DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT

Salary : $116,474.28 - $135,490.16 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Executive Level
Job Number: 38714
Department: Houston Public Works
Division: Houston Permitting Center (HPC)
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 11:59 PM Central


POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

JOB CLASSIFICATION: DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - INSPECTIONS MEP
DIVISION: HOUSTON PERMITTING CENTER - CONSTRUCTION & COMPLIANCE
REPORTING LOCATION: 1002 WASHINGTON AVENUE, HOUSTON, TX 77002
WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00AM - 5:00PM*
* Subject to change

ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS Houston Public Works (HPW) plays a vital role in ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for our city. We oversee the planning, operation, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the City's public infrastructure, including our roadways, bridges, drainage systems, and parks. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 3,900 employees, we are constantly striving for excellence in delivering essential services to our community.


Houston Permitting Center's Building Code Enforcement Branch administers & enforces over 400 permit types for the City of Houston and its jurisdictions, annually reviews over 65,000 commercial and residential plans, and performs over 800,000 inspections annually related to permitting & regulatory operations.


We are seeking an experienced and strategic Deputy Assistant Director to lead key enforcement teams within Building Code Enforcement. This role is crucial in ensuring compliance with building codes, ordinances, and regulations while promoting public safety and integrity in Houston's built environment.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Under the direction of the Building Official, the Deputy Assistant Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing operations. This position is responsible for managing multiple technical divisions, ensuring compliance with building codes and ordinances, and driving efficiency in permitting, and inspection processes. The role requires collaboration with internal teams, external stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to maintain safety and integrity in Houston's built environment. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Coordinate the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the operating budget and group expenditures.
• Represent the department with other governmental agencies, staff of elected officials, private sector firms, the general public, and in public hearings and meetings related to the Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing groups.
• Develop and interpret codes, ordinances, and specifications related to Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing operations.
• Manage, train, develop, counsel, and evaluate staff performance.
• May assume the duties of the Building Official during periods of absence.

The selected candidate will be pivotal in guiding teams, setting priorities, and driving key objectives that align with the Department's mission. The position also requires fostering cross-departmental collaboration to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in enforcement efforts.


Key Priorities include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership & Team Development - Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to managers and technical teams while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Code Compliance & Enforcement - Ensure consistent interpretation and application of building codes, ordinances, and regulations to protect public safety and maintain the integrity of Houston's built environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Represent the department in meetings and hearings, and communicate effectively with property owners, developers, city officials, and the public to ensure transparency and trust in enforcement procedures.
• Operational Efficiency - Oversee operational performance by reviewing and assessing KPIs and metrics to enhance processes related to permit issuance, compliance inspections, and investigations to improve service delivery.
• Integrity & Professionalism - Uphold the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability in all decision making processes.

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is physically comfortable; the individual has some discretion about standing, walking, etc.

This is a Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.


Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.


EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Seven years of progressively more complex/responsible administrative experience are required, with at least three of the years in a supervisory capacity.


A Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a field closely related to the work being performed may be substituted for two years of experience.


LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston driving policy (A.P. 2-2).

PREFERENCES


The ideal candidate for this position will possess a strong technical background in building code enforcement, exceptional leadership abilities, and a strategic mindset to drive efficiency and innovation within the department. An ideal candidate should possess the following:

• ICC Certifications - Certified Building Official (CBO), Code Enforcement Officer, or ICC certifications in building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing trades.
• Code Expertise - In-depth knowledge of IBC, IRC, Houston Construction Code, and related regulations. Strong understanding of permit issuance and regulatory compliance.
• Enforcement & Compliance Knowledge - Experience in code investigations, occupancy and habitability inspections, and sign regulation enforcement.
• Strategic Leadership - Proven ability to develop and implement enforcement strategies for efficiency and compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Expertise in dispute resolution, community relations, and balancing enforcement with development goals.
• Effective Communication Skills - Strong written and verbal skills for policy guidance, enforcement updates, and stakeholder outreach.
• Disaster & Emergency Experience - Experience handling unsafe structures, natural disasters, and emergency regulatory actions.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.


SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.


SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.


PAY GRADE 30

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at:

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call View phone number on click.appcast.io).

If you need special services or accommodations, call View phone number on click.appcast.io). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit
01


Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02


Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the Above

03


If you answered that you have a college degree what was your field of study?

• Related field of study (Ex. Construction, Building, Safety, Engineering, and similar career fields of study).
• Non-related field of study
• I do not have a degree

04


Which best describes your years of experience that relates to the duties of this position?

• I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.
• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 9 - 10 years
• 11 years or more

05


In 250 words or less, describe your experience with the administration, enforcement, and/or development of building codes. If none, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)
06


Which best describes your years of experience in a managerial and/or executive leadership capacity?

• I have no managerial experience
• Less than 3 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 years or more

07


Are you a current employee at the Houston Permitting Center?

• Yes
• No

08


Briefly describe your strategy for ensuring transparency and accountability in enforcement decisions.
09


What steps do you take to stay current with changes in building codes and enforcement regulations?
10


Briefly describe how you ensure fair and consistent enforcement of building codes across different types of properties.
11


Provide a recommendation on how a city should manage the balance between strict code enforcement and economic development in the city.
12


Do you have a current/ valid Texas Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question