Building Official

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Director of Public Works, the Building Official will oversee, supervise, and manage the Planning & Development Services Division and will also serve as the City's Floodplain Manager. This position directs building inspections, permitting, code compliance, City planning and development services, including supervision of Code Compliance Officers, City Planning personnel, Development Services Technicians and other assigned staff. Responsibilities include administering adopted construction codes and development requirements; coordinating development review; managing division personnel, budget and service delivery; and overseeing consistent, timely enforcement of City ordinances. The Building Official performs and oversees technical plan reviews and inspections; provides guidance on complex development and compliance matters; recommends ordinance and process improvements; and serves as a non-voting member of the Variance Committee.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, organize, direct and manage the Planning & Development Services Division, including building inspections, permitting, code compliance, City planning, and development services.
• Participate in staff selection; train and mentor employees; conduct performance evaluations; address performance concerns; and recommend personnel actions in accordance with City policies.
• Supervise Planning and Development Services staff and other assigned employees; establish responsibilities; assign and review work; and coordinate office and field activities.
• Establish division goals, work priorities, service standards and performance measures; monitor permit turnaround times, development review progress, inspection workloads and enforcement case resolution.
• Oversee coordination of incoming development projects from initial inquiry through review, approval, permitting, and completion; identify outstanding requirements and track assignments, deadlines and required actions.
• Oversee City planning and development review activities, including plats, subdivision applications, site plans, development proposals, and applicable land-use, form-based, sign, and other development requirements.
• Supervise permit intake, application completeness reviews, fee processing, inspection scheduling, records management, and customer assistance performed by Development Services Technicians.
• Review building permit applications, construction plans, specifications, and related documents for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Oversee Code Compliance activities, including complaint intake, inspections, notices, follow-up, authorized abatements, and case documentation; promote fair and consistent enforcement and timely case resolution.
• Develop and revise building-related ordinances, policies, procedures, fees and administrative processes.
• Conduct and/or oversee inspections of new construction, renovations, alterations, additions, demolitions, and other permitted work to verify compliance with approved plans and applicable codes.

JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Mandatory:

• High School diploma or GED. Valid Class C Texas State Driver's License and safe driving record.
• A minimum of three (3) years of responsible experience as a Building Inspector/Official, OR five (5) years responsible experience as a journey-level tradesman OR equivalent experience in the construction and/or inspection field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of management, supervisory and budgetary experience or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Licensed or Certified as a Plumber, Plumbing Inspector, Electrician or Electrical Inspector, preferred; or ability to obtain licensure as a Texas State Plumbing Inspector within two (2) years of employment, or two (2) ICC Certifications in building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical field within six (6) months of employment.
• This position is considered a Level I position in accordance with Section 6.11.6 of the Personnel Guidelines. Must pass a medical physical examination and drug test. Must pass a criminal background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION:

• Endurance/Moving About: Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time). Move from location to location.
• Endurance/Overall strength: Periodic. Exerts force and/or lifts or carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Walking: Constantly (up to 2/3 of the time). Move about on foot.
• Sitting: Frequently (1/3 or more of the time).
• Lifting/Carrying: Periodic. Lift by manually raising or lowering an object from one level to another (including upward pulling), and/or carry transport and object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.
• Pushing/Pulling: Periodic. Push by exerting force on an object so that it moves away from the force or worker (including slapping, striking, kicking, and treadle actions); and/or pull by exerting force on an object so that it moves toward the force or worker (including jerking).
• Controls: Periodic. Use one or both arms and/or hands and /or one or either feet or legs to move controls on machinery or equipment.
• Climbing. Periodic. Ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, ropes, and the like using the feet and legs and/or hands and arms above or below 5 feet.
• Balancing: Periodic. Maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, or running on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces.
• Bending/Stooping: Frequently (1/3 or 2/3 of the time). Stoop by bending the body downward or forward by flexing the spine at the waist, and /or bend by extending the spine backward or from side to side.
• Kneeling/Crouching: Frequently (1/3 or 2/3 of the time). Kneel by bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees, and/or crouch by bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine.
• Crawling: Periodic. Move about on the hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Reaching: Frequently (1/3 or more of the time). Extend hands and arms in any direction.
• Handling: Frequently (1/3 or more of the time). Seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with the hand or hands.
• Rotation: Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time). Twist and turn the spine or a ball and socket joint such as the shoulder or hip.
• Talking: Constantly (2/3 or more of the time). Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing: Constantly (2/3 or more of the time). Perceive the nature of sounds by the ear.
• Seeing: Constantly (2/3 or more of the time). Obtain impressions through the eyes of the shape, size, distance, motion, color or other characteristics of objects.
• Reading: Reviewing drawings, plans, codes, specifications, ordinances.
• Writing: Able to accurately write reports, record information and summary of events.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Location: Both inside and outside. Work is spent inside (where there is protection from weather, but not necessarily from temperature changes) and outside (where there may be no effective protection from weather).
• Extreme Cold: Endure temperature(s) sufficiently low to cause marked bodily discomfort unless exceptional protection is used.
• Extreme Heat: Endure temperature(s) sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort unless exceptional protection is used.
• Wet Conditions: Endure contact with water or other liquids.
• Noise / Vibration: Periodic. Occasionally endure noises, either constant or intermittent, or work sites.
• Smell: Fumes chemicals, or toxic substances.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and Development Services Division.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receive direction from the Director of Public Works and/or the City Manager.

WORKING HOURS:

Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch. May work outside normal working hours as required to complete assigned tasks. In emergencies may be called into work and work schedule will be adjusted during the emergency.

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL CITY EMPLOYEES:

• Support City and Department goals and objectives.
• Serve and meet the needs of our citizens during routine or emergency situations.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, demonstrate team skills, and perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Plan and organize his/her work, time and resources, and, if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Contribute to the development of others, to the Department, and the City.
• Produce desired work outcomes including quality, quantity and timeliness.
• Communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates and people to whom service is provided.
• Understand and value differences in employees and value input from others.
• Consistently report to work and work assignments prepared and on schedule.
• Consistently display a positive behavior with regard to work, willingly accept constructive criticism and be respectful of others.

MISCELLANEOUS:

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Bay City and the employee and is subject to change by the City of Bay City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. The City of Bay City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In compliance with the American's with Disability Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Formal application or letter of interest, rating of education and experience; oral interview, reference and criminal background checks, and drug screens are required. In addition, job related tests may also be required.