Building Official job in Olympia

About the Position 

The City of Olympia seeks a seasoned manager with experience in all aspects of building permitting, inspection and code enforcement to fill its Building Official position. 
 
Olympia is the Capital City of the State of Washington and has an active building environment not typical of a mid-sized city.  Olympia also has an engaged citizenry that expects transparency and accountability from its public officials.  This position, therefore, will require a candidate who has extraordinary technical skills and unquestioned ethical standards.  If you believe you possess these qualities please consider applying for this exciting position.
 
Ideal Candidate Profile

• Performs supervisory, administrative and technical work directing the department's building plan review, inspection, code enforcement and floodplain administration programs.
• Ensure compliance of all new construction and alterations of existing structures with applicable state and municipal codes; implement city and department procedures, practices and policies; and perform all duties assigned to the City's Building Official under applicable codes and statutes.
• Ensure division personnel provide excellent customer service and use respectful communication at all times, throughout all internal and external communications.
• Be able to use their discretion to help applicants solve problems while ensuring the health and safety of the public is protected.
• Have current ICC Certification as a Building Official, or the ability to obtain certification within the amount of time determined by the Department Director.

To Apply

• Submit a current resume, letter of interest, and at least three professional references by attaching them to your electronic application.
• The letter of interest must be no more than two pages long and include specific examples of how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (above).
• This is a continuous recruitment.  In order to be considered for the first round of interviews, submit your application materials by 5 pm March 25, 2019.
• Only electronic applications are accepted.

Contact Information

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Leonard Bauer Community Planning and Development Deputy Director, at (360) 753-8206, email lbauer@ci.olympia.wa.usor Carl Watts, Personnel Analyst, at (360) 753-8305, email cwatts@ci.olympia.wa.us.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

1. Participate with the Director and Deputy Director in establishing division goals and objectives, work plans and budgets.
2. Manage division operations, including inspections, plan review and code enforcement, to accomplish goals and objectives.
3. Direct and evaluate the work of division personnel.  Identify and recommend appropriate personnel actions to the Director, and coordinate implementation of approved actions.
4. Participate as a member of the department leadership team, collaborating with other managers to address department-wide issues and initiatives, and advising the Director.
5. Responsible for ensuring the application and enforcement of codes and processing of building permit applications is professional and efficient, in close collaboration with other divisions and departments.  Serve as hearing officer as assigned by City codes and procedures.
6. Make final determinations deeming construction as detrimental or dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the public; declare buildings as dangerous or unsafe as needed.
7. Ensure division personnel provide excellent customer service and use respectful communication at all times, throughout all internal and external communications.
8. Create and oversee all public information for the division, including customer handouts and information interpreting and explaining codes, regulations and policies.  Proactively identify opportunities for improvement in outreach and educational efforts.
9. Work closely with other department staff and information services personnel to administer the city's automated permit system, including its on-line portal for permit application and payment.  Seek opportunities and ideas for constant improvement in making all automated systems convenient and accurate for customers and citizens. 
10. Study and keep abreast of new materials, methods, procedures and laws related to building construction, code enforcement, floodplain management and related fields.  Evaluate new opportunities and recommend actions to Department Director when advantageous to the City and its citizens.
11. Effectively and responsively communicate with customers, citizens, colleagues, and media representatives in a positive and respectful manner at all times.  Provide clear and concise information verbally and in writing, and take advantage of opportunities to convey City goals and policies whenever possible.
12. Administer the division's budget, managing expenditures within adopted budget limitations.  Evaluate and recommend fees for division services annually.
13. Serve as the City's floodplain manager for buildings and construction, in collaboration with appropriate staff in the Department of Public Works.
14. Participate as a member of the City's Emergency Operations Team in emergency response efforts, and serve in the Emergency Operations Center as needed.
15. Manage and coordinate use of professional services contracts to assist with division responsibilities as needed.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.
17. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Requirements:

1. Sit or stand to review plans and specifications 15% of the time.
2. Lift between 5 and 20 lbs. approximately 1% of the time.
3. Reach, twist, and/or turn approximately 2% of the time.
4. Look at a computer screen approximately 15% of the time.
5. Use phone communications approximately 7% of the time.
6. Walk approximately 20% of the time.
7. Sit for extended period of time approximately 15% of the time.
8. Stoop approximately 2% of the time.
9. Bend approximately 2% of the time.
10. Crawl approximately 1% of the time.
11. Climb approximately 1% of the time.
12. Drive a vehicle approximately 15% of the time.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Demonstrated exceptional skills in collaborative leadership.
2. Thorough and intimate knowledge of the building, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, accessibility, and all other codes applicable in Washington state, and all related local and state regulations.  Ability to apply performance-based practices of the codes, and balance code compliance issues with customer-service orientation.
3. Understanding of code enforcement procedures and practices.
4. Familiarity with requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) related to structures in designated flood hazard areas.
5. Exceptional ability to clearly communicate with a wide variety of individuals and groups, both orally and in writing.
6. Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with customers, fellow City staff and citizens; and consistently resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
7. Ability to effectively manage and supervise employees in accomplishing program objectives and carrying out City policies; and establish and maintain a positive, productive and equitable work environment.
8. Skill at developing and presenting informational and training materials with clarity.
9. Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications and accurately compare them with construction or other activity in process and with provisions of applicable codes. 
10. Strong understanding of automated permitting systems, digital plan review systems, and related computer and communications software and hardware.
11. Ability to effectively negotiate and execute professional services contracts and ensure their implementation.
12. Demonstrated ability to detect inferior materials and construction, and situations that pose potentially hazardous or unsafe conditions.
13. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and over rough terrain.  Physically capable of safely moving about on construction work sites and around buildings that may have undergone structural damage.
14. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials and information.
15. Skill at effectively carrying out all responsibilities in a very fast-paced work environment. 

Experience/Education:

1. Associate's degree or two years college-level course work in building technology, construction techniques or related field, and six years' work experience in building codes administration, plan review and inspection that includes three years of staff supervisory responsibility.
2. OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 
3. Current ICC Certification as Building Official required.
4. Additional certification as Commercial and Residential Building, Plumbing, Mechanical Inspector and Plans Examiner preferred
5. OR other qualifying combination of credentials as determined by the City.

Special Requirements

1. Valid Washington State driver's license required.