Building Official

Building Official

The Building Official directs the activities of the Building Division of the Community & Economic Development Department and is responsible for the interpretation, compliance with, and enforcement of a variety of city and state codes pertaining to construction activities within City limits. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-union-represented position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Function as the City Building Official as defined in city, state, and national codes.

Review residential and commercial structural plans for conformance with city and state codes.

Review building permit and business license applications to verify conformance with land use codes.

Identify plan discrepancies with established codes and regulations.

Provide information to the public regarding code compliance, plan corrections, and permitting requirements.

Perform field inspections on all aspects of construction, including pre-construction and final inspections.

Coordinate with Planning, Fire, and Public Works personnel to ensure accuracy and compliance of entire project.

Issue notices of violation and stop work orders.

Keep the City informed of new buildingand relatedcode requirements and the potential effect on City permitting processes.

Maintain detailed records of plan reviews, inspections, and other related activities in the city's electronic permitting system.

Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance, which is essential for successful job performance.

Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; ensure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.

Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.

Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.

Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.

Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.

These duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Qualifications / Requirements

To perform this job successfully, the person in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and / or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE : High School Graduate or a GED. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in building construction and / or inspection, including three (3) years as a certified Building Inspector.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : Certification as a Building Inspector, Plans Examiner, and / or Building Official through the International Code Council; certification as Building Official required at, or within one year of, hire. Have or have the ability to obtain a valid Washington State Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Must have an acceptable driving record upon hire.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Knowledge of building codes as well as construction techniques and standards. Ability to prepare, organize and maintain inspection field data, reports, and systems.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS : Must have strong communication skills and the ability to work courteously and effectively with City staff, the business community, contractors and developers, and the public at large. Ability to prepare clearly written reports and documents, and accurately interpret and explain building codes. Ability to negotiate dispassionately between parties in conflict. Must be a US citizen and be able to read and write the English language. Bilingual skills are beneficial but not required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS : Ability to calculate statistics and formulas involved in building, zoning, and other related codes. Ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and statistics related to building code activities.

REASONING ABILITY : Ability to work within established guidelines with sound judgment and little direct supervision. Ability to explain codes and represent the City's policies in an effective manner. Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications. Ability to work within established guidelines including all applicable safety requirements.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES : Computer and typing skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, calculator, camera, telephone, mobile phone, tablet device, copy machine, drafting tools and software, and 2-way radio.

WORK SCHEDULE : The person in this position will be required to work a 40-hour per week schedule with a minimum of two consecutive days off. The work schedule may require weekend work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, and stoop. The employee must have the ability to exert or lift 50 pounds or more. Must have the ability to perform frequent strenuous and repetitious physical labor, and to operate trucks and equipment in close quarters.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting and outdoors. May be required to move up to 50-75 pounds. Expected to operate City-owned light vehicles. Physical hazards may occur occasionally when entering building sites or dangerous properties, or when dealing with hostile individuals. Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and / or carry up to 40 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field. Work may routinely require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and / or crawl. The employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions, in wet and / or humid conditions, in high, precarious places, near moving mechanical parts, near fumes, airborne particles, and / or toxic or caustic chemicals, or near risk of electrical shock and / or vibration.