Chief Building Official

Job Title

Town of Bluffton (SC)

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to administer and enforce various Town and state codes regulating the construction, use, and occupancy of buildings and structures for the Town of Bluffton (Town). This position also oversees daily operations; directs the Building Safety Office; supervises as well as performs inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings during and after construction to ensure code compliance; ensures that plan reviews and inspections are conducted on a timely basis; answers technical questions on code compliance; oversees related budget and spending; and performs related administrative, supervisory, and technical work.

Essential Job Functions

Plans, directs, and supervises all activities of the office including plan reviews and building inspection; ensures compliance with all applicable Town policies and procedures, and other laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances. Supervises office staff, consultants, and contract employees; instructs, plans, and assigns work; coordinates activities; allocates personnel; selects new employees; acts on employee problems; provides feedback; and recommends / approves employee discipline and discharge when warranted. Serves as the Fire Code Office and Floodplain Administrator for vertical construction. Conducts commercial plan reviews; communicates with architects, engineers, contractors, and owners throughout the process of planning, correcting, and issuing the permit. Administers the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Reviews the work of assigned employees and contractors for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; and offers advice and assistance as needed. Provides for training and professional development of staff; ensures assigned inspectors and plan examiners maintain required certifications. Prepares and administers the office budget. Develops, implements, and modifies office policies and procedures pertaining to building inspection and plan review. Evaluates and makes recommendations for changes in the Town's ordinances related to building inspection and permitting. Monitors the progress of activities; ensures that resources are efficiently used and that projects stay on schedule. Interprets building codes and regulations. Meets with contractors and design professionals to coordinate plan review, inspections, and permitting activities. Resolves conflicts between contractors and office staff. Conducts the more difficult inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; assists assigned employees with inspections as necessary; inspects properties for substandard conditions or structural damage as necessary or as requested by Fire or Police Department personnel. Works on-call 24 hours per day, seven days per week for emergency response as scheduled; or ensures appropriate and adequate staffing for such on-call service. Receives and responds to public inquiries, concerns, and complaints regarding office and Department programs and projects; attends neighborhood community meetings and events related to building safety programs and services. Attends training, conferences, seminars, meetings, etc., to maintain awareness of current legislation, trends, and technology in the building inspection and plan review field. Receives and reviews construction / architectural plans, site inspection reports, correspondence, permit applications, etc. Prepares : certificates of occupancy; ordinances; plan review reports; inspection reports; budget documents; citations; performance appraisals; and various other records, reports, memos, correspondence, etc. Operates a vehicle and a variety of office equipment, including a computer, copier, telephones, calculator, two-way radios, fax machine, etc. Interacts and communicates with immediate supervisor, other Town Department directors, employees, Mayor, Town Council members, home / property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, county personnel, various outside professionals and agencies, news media, and the general public. Implements Town Council goals and the Town Managers Work Program by recommending projects to the Town Manager deemed necessary to achieve goals or facilitate resolutions. Serves in a leadership role in addressing building safety issues; coordinates with other adjacent local jurisdictions, state, and regional agencies on issues related to building safety activities. Educates public and building community about building safety issues and activities through written materials, oral presentations, and Internet applications. Directs and leads inspectors during damage assessment procedures after storm or flood evacuations. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Bachelors degree in architecture, structural engineering, building, construction management, building science, or a related field; and ten (10) years of work experience as a building inspector or in the general construction field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Licenses or Certifications : Valid South Carolina drivers license (or obtain one by time of hire). Hold (or obtain within 12 months of hire) a Building Official Certification (International Code Council) and maintain required number of CEUs as directed by the State of South Carolina to remain certified as a Building Official. Desire certification as : Certified Flood Plain Manager (Association of State Flood Plain Managers). Special Requirements : In the event of major storms or other emergency situations, this position may be subject to 24-hour shifts or any other emergency schedule.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the methods, procedures, and policies of the Building Safety Office, Growth Management Department, and Town of Bluffton related to job duties. Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations related to job duties. Knowledge of modern office practices and technology. Knowledge of supervisory principles. Knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, spelling, and basic mathematics. Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry. Knowledge of structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and accessibility codes. Skill in applying supervisory and managerial concepts and principles. Skill in using computers for word processing and records management. Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with immediate supervisor, other Town Department directors, employees, Mayor, Town Council members, home / property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, county personnel, real estate professionals, business owners, various outside professionals and agencies, news media, and the general public. Skill in developing and delivering public presentations. Ability to offer instruction and advice to employees. Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Ability to assemble, analyze information, and prepare reports. Ability to compile, organize, and utilize various financial information in the preparation and monitoring of the office budget. Ability to multi-task. Ability to prioritize. Ability to be tactful and diplomatic. Ability to review construction plans for code compliance. Ability to coordinate office activities with other Town and county departments, property / business owners, engineering / development and construction / real estate professionals, contractors, etc. Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is medium work. The employee is frequently required to apply 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. In addition, positions in this classification typically require balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity to analyze data / work with color or depth perception / determine accuracy or observe facilities / inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking. Duties are generally performed in a moderately noisy location (e.g., construction sites, office location with computer, telephone, and other related equipment). When working in the field, there is some exposure to a variety of weather conditions, odors, electrical currents, construction hazards, or toxic agents. Job duties require working on-call after hours as scheduled in order to respond to emergencies.