Inspections Division Manager

Buncombe County Government•Asheville, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Buncombe County is seeking an experienced and motivated Permits and Inspections Division Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership within the Permits and Inspections Department. This role reports directly to the Permits and Inspections Director and will oversee the daily operations of the Inspection Division. The Permits and Inspections Department includes a team of twenty-three employees dedicated to protecting the life, safety, and welfare of residents by administering and enforcing the North Carolina State Building Codes as adopted by the NC Building Code Council. Buncombe County Permits and Inspections provides building inspections and permitting services for all unincorporated areas of Buncombe County and through contractual agreements, provides these services for the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, Montreat, and Woodfin. Candidates must hold Level Three Standard Certification in Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical fields from the North Carolina Code Qualification Board. This is an in-person position. The purpose of this position is to provide division leadership and direction and is responsible for developing and administering programs, activities and systems to support and promote high performance strategies and to meet departmental priorities, goals and objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field and five (5) years of experience in the building trades and / or inspections, including two (2) years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of a Level III Standard Certificates in four (4) trades from the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board; including 6 hours of continuing education in each trade per calendar year.
Knowledge of the various codes to be enforced and the related regulations.
Knowledge of contemporary construction practices, methods, materials, and equipment and of those stages of construction when possible defects and violations may be most easily observed and corrected.
Ability to detect structural and other faults and to appraise the quality of construction.
Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and blueprints quickly and accurately, and to compare them with construction in progress.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in analyzing and resolving problems and ability to manage the department in the Director’s absence.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, building owners, contractors, and the general public.
Ability to coordinate work assignments with other individuals.
Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and daily management of the Inspections Division, and oversight of all residential and commercial inspection activities.
Ensures inspection processes, code interpretations, and enforcement actions are accurate, consistent, and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversees division policies, quality control, audit inspections, and continuous improvement of inspection standards and procedures.
Plans and manages the division budget in coordination with the Department Director, monitors resource utilization, and ensures projects and inspections remain on schedule.
Leads inspector training, certification, performance evaluation, and professional development; creates and delivers training content and ensures compliance with evolving laws and rules.
Coordinates permit application, permit issuance, and certificate‑of‑occupancy processes and resolves issues requiring technical code interpretation for citizens, contractors, and design professionals.
Handles customer complaints related to contractors and construction quality, issuing re‑inspections, corrective actions, or stop‑work orders as necessary.
Acts as liaison to other code enforcement agencies to promote alignment and consistency in standards and enforcement.
Serves as departmental lead in the Director’s absence.
Perform other related duties as assigned.