Building Commissioner

POSITION: Building Commissioner

DEPARTMENT: Building Department

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY: EXE (Executive)

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Building Commissioner for Steuben County Building Commission Department, responsible for supervising assigned personnel and completing and enforcing requirements of building codes and ordinances.

DUTIES :

Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants and making hiring decisions, providing training and orientation, making work assignments, evaluating, providing corrective instruction and terminating as necessary.

Enforces County and State building codes and ordinances. Initiates administrative enforcement actions, including, but not limited to issuing appropriate code violation notices, orders to stop work, and preparing orders forbidding occupancy. Testifies in court and presents records and documents as required. Works cooperatively with the public and assists State and other local officials as needed regarding building code enforcement.

Responds to inquiries and provides information to builders, architects, and the public regarding building codes, permits, and related ordinances, plans, and policies. Explains purpose of codes and why construction must meet codes, discusses how to alleviate violations, and advises citizens of proper procedures in obtaining building permits.

Processes applications for commercial and residential building and related permits, such as plumbing, heating and electrical, including reviewing construction blueprints/plans, inspecting or assigning inspection of sites before, during and/or after construction to determine compliance with applicable codes and standards, and issuing permits as appropriate. Processes applications or various contractor licenses, including giving tests, completing forms, and issuing licenses.

Receives and investigates complaints of alleged violations of various codes, including performing on-site inspections, notifying violators and discussing or negotiating resolution.

Performs inspections on new construction with valid permits, including checking footing, foundations, structural framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical safety, and fire protection to determine compliance with applicable laws, codes, ordinances, and specifications concerning construction. Reviews building and project plans for compliance with building and zoning ordinances and State building codes.

Initiates legal action for unresolved violations, including halting construction, notifying legal counsel, and testifying in court as required.

Administers Department budget, including authorizing payroll and other expenditures, monitoring account balances, and ensuring cost-effective operations.

Maintains current knowledge of applicable State and County codes by regularly reviewing and studying codes, standards and related revisions, and attending seminars and meetings.

Prepares and updates building and housing-related ordinances and resolutions as needed. Attends meetings and makes related policy recommendations as needed, including Board of Commissioners and County Council.

Serves on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS :

High school diploma or HSE with a minimum of three (3) years of related experience. Associates degree or Bachelor’s degree in building construction or related area, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

Possession of or ability to obtain a Commercial Building Certification within one (1) year of employment and ability to maintain certification.

Possession of or ability to obtain required certification within one (1) year of employment, including International Conference of Building Officials as Building Inspector, and International Code Council (ICC) as a Certified Building Official.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department policies and procedures, and State and County building codes and ordinances, with knowledge of principles, methods, safety rules, and equipment used in construction trades.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of State and local building codes, including Uniform Building Code, One- and two- Family Dwelling Codes, and related codes regarding energy, swimming pools, handicapped accessibility, and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical trades.

Thorough knowledge of standard budget process and principles and ability to perform arithmetic calculations to prepare and administer Department budget.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, Department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, various boards, regulating agencies, building trades contractors, builders, architects, property owners, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Shall comply with employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to effectively supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants and making hiring decisions, providing training and orientation, making work assignments, evaluating, providing corrective instruction and terminating as necessary.

Ability to enforce County and State building codes and ordinances and initiate administrative enforcement actions, including but not limited to issuing appropriate code violation notices, orders to stop work, and preparing orders forbidding occupancy.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure.

Ability to read and interpret detailed prints, specifications, property legal descriptions, plat maps and aerials, and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to prepare and make public speaking presentations and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, microfiche reader, fax machine, and telephone.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to regularly work extended and evening hours, occasionally work weekends, and occasionally travel out of town for continuing education, sometimes overnight.

Ability to serve on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK :

Incumbent's duties are broad in scope and impact, involving many variables and considerations. Incumbent uses a wide variety of state and local codes, ordinances, legal procedures and professional expertise to ensure properties are in compliance with building requirements, exercising independent judgment in interpreting precedents and applying codes to varying situations.

RESPONSIBILITY :

Incumbent receives administrative direction from the Board of County Commissioners with purpose and desired results clearly indicated. Incumbent makes extensive contributions to the development of Department objectives, policies and procedures, discussing unprecedented situations with Commissioners at incumbent's discretion. Work is reviewed primarily for adherence to instructions/guidelines, technical accuracy, soundness of judgment, and compliance with department policy. Incumbent’s decisions have considerable impact on builders and property owners and errors in decision could result in possible litigation against the County.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS :

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, various boards, regulating agencies, building trades contractors, builders, architects, property owners, and the public, for the purposes of exchanging and explaining information, directing and coordinating Department operations, interpreting and enforcing ordinances, and negotiating and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and outdoors in the field at various project sites, involving exposure to varying weather conditions, driving, sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighting less than 25 pounds, pushing/pulling, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, keyboarding, close/far vision, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent serves on 24-hour call for emergencies. Incumbent may be exposed to irate/hostile individuals

Incumbent is regularly required to work extended and evening hours, occasionally required to work weekends, and occasionally required to travel out of town for continuing education, sometimes overnight.

OTHER :

The Building Commissioner position is an appointive position of the County Commissioners. Specific job duties and job requirements are established at the discretion of the County Commissioners. A person appointed to the Building Commissioner position serves at the pleasure of the County Commissioners, works exclusively for the County Commissioners, and may be terminated by the County Commissioners at any time.