Chief Building Official - PBES ($15K Signing Bonus)

Job Description

The Napa Valley

Napa County is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area.

With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.

The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.

Napa County as an Employer

As an organization, Napa County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. LEARN MORE HERE.

The Position

The Department of Planning, Building, & Environmental Services (PBES) serves our community by enforcing a fair, efficient, and open process that balances the diverse needs of agriculture, the economy, health and safety, and the environment. As a member of PBES you will work alongside employees from the following PBES Divisions: Building, Code Enforcement, Engineering, Environmental Health, Natural Resources, Parks, Planning, and Staff Services. Learn more about PBES HERE .

Napa County is actively seeking its next Chief Building Official. PLEASE NOTE: This position is being posted to fill a future vacancy. The selected candidate will begin work in January 2027 . The successful candidate will be eligible to receive a $15,000 signing bonus depending upon the selected candidate’s qualifications.

About the Position

The Chief Building Official provides strategic and operational leadership for the County’s Building Inspection Division within the Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Department. The position oversees a comprehensive building permitting and inspection program, including plan review, permit issuance, inspections, code interpretation and compliance, application intake, and customer service.

The Chief Building Official leads a professional team, establishes and implements division goals, processes, and policies, manages resources and budgets, and collaborates with internal departments, regulatory agencies, design professionals, contractors, property owners, and the community. The position provides leadership in establishing clear expectations for service, accountability, consistency, professionalism, and effective communication across the division.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who brings strong technical knowledge and sound judgment, coupled with a customer-focused, solutions-oriented approach to public service. This leader will be comfortable navigating complex regulatory and permitting frameworks while helping customers understand requirements, identifying practical solutions, and balancing regulatory compliance with efficient and responsive service delivery.

The Chief Building Official will champion continuous improvement and innovation, actively looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and the overall customer experience. The successful candidate will be open to new ideas and emerging technologies, use data and technology to improve processes and decision-making, and be willing to challenge the status quo when there are better ways to deliver services. They will foster a culture in which employees are encouraged to identify problems, develop solutions, and contribute to meaningful improvements in how the division operates.
The role offers an opportunity to shape the future of how the County delivers building services, with an emphasis on clear and accessible processes, consistent application and interpretation of codes, effective communication, strong relationships with the development community, and a positive experience for the community. The Chief Building Official will serve as a trusted resource to County leadership and a visible representative of the Building Inspection Division, helping ensure the division is responsive to the community while maintaining the highest standards of public safety, professionalism, and regulatory integrity.

Education and Experience:
To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. A desirable combination is:

Experience:
Six years of increasingly responsible building inspection experience including four years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Education:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, engineering, construction technology, planning, or a related field.

License or Certificate:

• Must be certified as a Chief Building Official within one year of appointment.
• Possession of a Plans Examiner certification from the International Code Council (ICC) is highly desirable.
• DSA CASp certification is highly desirable.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

Candidates must attach a cover letter, resume, and at least five professional references to their application for consideration.

The Recruitment Process
Online Application Deadline

Monday October 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm (PST)

Oral Panel Interview

Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026

Only the most qualified candidates from the Oral Panel Interview will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.

Example of Duties

To view the full job description, including the example of duties, please click here: Chief Building Official

Benefits
Learn more about the benefits package for this position HERE.

Disaster Services Workers
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experience emergencies (earthquakes, wildfire, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (Cal. Gov. Code § 3101.)

ADA Accommodation
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.

Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Non-Classified - Other

Closing Date/Time: 10/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific