_ Pushing/Pulling

_A_ Overhead Work

_A _ Fine Dexterity

_I_ Kneeling

_I_ Crouching

_A_ Crawling

_M_ Bending

_M_ Twisting

_I _ Climbing

_I_ Balancing

_E_ Vision

_E_ Hearing

_M_ Talking

___ Other: _____________________