Building Official

Job Summary

Responsible for administration of the Minnesota State Building Code, including department staffing, code enforcement, development of policy and procedures, permit processing, plan review, building inspections, and the issuance of certificates of occupancy for code compliant buildings and structures in the townships of Scott County. Provides for minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare throughout code compliant buildings and structures.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Administers building codes as they apply to the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, and use of any building, structure, and/or building service equipment.
• Attends and represents the county/department at various meetings, forums, conference, etc., as required, requested, and/or assigned.
• Analyzes code changes and determines when updates are necessary; recommends code amendments to the County Board in compliance with state statute and regulations.
• Supervises the overall building inspections operation, staff, and activities; trains and coaches staff to ensure they have the ability to administer the existing building codes through plan reviews and inspections; monitors, evaluates, and reports on each staff member's work productivity and accuracy.
• Meets and confers with design professionals, including architects and engineers, to evaluate permit projects; where differences have been encountered, meets with parties and take necessary steps to ensure a positive working relationship and conformance with county codes.
• Develops procedures and policies for staff to implement when processing building permits and plan reviews and when performing field inspections.
• Manages the departmental budget and expenditures for resources, including equipment, code manuals, office supplies, and training materials.
• Drives process improvement efforts in the building inspections area by following industry trends, evaluating available technology, and implementing change on a consistent basis.
• Collaborates with other work areas to identify business practice improvement opportunities, cross-training opportunities, and eliminate process redundancies between both county and external local government work units.
• Conducts research for code compliance of materials and systems in buildings and structures.
• Directs actions on enforcement of code violations via formal notification; may confer with County Attorney's office and provide testimony in court action.
• Plans for and ensures disaster preparedness of the building inspection department staff, including providing for Minnesota Incident Management System training; declares when hazardous buildings are to be demolished.
• Reviews, researches, prepares, and submits reports as required and/or necessary.
• Monitors and resolves issues and complaints made by others regarding the inspection staff and permit processing by the customer service staff.
• Manages the department motor vehicle pool.
• Coordinates with Environmental Health Department on new and existing Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (ISTS) for compliance with county requirements and zoning ordinance.
• Coordinates reviews of model homes and new subdivision plans for compliance with subdivision requirements.
• Coordinates plan checking with other departments of the county affected by construction and ensures their approval of plans before permits and certificates of occupancy are approved.
• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires State of Minnesota Building Official Certification, plus five years of building construction or building inspections experience, of which two years must be building inspections experience, administering the State Building codes. Must be able to obtain Minnesota Incident Management System (MNIMS) certification within 12 months of hire.

Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Preference given for supervisory experience, International Code Council (ICC) Building Inspector certification, ICC Mechanical Inspector certification, ICC Plumbing Inspector certification, and ICC Plans Examiner certification.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from the County Assessor and/or Community Services Director. The employee works on own initiative and must regularly exercise technical judgment and discretion based on familiarity with a wide variety of construction problems. The work is subject to periodic review.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the State Building, Plumbing, Fire, Energy, and Mechanical Codes and ability to interpret these codes.

Knowledge of the design and construction of residential and commercial structures and accessories.

Knowledge of the quality and strength of building materials.

Knowledge of Zoning Ordinance and county codes and ability to take action as necessary to ensure compliance.

Knowledge of the county ISTS regulations.

Knowledge of the political boundaries of the county and the organizational structure of the county, townships, and their officials' municipalities.

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to show competency requirements for work experience.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, community and public officials, other employees, and the general public.

Ability to perform professional building plan reviews and inspections of considerable difficulty in the office and the field.

Ability to effectively supervise, train, motivate, and discipline professional and support personnel.

Ability to detect structural and other faults and to recommend corrective actions.

Ability to read and interpret building plans, specifications, and blueprints accurately and to compare them with construction in process.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to independently make decisions recognizing established procedures, and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.

Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and to work from field sketches and plans.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires field work, typically in a construction oriented setting; and inside work, typically in an office setting. One may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.

Physical activities include light to medium work: Sitting, talking, hearing, seeing, driving, standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, pushing, pulling, feeling, reaching, lifting, grasping, twisting above the waist, bending at waist, repetitive hand and arm motion, and fine finger manipulation in the use of a computer. Incumbent will climb ladders, enter crawl spaces, and exert force to maneuver items, and lifts and/or navigate up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.