Building Official

BUILDING OFFICIAL (Exempt, Management Position) DEFINITION Under general direction and supervision of the Director of Community Development, the Building Official plans, organizes, manage, and coordinates the Building Inspection Division activities, which includes building permit processing, public information, building permit plan review, building inspection, management of structural engineering plan check consultants, building code compliance, and supervision, training, and evaluation of subordinate personnel; to recommend and implement City policy concerning building safety matters; to enforce and administer construction and safety codes; and to provide highly responsible and technical staff assistance; other related duties as assigned. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is a management level classification responsible for the operation of the Building division of the Community Development Department and functions as the Building Official for the City of Sulphur Springs. The position reports to the Director of Community Development and exercises significant independent judgment in the application and enforcement of building codes and ordinances within the City. The position is expected to exercise initiative in ensuring that building codes used by the City meet current legal and professional guidelines. Direct supervision is exercised over assigned professional, technical and clerical personnel. Extensive knowledge of the International Building Codes with particular emphasis on the International Existing Building Code is required. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES Manage, coordinate, and/or supervise the daily operations of the Building Inspection Division, including public counter activities, issuance of building permits, scheduling and overseeing inspections, and assessing and resolving complex permit, code and procedural questions and issues; Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities; Function as the Building Official for the City, reviewing and enforcing laws, ordinances and codes. Monitor and implement changes in code requirements and construction techniques; Plan, organize, control and evaluate the functions and activities of the Building Inspection Division; Supervise the staff to include program development, refinement of procedures, review and discussion of case logs, and providing regular reports to the Director of Community Development and City Council; Establish, improve and coordinate the plan checking and building inspection procedures of the City; Perform plan checks of Building Permit applications for compliance with adopted building codes, ordinances, laws and regulations, including conferring with contractors regarding related installations or deficiencies; Supervise, train and evaluate subordinate professional, technical and clerical personnel. Supervise and manage structural engineering plan check consultants; Enforce all appropriate building, zoning, and safety codes and ordinances; Resolve difficult and complex building and code compliance issues, meeting with developers, contractors, architects, engineers and homeowners; Appear before public agencies, business and civic groups and other organizations in the presentation and discussion of building and safety related challenges, proposals, projects and policies; Participate in the preparation of, and administration of the Building Inspection Division budget, including submitting budget recommendations and monitoring expenditures; Perform and supervise field inspections of construction and development as required; Maintain a high level of public relations; Perform special studies, write reports and develop programs related to building safety, improving public service, etc.; Enforce housing codes and abatement of dangerous building, including issuing and authorizing "Stop Work" orders and "Unsafe for Occupancy" notices, addressing complaints, scheduling inspections related to code enforcement, and following up on abatements; Use independent judgment in the field and make final determinations requiring a Building Official's opinion; Ability to be called out any time of day or night to determine safety of structures following emergency and natural disasters; Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel and budget management; principles and practices of the International Building Codes with particular emphasis on the International Existing Building Code, Electrical Codes, and pertinent State and City codes and ordinances; principles of structural design, engineering mathematics and architectural plan review. Ability to: Organize, direct and coordinate the activities of a division in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; analyze, interpret and check complex plans, specifications, calculations, laws and regulations; Compute building permit fees as derived from the Building Valuation data; Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; communicate building permit requirements and building plan deficiencies to builders in a professional, articulate, and courteous manner; plan, organize, direct, establish and maintain cooperative relations with administrative officers and public and private organizations; Work independently and productively; use, or be familiar with, various computer systems and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access; Supervise, train and evaluate subordinate professional, technical and clerical personnel, and evaluate building activities and recommend alternative methods or goals designed to improve professional and efficient service to the community. Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience - Sufficient years of increasingly responsible experience of a supervisory, administrative or professional nature in the design, construction and inspection of public, commercial, industrial or residential buildings to demonstrate possession of the knowledge and abilities listed above; Education – High School Diploma/Equivalent License or Certificate: Possession of a certification as a Certified Building Official issued by the International Code Council (ICC), or equivalent certification is preferred. Possession of a current, valid Plumbing Inspectors License from the State Board of Plumbing Examiners is required. Applicable building inspection certifications necessary to perform the duties of the position are required. Preferred Qualifications or ability to obtain: International Code Council Certified Building Official International Code Council Certified Residential and Commercial Building Inspector State of Texas Plumbing Inspector License required International Code Council Certified Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner International Code Council Certified Building Plans Examiner International Code Council Certified Accessibility Plans Examiner International Code Council Certified Commercial Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Code Enforcement Certification This classification requires the use of a personal or City vehicle while conducting City business. In order to drive, individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely and must possess a valid, Class C Texas motor vehicle operator's license. #J-18808-Ljbffr