City of Springfield, Oregon

City of Springfield, Oregon: Deputy Building Official

This is a class specification and not an individualized job description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list every duty for a given position in a classification.

Representation: Non Represented

FSLA: Exempt

Job Code: 168537

Grade/Range: 37

General Summary of Duties

Under the general supervision of the Community Services Manager, supervises the daily operations of the Building Safety Section of the Community Services Division including all building permit review and inspection services. Performs plan review services, assists with the supervision and training of staff, conducts building inspections when necessary, coordinates and assists with monitoring of the inspection and plan review process to ensure compliance with applicable codes, related ordinances and national standards. Creates and maintains strong relationships with elected officials, stakeholder groups, media and the development community. Performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The principle function of an employee in this classification is to provide the day-to-day supervision for the Building safety staff and to perform inspection and related technical functions in the capacity of a working supervisor. Incumbents are responsible for independent decision making that requires technical judgment and the expectation to resolve most public relations conflict with little supervision or assistance. The Deputy Building Official is distinguished from the Building Official in its more limited scope of responsibility within the division and its role of implementing and carrying out the overall direction of the Building Official.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Reports to the Community Services Manager. Supervises staff responsible for building permit review and inspection services.

Essential Job Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.

· Supervises the Building Safety staff responsible for the building plan review and inspection functions of the Community Services division; coordinates, organizes and evaluates the daily work activities by prioritizing and assigning work to personnel in order to meet division goals;

· Provides recommendations and/or options to the Building Official for code interpretations necessary to accommodate and/or control new materials and new design concepts; interacts with architects/engineers, builders/developers and property owners to explain building permit/inspection process;

· Confers with contractors, developers, attorneys, staff, and other public agencies to resolve technical and administrative issues on construction projects or enforcement cases; acts as a liaison with other departments and public agencies on work unit problem areas;

· Maintains current and comprehensive records for document control of complex building projects; completes the research for legal and technical building issues;

· Performs technical plan review of commercial, industrial and residential structures as needed to maintain established turn-around times; conducts site visits as needed to resolve plan review issues;

· Performs building field inspection services as needed; conducts site visits when necessary to resolve building inspection issues;

· Coordinates with inspection and plan review staff to ensure consistency in the application of code requirements;

· Coordinates the abatement or demolition of substandard and/or dangerous buildings; initiates and files construction/demolition orders and monitors onsite activities;

· Assists the Building Official in the training of staff in techniques of plan review, field inspections, permit issuance, office procedures and customer service;

· Serves on a variety of task teams and committees; may develop reports and make presentations to public bodies;

· Maintains regular job attendance and adherence to working hours

· Performs other related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

· The Oregon Structural Specialty Code;

· The methods and practices involved in building design and construction with special emphasis on fire and life safety;

· Plan review and inspection methods and procedures;

· Federal, state and local building codes and regulations;

· Statutes and regulations that effect division activities;

· Building Safety operations;

· Program coordination, organizing and evaluation techniques;

· Conflict resolution methods;

· Supervisory techniques, methods and principles;

Ability to:

· Utilize knowledge of structural systems as it relates to residential and commercial construction;

· Apply various building codes and regulations in City inspection services;

· Read complex blueprints, schematics and plans;

· Effectively explain code violations to contractors, builders and property owners;

· Operate computers, associated software and other equipment sufficiently to perform the duties of the position;

· Complete timely, accurate and understandable reports, letters and other correspondence;

· Establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers, contractors, vendors, other agencies and the public;

· Create and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, stakeholder groups, media and the development community;

· Remain calm in emotionally charged situations and to respond in a logical and decisive manner that maintains a constructive working relationships;

· Resolve conflicts equitably and responsively;

· Work with ambiguity and contradiction as a natural part of the working environment;

· Anticipate problems/issues with limited information and present options for resolution;

· Establish and demonstrate a clear direction for staff;

· Balance conflicting needs in a fast-paced work environment;

· Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;

· Conduct inspection safely at sites that are in various stages of construction, and may require walking on uneven terrain, and climbing ladders and scaffolding;

Experience and Training: Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Training:

Completion or equivalent of two years of job-related college program plus

Experience:

Related work experience, typically five years, of increasingly responsible experience in all types of building construction or inspection of which three years of experience is as an A-level Plans Examiner or A-Level Structural Inspector, and at least two years as a lead worker or project leader. Additional related work experience may be substituted for the required education.