Building Official

Description

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs and supervises activities of the Building and Safety Department for Humboldt County; interprets building codes, rules and regulations; inspects construction for building code compliance; investigates building code violations; issues citations; and performs other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single position, department head classification responsible for the overall management of the Humboldt County Building and Safety Department and for supervision of its staff and management of its resources consistent with the administrative direction of the County Manager and the policy direction of the Board of County Commissioners. An employee in this class is an "at-will" employee serving at the pleasure of the County. The Building Official is a senior-level management position responsible for the comprehensive oversight and administration of the building department, with authority extending across all phases of the development and permitting process. This role is distinguished by its multifaceted responsibilities, combining technical expertise in plan review and inspections with administrative oversight, code enforcement authority, and policy development.

Examples of Duties

• Writes, updates, and recommends revisions to county ordinances related to building, fire, property maintenance, code enforcement and floodplain management; works with legal counsel, planning staff, and elected officials to ensure ordinances are clear, enforceable, and up to date with local, state and federal regulations.

• Provides technical assistance and guidance to property owners, developers, contractors, and the public; explains codes, processes, and requirements in a clear and professional manner.

• Provides leadership, training, and oversight to department staff, including building inspectors, plan reviewers, and permit technicians; conducts performance evaluations and coordinates professional development.

• Prepares and administers the department's annual budget; monitors expenditure, identifies resource needs, ensures fiscal responsibility and efficiency in departmental operations and develops and recommends fee structures for department services.

• Reviews, inspects and approves sewage disposal systems.

• Develops, updates, and enforces departmental policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines to align with current codes, technologies, and best practices.

• Serves as the community's Floodplain Administrator; reviews development proposals in flood hazard areas, ensures compliance with FEMA and NFIP regulations, and maintains required documentation and community ratings.

• Manages and supervises the entire permitting process including application intake, plan review, permit issuance, and final inspections; ensures accuracy, efficiency, and transparency in all permitting procedures.

• Conducts and oversees field inspections of new construction, remodels, additions, and repairs to ensure compliance with approved plans, codes, and safety standards; issues correction notices and final approvals.

• Investigates code violations and complaints related to building, fire, property maintenance, code enforcement and zoning codes; initiates enforcement actions including notices of violation, stop-work orders, unsafe for occupancy notices and legal proceedings as necessary.

• Acts as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on fire code issues in designated situations; collaborates with state fire departments to ensure compliance with fire safety codes during plan review and field inspections.

• Reviews and approves residential, commercial, and industrial construction plans for compliance with applicable building codes, fire codes, and floodplain management standards.

• Selects, directs, develops and evaluates department staff; instructs and trains staff to enhance staff capabilities and improvements in the delivery of services; advises staff on resolution of problems; hears, responds to and resolves staff problems, concerns, complaints and grievances; administers discipline.

• Advises the County Manager and Board of Commissioners in assigned program areas; makes oral and written presentations to Board of Commissioners and to other public and private groups; writes reports and correspondence to county officials, government agencies and members of the public; investigates and resolves complaints and concerns regarding departmental services; acts as liaison with other agencies and the public with regard to department activities; assists builders and general public in understanding building rules, regulations and procedures.

• Reviews and approves building plans, specifications, applications, and documentation for compliance with applicable codes, setbacks and regulations; calculates building permit fees; issues certificates of occupancy.

• Performs inspections for compliance with applicable codes and regulations for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings during various stages of construction, alteration, demolition and repair; existing buildings for change of use or occupancy; and manufactured housing, mobile homes and recreational vehicles.

• Inspects construction elements such as foundations, concrete, steel, masonry, wood construction, framing, plastering, plumbing, mechanical, heating and electrical installations and a variety of other complex and routine building system elements.

• Identifies building code noncompliance and issues correction notices; may halt operations which are in violation or pose a danger to the public; prepares evidence and reports and may be required to appear in court as an expert witness; investigates complaints received from the public and from other public agencies regarding violations of applicable codes and regulations.

• Fosters and maintains professional working relationships and a spirit of cooperation with County Administration, all other County offices and departments, and all County elected and appointed boards.

Required Certifications and Licenses

• ICC B1 Residential Building Inspector
• ICC B2 Commercial Building Inspector
• ICC B3 Plans Examiner
• ICC E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
• ICC E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector
• ICC M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector
• ICC M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector
• ICC P1 Residential Plumbin