Chief Building Official

City of La Porte, Texas•La Porte, TX

12d

About The Position

Manage, supervise and coordinate the activities of the Inspection Services Division. Coordinate as needed with other City divisions and departments and provide highly complex, professional level technical support to the Department Director.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of the City’s construction codes, pertinent State regulations and other applicable city codes and ordinances.
Knowledge of: Principles and administration of zoning regulations and practices of land use regulation.
Knowledge of: Principles of structural design, engineering mathematics, and building plan review.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management.
Knowledge of: Technical report preparation and presentation.
Ability to: Interpret and make recommendations concerning the zoning ordinance proper land uses.
Ability to: Make effective formal and informal presentations to city officials, community groups and the public.
Ability to: Communicate effectively and orally in writing.
Ability to: Analyze multi-faceted issues, problems and situations carefully and develop effective courses of action.
Ability to: Plan, organize, direct, establish, and maintain cooperative relations with City staff, and public and private organizations.
Ability to: Coach, mentor, and support development of staff.
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, department heads, co-workers and the public.
Ability to: Prepare and administer a Division budget.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture or Public Administration preferred from an accredited college and/or five years of increasingly responsible experience performing construction inspections of public, commercial, industrial, and/or residential buildings and enforcement of ordinances and codes. A High School Diploma or GED. Two years of supervisory experience and/or a field related degree from an accredited college.
Must have a valid Texas Driver's License.
Minimum requirement includes possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, a Texas Plumbing License, and/ or an ICC Building Inspector Certification and TSDH Code Enforcement Officer Registration.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in the building/ inspection field with at least three of those years in a supervisory capacity.

Nice To Haves

ICC certification as a Certified Building Official is preferred.

Responsibilities

Review, process all proposed Certified Site Plans and coordinate reviews with the Planning Division.
Direct and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities related to the Inspection Services Division.
Plan, organize, and evaluate the functions and activities of the Inspection Division, including building and housing inspections, electrical inspections, plumbing, and mechanical and zoning inspections. Develop policies, procedures, methods, and checklists as needed.
Plan, organize and evaluate the plan review functions and activities of the Division. Develop policies, procedures, methods, and checklists as needed.
Plan, organize and evaluate the functions and activities of Code Enforcement personnel, including but not limited to zoning, junk vehicles, health violations, etc.
Oversee and direct Division office operations; maintain appropriate records and files; coordinate work flow.
Act as the final authority on the interpretation and enforcement of the City’s building codes.
Manage and review the performance of third-party review and inspection firms as permitted under Texas Law.
Serve as a member of the Dangerous Building Inspection Board. Coordinate with committee members in the substandard (dangerous) building program. Perform supervisory and administrative duties, handle presentation to Council, and develop demolition specifications on condemned structures. Oversee demolition process including bids and actual demolition.
Assist other Departments with issuance of alcohol, wreckers, and alarm permits.
Provide assistance to the City Council, Building Codes Appeal Board and other boards and commissions; participate in professional and public meetings as required. Review and analyze all code appeal requests, prepare and present reports, provide information and recommendations as needed.
Assist Department Director in the development and enforcement of zoning regulations as needed.
Supervise the performance of difficult field inspections and response to public inquires and complaints.
Prepare and administer the Division budget.
Prepare reports, memoranda, letters and other forms of correspondence.
Provide complex technical assistance to other Department Directors and City Officials.
Respond to the most sensitive complaints and requests for information from the public and City departments.
Supervise, train, and evaluate staff in their professional development.
Issue citations to property owners and contractors; appear in court to testify as a qualified witness.
Network with other public agencies and share information regarding common issues, solutions and developments in the field.
Perform related duties as assigned.