Director of Building & Inspection Services

Village of Mount Prospect•Mount Prospect, IL

16h•Onsite

About The Position

This senior leadership position is responsible for supporting the strategic Village goals and vision. The position responsibility includes oversight and administration of the Building & Inspection Services Department, including enforcement, updating, and oversight of building codes; plan review; building permits; inspections; health; property maintenance; contractor licensing; records management; and customer service. The position also provides support to the (Community Development Block Grant) CDBG Rehab Program. The position also prepares staff reports, develops the Departmental budget, and implements the budget. The Director ensures that all building and structures (under construction or renovation) are built in compliance with the established codes and ordinances and that property maintenance codes are followed. Significant knowledge of the construction industry is required. This employee interacts at a high level with contractors and developers, Village employees and officials, and the public regarding code compliance issues, plan reviews, development, and inspection requirements.

Requirements

Detailed knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in building construction, building inspection, and building maintenance.
Detailed knowledge of construction materials, building codes, and building systems.
Requires extensive knowledge of the pertinent laws, statutes, ordinances and codes enabling the operation of the Building Division; considerable knowledge of code enforcement techniques.
Ability to read and understand blueprints and construction plans.
Must possess excellent written and verbal skills. Ability to write and speak clearly.
Ability to work effectively with building professionals, village staff, and the general public.
Ability to direct inspection and enforcement actions with firmness, tact, thoroughness, and without prejudice.
Ability to resolve complaints.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate records and to maintain effective working relationships with developers, contractors, property owners other divisions, and the general public.
Ability to recognize hazardous conditions and to recommend the proper corrective measures. Recognize unacceptable techniques and determine effective corrective measures.
Ability to develop public policy, interprets technical information, and explains options to elected officials.
Position requires ability to conduct inspections in potentially hazardous areas and in inclement weather.
Ability to respond to emergency calls on a 24 hour basis for inspection of damaged buildings.
Ability to manage process improvement and change.
Certification as a Master Code Professional or at a minimum, Certified Building Official.
Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience, knowledge of all Village of Mount Prospect ordinances and their application.
Bachelor Degree in the field of business, science, engineering, architecture, construction technology, or construction management; five to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent of education and combined experience.
Must possess and maintain a current and valid Illinois Driver’s License.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Software required, and experience in permit tracking system desired.
Qualified candidates are subject to a background check including motor vehicle report and drug/alcohol physical testing.

Nice To Haves

Experience in permit tracking system

Responsibilities

Responsible for the leadership, management, and supervision of the Building & Inspection Services Department.
Oversees the work of the Inspectors & staff. Provides subordinates with supervision and training. Does Annual Performance Evaluations for staff. Maintain Department personnel records relating to certifications, testing, and continuing education.
Conduct pre-submittal and pre-construction meetings with design professionals, contractors, and owners.
Reviews building plans and construction workmanship for code and ordinance compliance in accordance with established standards; interprets applicable laws and regulations for contractors, owners, and other principles. Prepares reports and correspondence on violations and variations from adopted codes; reviews; drafts and updates codes.
Enforce all building and safety codes; explain, interpret, and provide guidance regarding all applicable codes to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and other interested parties.
Answers inquiries from the general public regarding the method and material used in the construction of their projects, meets with property owners who are contemplating doing their own projects and reviews their construction and renovation plans.
Meet with design/construction professionals as needed during the plan review and construction processes to discuss modifications necessary to ensure conformance with the applicable Village ordinances, codes, and other regulations.
Provide technical assistance and advise Senior Leadership, Elected Officials, and Village Commissions on construction matters. Prepare a variety of studies, reports, recommendations, and related information for decision-making purposes. Provide liaison and expertise to appointed Village Commissions as directed.
Review current trends and developments in the field of construction and make recommendations, prepare revisions to the municipal codes and ordinances or national/state codes by reference.
Recognize and implement process improvements that increase efficiency of department operations.
Coordinates Department operations with other Village Departments.
Investigates complaints regarding any code violation; inspects for defects in workmanship and / or materials for compliance. When necessary informs contractors and property owners as to what they must do to comply with the code, giving reasonable deadlines to have the work done or the condition corrected.
Will direct Inspectors to issue stop work orders, if contractors persist to work without a permit, install sub-standard materials, or do substandard work.
Teaches awareness of proper safety procedures and guidelines and applies these in performing daily activities and tasks: and performs related work as required.
Create systems to maintain reports and ensure follow-up on projects that require inspections; follow-up on stop work notices; and that contractors maintain necessary and valid Village Contractor and Business licenses with current state licenses and/or certification.
Ensure permit staff maintain all vital records for the department including permit information, architectural/construction plans and renderings, escrow and bond, inspection and compliance data. Furnish monthly building/construction reports/statistics to the Village or outside agencies as needed.
Directs the inspectors in collecting and preparing data and documentary evidence (photographs) on cases of non-compliance for the use in court. Teaches the inspectors how to appear and testify at legal proceedings as necessary.
Appears in court, providing subject matter expert testimony, as required.
Responds to, or delegates emergency calls from Fire and Police Departments to determine stability and/or safety of buildings struck by fire or other catastrophes. Deems structures uninhabitable, orders necessary repairs or demolition of damaged buildings. Condemns buildings as necessary.
Administrator of permit for permit tracking. Reviews trends in software development and record keeping, makes recommendation for technological enhancements to improve department efficiency.
Makes presentations to contractors, architects, engineers, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the public. Works with Village staff to disseminate information via newsletters, Public Service Announcements, Press Releases, MPDC, and seminars.
Serve on Village committees as assigned, i.e. weekly Development Review Team, Process Improvement teams, etc. Reviews and assigns housing and code complaints to appropriate inspectors. Accompanies inspectors to job site as necessary.
Attends neighborhood meetings to address citizens’ concerns about code violations.
Oversees and participates in the inspection of existing multi-family dwellings and premises for compliance with Village Codes.
Plans and conducts a regular program of inspections of all of the Village’s multi-family buildings.
Oversees and participates in the mediation or arbitration of disputes between property owners and tenants relative to the Village’s tenant/landlord ordinance.
Condemns buildings and structures as unsafe for human occupancy.
Reports monthly to the Village Board on status of major cases within the village.
Directs the investigation of complaints regarding any housing code violations pertaining to structural soundness, health, and safety standards.
Oversees and participates in the mediation or arbitration of disputes between property owners and tenants relative to the Village's tenant/landlord ordinance.
Develops and operates a program to receive and investigate nuisance complaints (e.g., weeds, trash or garbage accumulation, vermin & insect infestations, etc.).
Implements a program to inspect housing stock in certain areas of the Village.
Advises property owners on methods and approaches to upgrade and rehabilitate their properties.
Directs the preparation of letters to violators or owners of property.
Oversees the maintenance of records and reports regarding nuisance and housing code cases.
Submits periodical status reports on progress of housing inspections and outstanding complaints or violations.
Answers complaints and requests for housing code information.
Ensures staff properly document code violations by issuing citations to assure property owners know what they must do to comply with the code, giving reasonable deadlines to have the work done or the condition corrected.
Develops and implements an annual program to conduct regular inspections of food and drink establishments as part of the business license renewal process.
Oversees the conduct of special restaurant sanitation inspections to check into complaints received.
Directs and participates in the inspection of all temporary food events.
Processes unsatisfactory reports to close down the establishment if compliance is not forthcoming.
Directs the collection and preparation of data and documentary evidence on cases of non-compliance for use in court, appears, and testifies at legal proceedings (as needed).
Confers with other public health professionals relative to the interpretation and application of housing codes and related laws, ordinances and regulations, and with respect to the correction of defects found.
Prepares periodic reports of activities and assessment of program effectiveness; supervises, schedules, trains and evaluates subordinate employees.
Assures self and staff maintain an awareness of proper worker safety procedures and guidelines and apply these in performing daily activities and tasks.