Assistant Building Official

City of West Haven•West Haven, CT

26d

About The Position

This is responsible code enforcement and inspection work involving the review of building plans for new buildings and the examination of buildings during construction, renovation, or repair to ensure conformance with applicable State of Connecticut building codes, standards, and construction specifications. The position helps protect the public from potentially dangerous conditions caused by faulty materials or poor workmanship in new and existing structures. The work includes reviewing building plans, issuing permits, inspecting construction and renovation projects, and investigating and resolving complaints and building code violations. The Assistant Building Official makes difficult inspection decisions, including those concerning older structures that may be candidates for condemnation and demolition. The role requires thorough knowledge and skill in inspecting building structures and interpreting codes, ordinances, and standards. The position works under the general supervision of the Building Official and assumes supervisory responsibilities when the Building Official is absent. It also acts as the Building Official in that person’s absence and fills in for Plumbing, Electrical, and Housing Inspectors as required. Work is performed both in an office and outdoors, including at construction sites.

Requirements

High school or vocational school graduation, with emphasis on carpentry, heating, ventilation, electricity, or plumbing.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in building construction or design.
Meet Connecticut statutory eligibility and licensure requirements for Building or Assistant Building Official.
Hold a State of Connecticut Building or Assistant Building Official license.
Complete mandatory continuing education through seminars.
Hold a valid Connecticut driver’s license.
Thorough knowledge of the State of Connecticut Building Codes pertaining to building construction.
Considerable knowledge of building construction methods, materials, and techniques at the journey level.
Considerable ability to diagnose defects and hazards in building structures.
Ability to enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, associates, contractors, property owners, and the public.

Responsibilities

Review building plans for new construction for compliance with codes and regulations, and identify deficiencies for engineers, architects, contractors, and homeowners to correct.
Inspect buildings under construction, renovation, or repair for compliance with building or zoning requirements; direct correction of deficiencies in the field.
Determine whether complaints about structural soundness are valid and recommend evacuation or demolition as appropriate.
Review, research, and investigate complaints concerning alleged building code and zoning violations; notify responsible parties, issue correction instructions, and conduct follow-up inspections.
Respond to telephone inquiries about building code or zoning regulations.
Perform front desk duties, including receiving construction applications, issuing permits, taking complaints, and answering questions about building codes and zoning regulations.
Collaborate with Health, Fire, Police, and Housing Code Departments when their expertise is needed during inspections.
Fill in for Plumbing, Electrical, and Housing Inspectors when they are absent.
Maintain records and write reports documenting inspections, actions taken, and corrections recommended and secured.
Act as the Building Official in the Building Official’s absence.
Assume supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Building Official.