Building Official

About the role

This position oversees the enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) and related regulations within Stafford County. It involves daily oversight and supervision of building permitting, plan review, and inspection functions.

Responsibilities

• Oversees building permitting, plan review, and inspections to ensure compliance with the VUSBC and related codes.
• Captures and maintains records and files; prepares reports.
• Directly supervises the Deputy Building Official, Building Inspections Supervisor, and Community Development Service Center (Permitting) Manager or Supervisor.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, and evaluates work of the Building Division staff.
• Ensures public health, safety, and welfare in relation to the design, construction, and use of permitted buildings and structures.
• Oversees the operation and management of the Permitting division.
• Answers technical questions from contractors, developers, design professionals, engineers, architects, owners, building occupants, general public, etc., regarding administrative and building code requirements, building permitting, plan review and inspection procedures and policies, contractor licensing laws, tradesmen certification standards, and building-related activities.
• Reviews, approves, and issues violation notices, stop work orders, and other compliance directives.
• Counsels and represents the County in applicable administrative hearings and court proceedings.
• Develops operational procedures, performance metrics, and customer service standards for the Department of Development Services.
• Prepares reports and presentations for the Director of Development Services.
• Provides leadership on complex or high-priority projects and serves as a technical resource.
• Assists in the development and implementation of building permitting, plan review, and inspection strategies, policies, and professional standards.
• Works collaboratively with Planning, Zoning, Code Enforcement, County & Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices, and other departments on compliance and development issues.
• Develops and delivers training for staff and stakeholders.
• Maintains workload, trend, and performance data to inform decision-making and resource needs.
• Attends meetings and conferences with developers, engineers, architects, contractors, community associations, and local trade representatives to discuss and/or resolve issues concerning code applications, community concerns and/or issues, standards and testing requirements.

Requirements

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school, supplemented by coursework in public administration, engineering, construction, code enforcement, regulatory compliance, or related fields, and seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in building permitting, plan review, inspections, regulatory compliance, or related work, including at least two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, engineering, planning, construction management, criminal justice, or related field is preferred.
• Within 12 months, possess Certification as a Building Official (CBO) per the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).
• Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.

Benefits

Note: All employees are required to have direct deposit of their bi-weekly paychecks into one or more financial institution(s) of their choice. Information must be presented at time of hire. Proper Identification must be shown at time of hire in order to complete the necessary paperwork for compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.