Chief Building Inspector

Job Summary/Scope
Serves as the authority having jurisdiction responsible for directing enforcement of building codes and standards. Participates in standards and appeals board hearings and reviews actions taken. Oversees reviews plans for compliance with building codes. Provides information to the public on matters relating to building codes, building code enforcement of City Codes. Directly supervises Building Development staff members. Develops, trains and ensures compliance with inspection standards. Develops, prepares and monitors annual budget for the Building Development Division. Recommends adjustments as necessary in fees charged for permits and inspections. Responsible for coordination of Citys Flood Plain Administration.

Supervisory Responsibility
Integral to the position of Chief Building Official is the responsibility for developing subordinates to their fullest potential by exercising appropriate degrees of coaching, training, guiding, evaluating, correcting and, if necessary, disciplining.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

– Interacts with building contractors, architects, engineers and the general public on matters pertaining to building codes and permit requirements for all forms of building construction.
– Applies adopted and empirical standards by which plans are reviewed in accordance with applicable building codes. Oversees plan reviews and inspection processes.
– Oversees the administration of divisional records and issuance of permit, certifications and licensing programs.
– Oversees program development for inspection by the Building Development teams. Issues stop work orders.
– Establishes all building inspection standards for the division.
– Serves as the backup for all inspectors.
– Serves as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) point of contact relative to physical accessibility standards.
– Administers all paperwork and direct review process of Floodplain Development Permit applications for work in St Joseph flood plain and floodway in coordination with FEMA and NFIP maps.
– Participates in formal board meetings (Such as the Building and Fire Prevention Code Board of Appeals, Electrical Standards and Appeals Boar, Board of Operating Engineers, Mechanical Standards Board of Appeals, and the Plumbers Examining and Appeals Board) and activities and provides recommendations to Director which may result in decisions on code variances.
– Acts as the Dangerous Building Hearing Officer at Administrative Hearings. Provides expert witness testimony as required.
– Maintains regular contact with architects, contractors, building trades and the general public regarding building regulation issues. Evaluates issues and options regarding the role of the City of St. Joseph in the regulation and enforcement of building issues and provides recommendations to the Director.
– Creates and causes to be maintained a logical filing system of building permits and all related information for current and future use which will contain an accessible computer database.
– Responds to Police and Fire calls relating to dangerous buildings.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct
City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.