DEFINITION

Plans, supervises, coordinates, and performs activities related to building inspection and Building Code enforcement; reviews, issues, processes, and approves building permits; performs other duties as required. The Building Official is the designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the California Building Standards Code.

DISTINGUISHING CHARCTERISTICS

The Building Official is responsible for managing activities related to building inspection. The Building Official manages subordinate staff and implements programs in conformance with general policy guidelines, standards, appropriate laws, codes and regulations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Administrative direction is provided by the Community Development Director. The Building Official provides supervision of the Deputy Chief Building Official, the Community Development Assistant assigned to the Building Department as well as to the Building Inspectors and Plans Examiners. The Building Official manages consultants who perform work related to the operation of the Building Division.

ESSENTINAL DUTIES

• Supervises, coordinates, and assigns building inspection work and staff
• Reviews new building, alteration, and construction plans for adequate design and compliance with ordinances; calculates appropriate permit and development fees; approves building plans and issues permits
• Performs and supervises field inspections of all types of buildings and phases of construction; assures that buildings and structures are being constructed in accordance with approved plans and specifications
• Coordinates inspection assignments with other City departments and governmental agencies
• Explains and interprets applicable codes and ordinances for contractors and the general public
• Handles difficult inquiries, complaints, and code enforcement issues and makes final determinations in situations requiring a Building Official�s opinion
• Conducts studies, prepares reports of findings, including recommendations; prepares correspondence; signs off on documents requiring the signature of the City�s Building Official
• Represents the City in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, architects, engineers, contractors, property and business owners and the public. Makes oral and written reports to Commissions and City Council.
• Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Building Department; prepares updated codes for adoption
• May be called out any time of day or night to determine safety of structures following emergencies and natural disasters

QUALFICATIONS

Experience/Education

Sufficient education, training and experience to successfully perform the duties of a Building Official in a municipal agency. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess a Bachelor�s Degree in a related field, Certification as a Building Official, and four years of work experience in a combination of building inspection, code enforcement, and plan checking of varied residential, commerical and industrial facilities including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Certificate/License Requirement

Within one year of appointment, the incumbent shall obtain Building Official certification by the International Code Council (ICC) or its successor agency and undergo the necessary requirements to maintain this certification throughout employment. Possession of a Class C California driver�s license by date of appointment.

Knowledge/Skills/Ability

Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, County, and City codes and ordinances relating to building construction and structural requirements; types of building materials and variations in their quality; modern methods of building construction; acceptable health, safety, and fire standards in building construction; principles and techniques of building inspection, code enforcement and plan checking. Working knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training.

Ability to assign, coordinate and supervise building inspection work; interpret and explain provisions of applicable building and safety ordinances, abatement, energy, and zoning codes, including building permit requirements enforced by the City; handle difficult complaints and inquiries; apply technical knowledge of building trades work; use sound inspection methods to explain workmanship and materials, and to detect deviations from plans, specifications, and standard installation practices; read and interpret plans, diagrams, and specifications; review and check plans for proper design, code, and ordinance compliance; make complex arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately; write clear and concise reports; learn and apply new technology; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, and provide excellent customer service.

Working Conditions

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, rough, and slippery surfaces; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, grasping, and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. Fine coordination is used when the incumbent is measuring designated areas for proper conformance. The position also requires dexterity in climbing up to roofs, walking on roofs, and crawling under houses, along with the necessity of near and far vision, when comparing onsite construction conformance to approved plans. The need to lift, push, and move barriers weighing greater than 25 pounds when doing field inspections is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works in all weather conditions including wet, hot, and cold. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb unusual heights on ladders, be around power, noise, and vibrating producing tools and around moving vehicles and heavy equipment which subjects the employee to mechanical, electrical, and traffic hazards.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Employee Unit: Rohnert Park Employees� Association (RPEA)
Approved By: City Council
Date Approved: May 9, 2006