Chief Building Official - PBES ($15K Signing Bonus)

County of Napa • Napa, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Planning, Building, & Environmental Services (PBES) serves our community by enforcing a fair, efficient, and open process that balances the diverse needs of agriculture, the economy, health and safety, and the environment. As a member of PBES you will work alongside employees from the following PBES Divisions: Building, Code Enforcement, Engineering, Environmental Health, Natural Resources, Parks, Planning, and Staff Services. Napa County is actively seeking its next Chief Building Official. This position is being posted to fill a future vacancy. The selected candidate will begin work in January 2027. The successful candidate will be eligible to receive a $15,000 signing bonus depending upon the selected candidate’s qualifications. The Chief Building Official provides strategic and operational leadership for the County’s Building Inspection Division within the Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Department. The position oversees a comprehensive building permitting and inspection program, including plan review, permit issuance, inspections, code interpretation and compliance, application intake, and customer service. The Chief Building Official leads a professional team, establishes and implements division goals, processes, and policies, manages resources and budgets, and collaborates with internal departments, regulatory agencies, design professionals, contractors, property owners, and the community. The position provides leadership in establishing clear expectations for service, accountability, consistency, professionalism, and effective communication across the division. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who brings strong technical knowledge and sound judgment, coupled with a customer-focused, solutions-oriented approach to public service. This leader will be comfortable navigating complex regulatory and permitting frameworks while helping customers understand requirements, identifying practical solutions, and balancing regulatory compliance with efficient and responsive service delivery. The Chief Building Official will champion continuous improvement and innovation, actively looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and the overall customer experience. The successful candidate will be open to new ideas and emerging technologies, use data and technology to improve processes and decision-making, and be willing to challenge the status quo when there are better ways to deliver services. They will foster a culture in which employees are encouraged to identify problems, develop solutions, and contribute to meaningful improvements in how the division operates. The role offers an opportunity to shape the future of how the County delivers building services, with an emphasis on clear and accessible processes, consistent application and interpretation of codes, effective communication, strong relationships with the development community, and a positive experience for the community. The Chief Building Official will serve as a trusted resource to County leadership and a visible representative of the Building Inspection Division, helping ensure the division is responsive to the community while maintaining the highest standards of public safety, professionalism, and regulatory integrity.

Requirements

• Six years of increasingly responsible building inspection experience including four years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, engineering, construction technology, planning, or a related field.
• Must be certified as a Chief Building Official within one year of appointment.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County.
• Candidates must attach a cover letter, resume, and at least five professional references to their application for consideration.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a Plans Examiner certification from the International Code Council (ICC) is highly desirable.
• DSA CASp certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for the County’s Building Inspection Division.
• Oversees a comprehensive building permitting and inspection program, including plan review, permit issuance, inspections, code interpretation and compliance, application intake, and customer service.
• Leads a professional team, establishes and implements division goals, processes, and policies.
• Manages resources and budgets.
• Collaborates with internal departments, regulatory agencies, design professionals, contractors, property owners, and the community.
• Provides leadership in establishing clear expectations for service, accountability, consistency, professionalism, and effective communication across the division.
• Champions continuous improvement and innovation, actively looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and the overall customer experience.
• Fosters a culture in which employees are encouraged to identify problems, develop solutions, and contribute to meaningful improvements in how the division operates.
• Serves as a trusted resource to County leadership and a visible representative of the Building Inspection Division.
• Ensures the division is responsive to the community while maintaining the highest standards of public safety, professionalism, and regulatory integrity.

Benefits

• Signing bonus of $15,000 (depending upon qualifications)
• Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquakes, wildfire, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (Cal. Gov. Code § 3101.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager