Chief Building Official

INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON AUGUST 19, 2026 Hiring Incentives: Hiring Incentive – paid in first paycheck: $1,000 Personal Leave credit in first paycheck: 40 hours Upon completion of probationary period and meets expectations on performance evaluation: $1,000 Upon completion of 3 years and meets expectations on performance evaluation: $1,500 Upon completion of 4 years and meets expectations on performance evaluation: $2,500 Upon completion of 5 years and meets expectations on performance evaluation: $3,000 TOTAL: $9,000 Definition Under general direction, plans, coordinates and directs a variety of activities and functions related to project plan examining, permitting, and conducting code compliance inspections within the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department; ensures compliance with County building codes, ordinances and regulations; conducts investigations and prepares cases related to actions aimed at enforcement; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community Development Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general direction from the Community Development Director. Exercises direct and general supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff. Class Characteristics This is a management classification that manages all Building and Safety Division activities of the Community Development Department, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Community Development Director in a variety of areas. The incumbent also serves as the Code Compliance Officer. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned functions with other divisions and departments. This class is distinguished from the Community Development Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions of the department and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Responsibilities Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Building and Safety Division, including building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures. Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of building inspection, plans examination, and permit processing services and activities; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Director. Manages and participates in the development and administration of and oversees the division budget. Participates in the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures. Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Community Resources Agency Director; develops and reviews staff reports related to building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance activities and services; presents reports to the Board of Supervisors, commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities; provides exceptional and outstanding customer service. Serves as source of information for developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors regarding Building Code and County construction regulations; reviews complex code applications for requested code modifications and alternate materials and methods; represents the division, department, and County in Building Code disputes and litigations. Directs the enforcement of County’s building codes, ordinances, and regulations, and manages the Divisions’ code violation, abatement, and case management responsibilities including the management of code compliance investigators and leading the Code Compliance Task Force. Conducts investigations, identifies code violations, issues compliance orders, and conducts follow up inspections to ensure that violations have been corrected. Reviews building plans to ensure compliance with codes, ordinances and regulations prior to issuing a building permit, and to determine the proper assessment of fees; identifies issues and potential solutions in permit applications and building plans. Reviews plans for required information and that the permittees have demonstrated compliance with the applicable regulatory criteria; resolves conflicts between contractors and inspection staff and negotiates resolutions to code compliance issues. Receives, records, and investigates complaints from the public and staff regarding violations of building, and zoning codes, ordinances, housing standards, and health and safety regulations; documents violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data; researches ownership records, prior complaints, municipal codes and ordinances, and State regulations to establish whether a violation has occurred. Initiates contacts with residents, business representatives, and other parties to explain the nature of incurred violations and to encourage compliance with County codes, ordinances, and community standards; initiates abatement of dangerous properties and vector control issues of vacant properties; provides confirmation regarding code regulations to the public by telephone and in person. Prepares and issues notices of violation or noncompliance, final notices, and other correspondence according to applicable codes and regulations; issues letters to property owners notifying them of violation; as appropriate, affixes a notice of violation on property to abate public safety hazards and nuisances. Meets with County staff and legal counsel regarding complaints; coordinates activities with other code compliance personnel and departments. Coordinates and conducts follow-up abatement procedures including the preparation of additional correspondence, site visits, and communication with property owners and attorneys; conducts follow-up investigations to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; prepares non-compliance cases for legal action; presents testimony at hearings. Schedules appointments and prepares declarations of requests for search warrants regarding code compliance investigations and enforcement. Interviews involved parties to obtain statements and other information regarding cases; compiles, reviews, and analyzes information and evidence to obtain an accurate account of events, participants, and property involved in a case. Compiles facts and documentation necessary for the staff of the Community Resources Agency, County Counsel, and/or District Attorney's Office to identify, investigate, and prepare cases; enforces orders of the Code Compliance Hearing Board, coordinates County-initiated abatement of violations, and obtains warrants. Files complaints, testifies in administrative and judicial proceedings, and represents the department in small claims proceedings; testifies in administrative hearings, and civil and criminal court proceedings; prepares Demands for Payment and collects fines and abatement costs for code compliance cases. Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in building inspection, plans examination, permit processing, and code compliance; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs. Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. Performs related duties as required. Knowledge of Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program and project development, implementation, management, and evaluation. Principles and practices of budget development and administration. Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. California construction codes, Title 24 and 25. Principles and practices in general construction, electrical, and mechanical systems. Safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Principles and techniques of building inspection work. Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics. Research methods and sources of information related to building code enforcement. Principles, practices and techniques of in-depth administrative, civil, and criminal investigation and preparation of cases for compliance, remedial proceedings, and prosecution. Principles of planning, land use, property development, construction and safety. Administrative hearings, and criminal and civil court procedures applicable to code compliance. Functions, authorities, and organization of other departments and agencies involved in identification, investigation, and prosecution of cases. Records management principles and practices. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively representing the County in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff. Ability to Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services. Manage and monitor complex projects, on-time and within budget. Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures. Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods. Interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures governing zoning, land use, building and safety, property development, code enforcement activities and operations, and/or other applicable principles regulated by code. Read and interpret building and construction plans, maps, diagrams and specifications, and research databases. Identify and convey appropriate remedial approaches to code violations. Prepare, verify, analyze and reconcile complex building inspection and code records, reports and recommendations. Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations and standard construction practices. Provide technical advice on standard construction methods and requirements for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Conduct thorough investigations including observing and accurately documenting pertinent details such as places, names, descriptive characteristics and facts. Analyze complex investigation problems, develop alternatives, and adopt effective courses of action. Make mathematical calculations rapidly and accurately. Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals. Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to a high school diploma or GED, and six (6) years of increasingly responsible building inspection experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or closely related field is highly desirable. Licenses and Certifications Possession of a California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Possession of a Chief Building Official certificate issued by the International Code Council or equivalent to a Combination Inspection Certificate (3 specialties minimum) issued by the International Code Council, County Buildings Officials of California, International Conference of Building Officials, California Building Officials, or Southern Building Code Congress International. #J-18808-Ljbffr