Chief Building Official
: Job Details :

Salary: Depends on QualificationsLocation : DeKalb, ILJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 00239Department: Community DevelopmentDivision: BuildingOpening Date: 12/16/2024Job Summary JOB SUMMARY:The Chief Building Official is responsible for the planning and oversight of the Building & Code Compliance Division in the Community Development Department, supervision of assigned personnel and the coordination of functions with other City departments. Under the general direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Chief Building Official supervises all aspects of the Building & Code Compliance Division including enforcement of property maintenance codes and ordinances, building and fire plan review and inspections and building permit application services. The Chief Building Official works with a high level of discretion, technical independence and minimal guidance while making decisions to assure public health, welfare and safety. POSITION CONTEXT:The position of Chief Building Official is assigned to the Building & Code Compliance Division of the Community Development Department. The Chief Building Official is a full-time exempt position that handles highly sensitive and confidential information and works under the direct supervision of the Assistant City Manager. The Chief Building Official leads and oversees divisional staff including a Code Compliance Coordinator, Building Inspector II, Building Inspector I, and an Administrative Associate. Direct supervision is provided to the Code Compliance Coordinator and the Administrative Associate. The Chief Building Official provides guidance to the Fire Prevention Officer and coordinates the work of on-site contractors.The starting salary for the position is $103, 134 +/- commensurate with knowledge, skills and experience, The salary range for the position is $103,134-$149,544. The City of DeKalb provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits, life insurance coverage, HSA & flexible spending accounts, deferred compensation and participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).The position will remain open until filled. Initial review of applications will begin Friday, January 3, 2025. Essential Functions

• Manages the Building & Code Compliance Division and collaborates with the City Manager to identify the annual goals and objectives of the division. Supervises staff, develops and implements procedures and streamlines processes to enhance operations.
• Develops staff to ensure continual professional growth as content matter experts in related disciplines. Ensures staff achieve and maintain necessary building and fire certifications. Acts a resource to staff, interprets policies and codes and provides guidance and training.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises all aspects of the Building & Code Compliance Division including the administration and enforcement of the City's building, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, property maintenance and use codes.
• Participates in Development Review Team meetings in the review of new development and redevelopment proposals, annexation agreements, rezoning, conditional use and design review petitions.
• Promotes compliance with municipal codes and regulations governing building construction, housing, zoning, rehabilitation, alteration, use and occupancy of structures within the City through local media and public appearances.
• Monitors changes in codes and legislation, new building materials and construction methods and property maintenance. Provides updated interpretations of codes and regulations to the Community Development Director, City staff and City Manager. Drafts revisions and recommends updates or changes to codes, ordinances and local regulations for the City Manager's review.
• Reviews construction documents for conformance to the City's building and fire codes and ordinances and technical construction requirements. Oversees the issuance of stop work orders for work started without a permit or not in compliance with approved plans or City ordinances. Such orders can only be executed with the consent of the Assistant City Manager. Works in conjunction with the Police Department and City Attorney on the enforcement of building and property maintenance codes. Oversees divisional response to legal action, including preparation of court information and testimony as an expert witness.
• Explains, interprets and provides guidance regarding applicable codes to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, owners/residents and other interested parties. Answers questions regarding building and property maintenance codes, establishes valuations and permit cost for new projects based on codes, regulations and policies. Serves in capacity of Chief Building Official, as referenced in the City code. Makes decisions and rulings in that capacity.
• Collaborates with other departmental staff in providing professional support to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Building Code Board of Appeals and City Manager regarding building, zoning and code compliance matters.
• Researches problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction and code compliance. Recommends corrective actions and resolves issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Conducts and oversees field inspections on complex or large scope projects. Reviews specifications and engineering calculations to determine compliance with legal requirements of codes, ordinances and accepted engineering practices. Consults with third party professionals as necessary.
• Provides direct oversight to onsite contractors.
• Makes recommendations to the City Manager on divisional budget and monitors on-going expenses.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, ordinances and other materials relating to building permits, code enforcement, certificates of occupancy, inspections and violations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attends meetings and acts on the behalf of the City Manager, relating to community and building related activities, as requested.
• Coordinates or responds to special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Makes presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups and the public as requested.
• Serves as the department's point person in the event of an OSHA or Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) inspection.
• Attends professional development meetings and represents the City at various seminars.
• Responds and is available for after-hours contact for emergency management incidents as needed.
• Attends professional development workshops and seminars to obtain and maintain required certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• First and foremost, this position requires an agreeable and approachable personality prepared at all times to handle public concerns in a timely, professional, and solicitous manner regardless of the manner and tone in which the concerns are brought to the CBO's attention.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and legal procedures relative to municipal code enforcement.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques within the building industry and their relationship to building inspections, building and fire codes and other applicable codes.
• Knowledge of construction practices, materials and methods relating to structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and other related fields.
• Ability to read and interpret codes, ordinances and plans dealing with building construction and the ability to recognize deviations from such plans in the construction process.
• Ability to stay abreast of recent developments, trends and best practices used in municipal code inspection and enforcement programs.
• Ability to effectively engage and represent the City with community stakeholders on a wide range of projects and programs related to community development, building and fire safety.
• Ability to plan, schedule, manage and complete projects of varying degrees of difficulty, size and complexity within critical time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate on a variety of departmental and City-wide initiatives to enhance the delivery of all City services.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisors, staff members, elected officials, property owners, residents, contractors and the general public.
• Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with the public, property owners, contractors and professionals and to provide consistent and fair enforcement of municipal requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ability to direct the work of others while leading and motivating a team.
• Knowledge of budgetary principles and practices.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential and sensitive information and work independently while exercising good judgement and initiative.

• Ability to maintain professional composure and take reasonable action when confronted with difficult situations.

• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours and respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours as required.
• Ability to use the City's permit tracking and inspection systems and GIS.
• Ability to operate instruments, tools and equipment that are job related.
• Ability to drive to and from inspection sites.

Minimum Qualifications Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's Degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management preferred, but not required.
• CBO certification is required or must be obtained within an agreed upon timeframe (typically within the first two years of employment).
• Certifications in a number of building construction disciplines such as commercial inspector, electrical, plumbing, 1 & 2 family dwellings, mechanical, fire protection, etc. are desirable.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training as required.
• Valid driver's license required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in general construction, building inspection or other related field desired.

• Experience working in or for municipal building and/or code compliance departments strongly preferred.

• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience required. Previous experience includes leading a team through direct supervision of staff or supervision of a project team, vendors, contractors, etc. Previous experience should include delegating and planning of tasks, training, evaluating effectiveness and providing feedback to others.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite required. Experience with computer software used for inspections and code enforcement required or the ability to learn and obtain proficiency.

Supplemental Information WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Duties are performed primarily indoors in an office with occasional work outdoors. While working in the office, the person in this position will regularly sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear on the phone and in person. While working outdoors, the person in this position will routinely stand for prolonged periods of time, stoop, kneel, bend, climb, crawl or crouch to reach items and maneuver/navigate all types of terrain including uneven terrain and terrain typically found at a major construction site. Inspections may include climbing and bending and may require fitting into tight, small, low, high and generally awkward spaces.
• The position will occasionally lift, move or replace heavy object or tools weighing up to 20 pounds.
• The position requires the ability to see close and at a distance and with a peripheral vision as well as adjusted to distinguish objects and colors. The position also requires the ability to hear ordinary conversation, such as questions from residents, as well as other sounds, including the back-up alarm on trucks and other equipment, radio-dispatched calls and /or signals and calls for help from others.
• Physical working conditions which may provide exposure to air contaminates such as dust, fumes, smoke, dirt, disagreeable odors, low illumination, poor visibility, noise, etc.
• This position will have frequent contact with others in person and over the telephone.
• At times, workloads can be extensive with limited time for response/and or action. Position requires prolonged periods of concentration and the ability to cope with numerous interruptions and changing priorities.
• This position will require travel to various municipal buildings, inspection sites and other off-site meetings during the day and may be exposed to weather elements.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• General office equipment including tablets, personal computers, cellular telephone, desk phone and architects' and engineers' scales.
• Field inspection equipment including binoculars, flashlight, ladders, cameras and equipment that measures sound, light, vibration and odor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• This position will require the ability to work outside of normal business including evenings, weekends and on-call as necessary.
• This position will require occasional travel within the Chicagoland area.

SELECTION PROCESS:

• The selection process includes submission of an application, interview, and a background check. The physical examination and drug screen are completed upon conditional offer.

STATEMENT OF OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER:The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. Please click to view the City's policy regarding the hiring of immediate family members of a current City employee, elected official, or appointed official prior to completing an application for employment.The City of DeKalb is an Equal Opportunity EmployerThe City of DeKalb provides a comprehensive benefits package that beings on the first day of employment and includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Plans through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund or the Fire/Police Pension Funds
• Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance program

01 What prompted you to apply for the Chief Building Official position with the City of DeKalb? 02 Please summarize your experience in general construction, building inspection or other related experience. 03 Please describe your background in interpreting building codes, explaining code adherence to the public, and ensuring code compliance. 04 Please describe your experience reading and interpreting building plans, specifications and blueprints and experience reading plans on-line. 05 Please list any certifications that you possess that may be pertinent to the position. Required Question