Chief Building Official

The City of West Sacramento is actively recruiting for a Chief Building Official to lead the Building Division within the Community Development Department!  

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire. The top candidates will be referred to the Department for further consideration. 

DEFINITION:  The Chief Chief Building Official manages the activities of the Building Permitting, Plan Check and Inspection functions of the Community Development Department. Ensures buildings are constructed and maintained in accordance with adopted codes, standards and policies;  plan submittals are checked by all reviewing divisions and agencies, and corrections or permits are issued within established time frames. The Chief Building Official is an at-will position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives general direction from the Director of Community Development or designee  in setting program objectives and the means of accomplishment. Manages a staff of professional and technical employees, including daily direction, planning, scheduling work activities and monitoring consistent application of standards.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  This is a single, management level position.  The incumbent reports to the Director of Community Development and has responsibility for providing daily supervision to Building Division staff.

*Job description pending City Council approval.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (Illustrative Only):   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.

• Independently executes complex assignments.
• Exercises internal control over program activities; develops and adjusts procedures.
• Provides fiscal oversight for program budget. 
• Plans, organizes, and manages the work of staff in the application of codes, ordinances, and regulations related to new construction including, but not limited to, all forms of residential development, abatement of unsafe buildings; electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC installations.
• Determines, recommends, and manages program objectives, establishing strategies, allocating resources, and ensuring proper accounting of effectiveness and efficiency measures.
• Manages the maintenance of accurate and current records related to program activities so that public information, education, and technical assistance can be offered and provided to the public in a meaningful and timely manner.
• Confers with various public groups, developers, contractors, utilities, and other agencies regarding development and construction trends to forecast building revenues to ensure  fees for building services meet or exceed the direct cost of the Building Program.
• Responsible for application of established fee schedules and for setting fees for individual building permits; recommends changes in fee schedules based on forecasted building activity revenues and anticipated program costs.
• Applies various Federal, State, and local laws, policies, procedures, regulations, and rules pertaining to the work and to the program's work group.
• Provides training to employees within the Building Division regarding work procedures and methods; ensures safe and efficient work practices and procedures are understood and followed.
• Discusses work performance with direct reports and subordinate personnel and prepares timely and effective performance evaluations.
• Carries out and participates in a variety of information collection activities, such as interviewing prospective employees and fact finding pertinent to budget needs, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, subordinate complaints, and operating problems;  provides recommendations to the Community Development Director for addressing issues.
• Confers with subordinate supervisors in the scheduling and assigning of inspection personnel and in developing priorities and standards of work and general work schedules.
• Coordinates the program's activities with other City divisions/departments and external agencies to achieve the City's goal of presenting an effective, seamless organization and service delivery to the public.
• Provides professional expertise to Code Enforcement staff regarding difficult or complex Building Code enforcement issues. 
• Consults with architects, engineers, and other design and construction professionals concerning materials, specifications, and ratings.
• Procures, oversees and manages contracts for professional services related to the operations of the Building Division,  to achieve timely service objectives.
• Promotes West Sacramento as a city of the highest quality by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative government services; understands and subscribes to the Mission Statement adopted by the City.
• Performs related and other work as required.

Minimum qualifications & Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education:  A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a construction-related field such as Civil, Mechanical, Structural or Electrical Engineering or construction management, architecture or a management related field, such as public or business administration. Possession of an ICC certification as a Plans Examiner or Combination Inspector is highly desirable.

Experience:  Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building design, inspection, construction, or structural analysis which required application of building, plumbing and/or electrical codes and which included at least two (2) years project management and supervising professional and technical staff, such as those involved in building plans review and building inspection.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license.

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Supplemental information

WORKING CONDITIONS:  May serve as staff to commissions and may be required to attend off-hour meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Mobility to work in a standard office or construction environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings.  On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties; mobility to occasionally traverse uneven terrain, periodically standing, stooping, bending, climbing and kneeling to perform inspections; on occasion may be required to work in exposure to weather. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and small tools and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or small tools and equipment for distances up to 50 feet;  travel to attend meetings visit job sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:  Generally work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  May also work in a construction or field environment including inclement weather conditions and construction and traffic hazards.  May interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing codes, guidelines, policies and procedures.