Chief Building Official (CBO) (Inspector / Plans Examiner)

About the role

Chief Building Official for the city's building department. Inspects new and existing buildings and structures to enforce conformance to building, grading, and zoning laws and approves plans, specifications, and standards. Inspects existing housing structures and property as well as enforcement of ordinances, zoning regulations and environmental nuisances. Work includes responsibility for performing field and office work. Inspections are conducted independently in accordance with departmental regulations.

Responsibilities

• Inspects commercial, industrial, and residential buildings during and after construction, alterations, and repairs to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances to include but not limited to building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, approved plans, specification, and standards.
• Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with code provisions and inspects properties as required to approve plans and specifications.
• Inspects work sites to ensure possession of required licenses and permits.
• Conducts inspections for compliance with the City minimum housing and zoning codes and investigates complaints of unauthorized installations, violations of city codes, planning and zoning ordinances, tree ordinances, sign ordinances, and property maintenance.
• Identifies violations as a result of inspections and document reviews. Proactively finds code violations and initiates contact with violator.
• Interacts with business owners, property owners, and contractors. Conveys information regarding deficiencies and/or violations noted during inspections or investigations and provides technical assistance and recommends corrective actions as necessary.
• Conducts follow-up investigations or re-inspections to ensure and document corrective measures were taken for all non-compliances.
• Issues compliance and/or violation notices establishing time constraints for compliance and posts properties in accordance with state laws as required.
• Enforces compliance with the City's zoning code regulations.
• Prepares documentation for City Council agendas and for the placement of advertisements. Develops paperwork as deemed necessary to support court cases.
• Compiles and completes data for administrative and public reports; composes routine memos, letters, legal forms, notices and other material required for efficient job performance and code compliance.
• Maintains accurate documentation and case files on all investigations, inspections, enforcement actions and other job-related activities including accurate and detailed information regarding code enforcement activity to substantiate violations; draw diagrams or illustrations as necessary and take photographs.
• Manages the review of plans and specifications for permit approval and issuance as required.
• Confers with Safety and Service Director and Chief of Police as necessary for technical assistance and information.
• Maintains records of inspections and actions taken as required.
• Develops and administers a proactive code enforcement program.
• On call twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
• Provide staff assistance to the Safety and Service Director; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of code enforcement administration.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints with the utmost tact.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent or Associate's Degree in construction management, public administration, urban studies, or related studies.
• Three years related experience in structural inspections and/or training in the methods, materials, and techniques involved in building construction, repair, and alteration and the installation of electrical plumbing and heating systems and equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Ohio Driver's License.
• OBC Building Inspector Certification (4101:7-3-01(E)).
• Must possess all required certifications set forth by state and federal guidelines.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of all federal, state and local housing, building, and zoning laws, codes, and regulations governing all aspects of use and occupancy.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to detect code and ordinance violations and to determine appropriate remedial actions (e.g., ability to detect and identify deficiencies in materials or construction).
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the general public.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts and the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to deal with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Possess strong customer service skills with the ability to remain calm in sometimes stressful situations.
• Ability to extract legal descriptions and ownership information from records as required.
• Ability to enforce regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret and apply plans specifications, drawings, and blueprints to work in progress.
• Maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees, supervisor and other departments.
• Ability to maintain regular and consistent attendance.