Assistant Building Official

Job Title

Under limited supervision, this position performs supervisory, technical and enforcement duties to ensure enforcement and compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Industrialized Building and Manufactured Home Safety Regulations, Virginia Amusement Device Regulations, and the Flood Proofing and Elevation (FEMA) regulations. Reports to the Building Official.

Job Description

Provides assistance to the Building Official in the overall management and administration of codes compliance operations; provides assistance with and interprets and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to ensure compliance and consistent inspection practices; reviews and or oversees commercial and residential building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical, and fire protection plans for compliance with codes; reviews site plans to ensure compliance with flood elevation requirements; prepares and recommends formal building code changes; interprets building codes and clarification of building related issues. Reviews and approves construction drawings and plans; grants building releases for electricity and certificates of use and occupancy; inspects city-owned properties for violations of the building code; completes appropriate paperwork; performs routine and non-routine inspections of various properties, to include city owned properties, for violations of the building code, to include electrical, plumbing, building and mechanical inspections; addresses building code inquiries, inspection requests and citizen complaints. Responsible for effective supervision and administration of budget preparation and monitoring of expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities; and establishes systems for ensuring city and departmental personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered. Provides expert court testimony on building code interpretation and enforcement procedures, as necessary; acts as Secretary to Portsmouth Board of Building Code Appeals; delivers presentations to various committees, civic groups and organizations regarding building codes; serves as a member of various committees, panels, commissions, etc., and provides input based on expertise and observations, as appropriate. Conducts research, and prepares correspondence and reports to provide information for effective management decisions; conducts informative workshops on code changes for Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Developers and the general public; serves as a technical advisor to city departments, to include the Department of Planning, Public Works, Engineering and the Economic Development. Resolves non-routine situations; confers with supervisors and Inspectors to discuss new code interpretations, clarifications and changes; provides guidance to Inspectors on appropriate enforcement and provides assistance to Permit Technicians in the issuance of permits. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Has considerable knowledge of the extensive inspection practices and procedures of the department. Has considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing building safety and public safety. Has considerable knowledge of the departmental procedures used to perform building inspections. Has considerable knowledge of the principles and procedures associated with the organization, planning and supervision of staff. Is able to perform building and device inspections and supervise staff responsible for building and device inspections. Is skilled in the use of a ruler, architect/engineering scale and various types of office equipment. Is skilled in the writing and review of technical reports. Is able to make effective oral and written presentations. Is able to exercise independent judgement and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Management, or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspections, electrical, mechanical or a plumbing trade, or a related field, and 2-3 years of supervisory management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master Tradesman License in Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing/Gas Fitting or NICET III certification in fire protection systems preferred. Must obtain International Code Council and/or the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certification as a Combination Inspector (commercial and residential); International Code Council and/or the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certification as a Building Plans Examiner; and International Code Council and/or the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certification as a Building Official; and Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) certified Amusement Device Inspector certification required within three (3) years of hire. Certification in Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study (FEMA IS) 100, 200, 700, 800 required within one (1) year of hire. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. This position is considered essential personnel and requires attendance and work during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

Physical Demands

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery including computers, calculators and copiers, etc. Must be physically able to operate an automobile. Must be capable of pushing and pulling up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 10 lbs. of force constantly and/or a negligible amount of force constantly pounds of force frequently to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are for Sedentary Work.

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors; giving instructions, assignment or directions to subordinates and advising the public on divisional policies.

Requires the ability to read a variety of inspection reports, codes, policy manuals, guidelines, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, permits, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, legal, mechanics and electrical terminology.

Requires the ability to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs: perform calculations involving variables, formulas and square roots; performs calculations with a variety of theoretical mathematical concepts and makes original application of mathematical procedures.

Requires the ability to interpret zoning maps, architectural drawings, site plans, etc., to ensure the compliance to city policies; requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and inspection tools.

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and inspection tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Work environment is not typically stressful; however, it may become stressful when dealing with people who are under stress and multiple work functions.

Requires the ability to talk and hear; (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.