Building Official

City of Port Townsend•Port Townsend, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Building Official is a mid-level supervisory position responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the City’s building and construction codes. The role manages, coordinates, and supervises Building Division permit, plan review, and inspection activities, including the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff. It leads interpretations of code provisions concerning alternate materials, designs, and methods, and ensures special inspection and testing requirements are documented and followed. A customer-service focus is necessary. The position administers applicable adopted building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy, ventilation, fire, wildland-urban-interface, zoning, and other codes and ordinances. It coordinates permits, plan reviews, inspections, certificates of occupancy, code enforcement, customer assistance, and collaboration with City departments and East Jefferson Fire and Rescue. The Building Official maintains knowledge of construction and code developments, tracks State Building Code Council changes, and reports construction trends and potential improvements to regulations or processes to the Director. Work is performed in an office and outdoors. Plan review and inspection duties involve construction sites and may require walking varied terrain, driving, climbing ladders, and crawling into restricted spaces. Heavy lifting is not required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, and three years of experience in construction code administration and enforcement or a closely related field; an equivalent combination of training and experience may qualify.
One year of lead or supervisory experience, with knowledge of employee supervision practices including selection, training, coaching, work assignment, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline.
Possess and maintain International Code Council (ICC) Building Official and Plans Examiner certifications. Alternatively, a candidate with Plans Examiner certification must obtain Building Official certification within one year of hire and complete a one-year City trial/probationary period.
Possess a Washington Driver’s License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to fire and building code compliance.
Knowledge and experience in the design, construction, and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
Knowledge of municipal government organizational concepts and research skills.
Computer and software proficiency, specifically with permitting and electronic plan review software.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with diverse groups and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers, peers, leadership, public officials, customers, and the general public.
Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, and changes in workload while maintaining composure and effectiveness.
Ability to independently assess and resolve complex code interpretations and their application.
Ability to administer and participate in building inspections and examination of plans and specifications for compliance with codes and regulations.
Ability to read and interpret architectural and construction plans, blueprints, and sketches; identify code deficiencies; and enforce corrective action.
Ability to assign work and supervise professional, technical, and administrative staff.
Ability to understand and write technical code language; exercise independent judgment and effective decision-making; solve problems; and establish goals, plans, and procedures within program boundaries and delegated authority.
Demonstrated leadership ability, including fostering collaboration, motivating employees, and communicating honestly and transparently.
Meet the physical requirements of the position, with reasonable accommodations available as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college, with major coursework in structural engineering or a related field.
Possess and maintain Plumbing and Mechanical Certifications.

Responsibilities

Enforce applicable building, construction, fire, energy, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, ventilation, wildland-urban-interface, zoning, and other adopted codes and ordinances.
Supervise permit technicians and administrative staff and plan and administer building permit plan review and inspection work.
Manage, coordinate, and supervise Building Division permit, plan review, and inspection activities.
Coordinate issuance of building and related permits and certificates of occupancy.
Review residential and commercial project plans for compliance with applicable codes.
Supervise Building Inspector staff and provide direction and assistance with code application, interpretations, and complex project review and inspection.
Perform building inspections and participate in inspections of buildings under construction, alteration, or repair.
Initiate enforcement of construction regulations and assist legal counsel in concluding enforcement cases.
Assist residents, contractors, and designers with project-specific code provisions.
Participate in the City development review team, including Preapplication Conferences and Customer Assistance Meetings.
Attend industry meetings, seminars, and informational sessions and maintain knowledge of construction trends and State and national building codes.
Track State Building Code Council code changes and develop appropriate code language for City adoption.
Report construction trends and activity to the Director and recommend potential regulatory or process revisions.
Coordinate enforcement of the International Fire Code and Wildland Urban Interface Code with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.
Maintain constructive relationships with civic groups, municipal departments, public officials, customers, and the public, and encourage community interest in codes and enforcement.
Ensure special inspections and testing provisions are properly documented and followed.