Deputy Director Building Inspections Services

Description

The principal function of Charleston County’s Deputy Director of Building Inspections is to lead, manage, plan and direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Building Inspections Department. The position is performed under the direction of the Building Inspections Director, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. This position calls for a highly qualified leader with a solid educational foundation, extensive technical expertise, and superior management capabilities to advance the mission and goals of the Building Services Department. Supervision is exercised over the work of all employees within the Building Inspections Department. The nature of the work performed requires establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other County employees, County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator for General Services, County Council, Mayors, other town councils, business and community groups, outside auditors, State and Federal officials, representatives of the media and the public.

HIRING SALARY: $85,508 - $111,987 (Estimated Annual Salary)

OPEN UNTIL FILLED - APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership:
• In the Director’s absence, acts as the Building Inspections Director.
• Position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for plan review, permitting, the work of building inspectors and other staff within the department.
• Selects, develops, mentors, and evaluates staff; establishes performance benchmarks; conducts formal performance reviews; implements disciplinary actions and reward systems; and manages leave approvals.
  
• Coordination:
• Leads the planning, organization and coordination of daily operational activities including customer service, routing of permit applications, and interdepartmental collaboration to ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality plan reviews aligned with Planning, Zoning and Stormwater requirements.
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of professional and administrative personnel in implementing the expressed goals, policies and directives of the Department.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Oversees the full scope of plan review and permitting. Manages daily operations of the digital plan review and permit management systems to meet department and county objectives.
• Manages and executes fire inspections, fire plan reviews, Special Inspection programs, and fire investigations; serve as the primary liaison with County fire districts and marshals.

• Compliance:
• Provides expert technical leadership and supervision of the plan review process for both commercial and residential projects, ensuring strict adherence to adopted codes, ordinances, and standards.
• Supports departmental accreditation and rating efforts including IAS (International Accreditation Services) and BCEGS (Building Codes Effectiveness Grading Schedule), participating in site assessments and permit fee evaluations.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive reports on plan review activity, performance metrics, and resource allocation to optimize workflow and departmental outcomes.
• Conducts inspections as required, ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.
  
• Policy & Procedure Development:
• Establishes and updates policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with evolving codes and regulations.
• Proactively identifies and recommends process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and compliance.
  
• Budget Management:
• Oversees and reviews budget in accordance with Department’s goals and mission and guidance from the Budget Department.
  
• Public Relations:
• Serves as a point of contact for the public, answering questions, and addressing concerns related to Building Inspections.
• Resolves procedural, technical, and customer service conflicts with professionalism and diplomacy, facilitating collaboration among staff, customers, and design professionals.
• Represents the department in industry associations, boards and committees, advocating for best practices and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

This role demands a highly skilled professional with extensive education in engineering, architecture, or construction management combined with robust technical expertise and proven leadership and management experience. The incumbent will drive excellence in administrative analysis, project development, and supervision of permitting and plan review teams to ensure compliance with regulato1y standards and elevate departmental performance.

• Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related discipline is required.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect strongly preferred.
  
• Experience:
• Minimum of ten (10) years or more of progressively responsible experience, including at least seven (7) years in construction-related roles and five (5) years in plan review, inspections, or architectural/engineering environments.
• Extensive knowledge of building codes, fire safety, and regulatory compliance, including certifications or ability to obtain certifications such as Fire Marshall, Fire Plans Examiner, Combination Plans Examiner/Inspector, and Floodplain Manager within one year.
• Demonstrated experience in code enforcement, construction inspection, and project management.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
  
  
• Certifications: Must have or obtain at least four of the following certifications within six months of hire:
  • Residential Plans Examiner
  • Building Plans Examiner
  • Plumbing Plans Examiner or Commercial Plumbing Inspector
  • Mechanical Plans Examiner or Commercial Mechanical Inspector
  • Electrical Plans Examiner or Commercial Electrical Inspector
  • Fire Plans Examiner
  • Certified Floodplain Manager
  • Residential Building Inspector
  • Commercial Building Inspector

* Remaining certifications must be completed within one year of hire.

• Additional requirements within one year of hire:
  • South Carolina Registered State Fire Marshal
  • Valid South Carolina Driver's License
  • Completion of Supervisory Training Program
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certifications
    (As required for County EOC Duty.)
    • IS 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
    • IS 200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
    • IS 300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
    • IS 559: Local Damage Assessment
    • IS 700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
    • IS 800: An Introduction to National Response Framework
  • Ongoing professional development and certification maintenance annually.
  • Registered Architect and/or Engineer (PE or EIT preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge:
• Comprehensive understanding of the International Code Council (ICC) family of codes and state-specific building regulations.
• Proficiency with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
• Thorough knowledge of South Carolina construction codes, licensing laws, State Fire Marshal regulations, and environmental permitting processes.
• Familiarity with federal floodplain management regulations and community rating systems (CRS), BCEGS, and IAS standards.
• Experience with federal and state grant applications and damage assessment protocols.
• Strong grasp of building department legal frameworks including budgeting, inspections, recordkeeping, and ordinance enforcement.
• Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and office software suites
• (Microsoft Office, Corel, GroupWise).

• Skills:
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills tailored to diverse audiences.
• Advanced mathematical and analytical capabilities for plan review and data interpretation.
• Strong problem-solving aptitude and decision-making under pressure.
• Proven leadership and team management skills including staff training, motivation, and conflict resolution.
• Expertise in reading and interpreting complex plans and construction documents.
• Ability to detect, document, and specify corrective actions for code violations and discrepancies.
• Competence in computer-based data management, including spreadsheets and word processing.
• Representing the department effectively in legal and public forums.
• Abilities:
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly and professionally to stakeholders of all experience levels.
• Navigate and resolve challenging or confrontational situations with tact and professionalism.
• Apply in-depth technical codes and regulatory standards accurately to various
• construction scenarios.
• Collaborate effectively with elected officials, design professionals, contractors, and the public.

Charleston County offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including but not limited to:

• Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Optional Life and Disability Insurance
• Optional Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Fourteen (14) recognized Holidays
• South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) State Retirement Plan
• Police Officers Retirement System (PORS - as applicable)
• Optional Deferred Compensation Program
• Longevity and Merit Pay Increases
• Leadership, Professional and Skill Development Training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Well-being Program

For more information, visit our benefits page.

• 

• Charleston County Government

• 843.958.4719

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