Commissioner of Inspectional Services

This is an exciting leadership opportunity with an outstanding benefits package, including a pension, 8 weeks of fully paid parental leave, growing PTO, and additional sick leave. As part of the City Manager’s Cabinet team, you'll be at the forefront of a high-impact department with significant programing responsible for the health and safety of City Businesses, Schools, and the residential community. The Commissioner is responsible for the direction, coordination, and development of 65 passionate employees and a strategic City Manager’s vision to help shape the future of this vibrant city which is one of the fastest growing in New England. As part of a transformative transition, you’ll be empowered to drive change, engage with the community, and make a lasting impact. Join a dynamic, compassionate team in a role that offers real influence and opportunity in a thriving urban environment.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Commissioner of Inspectional Services is responsible for the administration and supervision of the activities for a major department of the City of Worcester. The Commissioner will ensure the protection of the health, safety and environmental stability of the City’s business, Schools, and residential community and remain engaged in the business aspects of budget management and subordinate supervision. Responsible for the direction, coordination, and development of staff engaged in the enforcement of all building code inspection, enforcement, and permitting for Building Permits, Air, Water and Hazmat, Body Art and Piercing, Contractor/Trade Permits, Food Protection, Housing, Lead paint, and Weights and Measures Division. The employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

SUPERVISION REQUIRED

Under the administrative direction of the City Manager, the employee plans and carries out the regular work in accordance with standard practices and previous training, with substantial responsibility for determining the sequence and timing of actions and substantial independence in planning and organizing the department’s work activities including determining the work methods.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

The Commissioner of Inspectional Services, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by department employees. Supervisory responsibility consists of most of the following: plans, schedules and coordinates department operations in accordance with work schedules, deadlines and priorities; revises work schedules in response to emergencies, changes in workload or availability of manpower; recommends and justifies to higher levels of management changes in the organization of work, work methods or assignment of functions to positions that may affect staffing patterns, costs, work standards, etc.; assigns work based on varying capabilities of employees; assures that completed work meets the required standard of quality, timeliness and cost, taking corrective actions as necessary, including rejecting the work; recommends promotions, reassignments, pay increases or other personnel actions; oversees attendance and leave, typically including approval of ordinary sick and vacation schedules; advises employees of performance requirements and prepares formal evaluations of performance; gives advice and instruction on both administrative and work matters; informs subordinates of organizational policies, goals and procedures; resolves employee complaints and effects disciplinary actions, such as oral warnings and reprimands: has substantial responsibility for technical soundness of subordinates’ work. Substantial numbers of employees are dispersed to many widely separated locations on a continuing basis.

JUDGMENT

Work is performed based on administrative or municipal policies, general principles, legislation, or directives that pertain to a specific department or functional area. Extensive judgment and ingenuity are required to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches to accomplish objectives and/or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of established guidelines, practices, or policies. The employee is recognized as the department or functional area’s authority in interpreting the guidelines, in determining how they should be applied, and in developing operating policies.

COMPLEXITY

Work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact-finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Direct the enforcement of state and local inspection codes and act on all questions relative to the mode or manner of construction and materials to be used in the erection, addition to, renovation, repair, removal, demolition, installation of service equipment, and the location, use, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures, and upon completion issue certificate of occupancy for new construction.

• Provide oversight for the enforcement of state and local health inspection codes and ordinances for the Housing, Lead, Food Protection, Air, Water and Hazardous Materials divisions. Provide oversight of the Weights and Measures division for all consumer protection regulations.

• Examine zoning and building requests; review plans for building construction or alteration to determine compliance with state codes, site plan reviews, local zoning bylaws, and other applicable regulations.

• Direct the enforcement of the regulations and requirements of special permits issued by the City Planning Board and the variances and special permits issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

• Serve as the Zoning Enforcement Officer determining compliance or non- compliance of various properties with dimensional and other requirements of City and State zoning regulations.

• Manage the operations of the department, to include the maintenance of department records, collection of pertinent fees, and preparation and administration of the department's capital and operating budget.

• Ensure all actions of the Department are taken in accordance with all executive orders and administrative directives issued by the City Manager, the financial procedures established by the City Manager and the City Auditor.

• Develop, prepare, and present the annual Departmental budget, quarterly forecasts, and business plans. Establish priorities and the capitol budget for the department and prepare long-range strategic plans and objectives consistent with the strategic direction of the City Manager.

• Responsible for contract management, Request for Proposals development, and guarantee payments and invoicing match contract pricing. Initiate/oversee audit & control systems to ensure statutory, policy and contractual commitments are met.

• On behalf of the city may be required to participate in legal proceedings with regard to appeals and the enforcement of code compliance cases.

• Ensure and participate in the on-going training of department employees including safety methods, environmental compliance and on-the-job training; maintains related records.

• Conduct and approve all performance evaluations of Departmental staff.

• Develop, improve, and implement change management plan for existing methods, processes, and standards within job discipline.

• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed, and to respond to emergency situations on an “on-call” basis.

• Attend seminars or training programs to maintain knowledge and awareness of techniques, utilization of technology, safety practices and state laws regarding the provision of municipal inspection services.

RECOMMENDED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or an education from a Master Craftsman Program.
• Ten (10) years of experience in Inspectional Services, Public Health, Engineering, Public Administration, and Building and Trades
• Construction Supervision License
• Building Commissioner Certification
• Three (3) years of experience with staff supervision

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Ten (10) years of work experience in project management, to include management of multiple and or highly complex projects.
• Five (5) years of experience with staff supervision
• Five (5) years of experience establishing and managing operational budgets
• Prior municipal experience.
• Project management certification

• Special Requirements: Maintain pertinent professional certifications
• Valid Driver’s License and access to reliable transportation

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of City policies, operating practices, and procedures of the department as well as applicable State and/or Federal laws/regulations.
• Understanding or knowledge of the legal and fiscal constraints that govern the City of Worcester.
• Possess a strong knowledge and understanding of building mechanical, structural, and electrical systems.
• Thorough understanding of MA building codes, City ordinances, and best practices affecting construction and repair.
• Thorough understanding of MA procurement laws for the award of capital facility improvement projects.