Chief Building Official

Westerville, Ohio, seeks a Chief Building Official (CBO) to oversee complex, high-impact projects that define our region's growth. This is an opportunity to move beyond the routine and apply your expertise to exceptional development that drives the prosperity of a forward-looking community

Under the general direction of the Director or the Deputy Director of Planning & Development, the Chief Building Official is responsible for conducting inspections of residential and commercial properties, supervising inspectors performing all required plumbing, field building, certified backflow, and electrical inspections, and reviewing and approving construction plans for residential and commercial buildings. This position also manages contracted services as required.

Under the general direction of the Director or the Deputy Director of Planning & Development.

• Manage and supervise all assigned employees (e.g., schedule and assign tasks; interview job applicants; recommend the hiring of job applicants; recommend discipline; evaluate performance; receive and adjust grievances or employee complaints; approve and recommend the approval of leave requests; attend or participate in meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; develop and implement policy; recommend policy changes; has access to financial data used in monitoring department revenue/income, etc.).
• Conduct inspections of residential and commercial properties to ensure compliance with municipal, state, and national building codes; identify structural defects; check framing, plumbing, heating, electrical, and ADAAG compliance; document deficiencies; perform re-inspections; utilize city vehicle for site visits; issue building permits and certificates of occupancy; provide correction information; issue violation notices; conduct follow-up inspections; authorize final and conditional certificates of occupancy.
• Review and approve construction plans for residential and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with established building codes; manage commercial plans to examiner; calculate applicable fees for building permits; consult with architects, engineers, builders, contractors, and owners regarding building codes, ordinances, laws, and design criteria; make recommendations and solve construction problems; collaborate with plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and zoning inspectors on final inspections, problems, and permits; recommend procedural and code changes.
• Compile data and prepare reports for certified street numbering; document plats, annexations, and isolated instances; encourage homeowners to install street numbers; maintain records and prepare statistical, written, and oral reports on activities; prepare inspection, building, federal census, and yearly reports; receive and respond to public complaints; answer questions from the public, realtors, contractors, architects, and builders; maintain state certification in all areas of inspections; ensure safety practices are followed by department personnel; maintain relationships with outside agencies, professional organizations, and other departments such as Fire Prevention and the Electric Division; attend meetings, seminars, conferences, and training sessions; review trade bulletins and publications to remain current on field developments.
• Meet all job safety requirements and all applicable safety standards that pertain to essential functions; must demonstrate regular and predictable attendance; maintain required licenses and/or certifications; attend meetings or other job – related functions outside of normal working hours, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Calculator, computer, computer software (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other applicable computer software programs), mobile phone, copier, scanner, telephone, postage machine, and other standard modern business office equipment, motor vehicle, and equipment to perform building inspections.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); works in the vicinity of floor or wall openings, elevated platforms, and/or runways; ascends and/or descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds; works in the vicinity of dock boards; works in an area in which the means of egress is or can be obstructed; works on and around powered platforms and/or vehicle mounted platforms; is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, or air contaminants; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous waste; is exposed to possible injury due to unclean or unsanitary conditions; is exposed to possible injury as a result of working with moving mechanical parts of equipment or machines; is exposed to possible injury as a result of falling from high places; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons; has exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; has exposure to extreme non-weather related heat or cold; has exposure to shaking objects or surfaces; this is considered light work and the employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the physical demands required of the position in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor's physical demands strength ratings.

In cases of emergency, unpredictable situations, and/or department needs, may be required to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects heavier than D.O.L. strength ratings recommend.

POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED:

Assistant Chief Building Official, Plans Coordinator, and Code Inspectors.

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED); and
• Required years of experience and possession of required State of Ohio certifications to be a fully certified Chief Building Official.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio driver's license and must remain insurable under the City's vehicle insurance policy.
• Any combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications stated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:(*Indicates developed after employment)

KNOWLEDGE OF: principles and practices of the building construction industry; the methods, materials and techniques used in building construction; electrical systems, HVAC systems, and plumbing systems; various codes to be enforced; principles and practices of effective supervision; safety practices and procedures; city goals and objectives*; city policies and procedures*.

SKILL IN: use of modern office equipment and software; computer operation; motor vehicle operation; critical thinking; judgment and decision making.

ABILITY TO: supervise the work of others; keep records and to prepare reports; inspect buildings where work is being performed, write up deficiencies, reinspect corrections and determine adherence to code; review plans and detect code violations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, other employees, contractors, engineers, architects, owners and the general public etc; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; respond to complaints in a professional manner; walk on rough terrain and climb stairs; demonstrate professionalism; apply management principles to solve agency problems*.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Employees pay 15% of the monthly medical insurance premium through United Healthcare which includes prescription coverage. Employee, Employee plus child(ren), Employee plus spouse and family coverage is available. However, a spouse who has affordable health care coverage through their employer must elect that coverage as primary. The City health care plan is a high deductible healthcare plan.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT

Annually, the City will deposit 85% of your health insurance deductible amount into an HSA account in your name.

VISION AND DENTAL

The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision. Coverage levels will be explained in further detail at time of hire.

LIFE INSURANCE

The City pays 100% of the premium on a $100,000 life insurance policy for employee and $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for child.

RETIREMENT PENSION

The City contributes 14% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System. The employee pension payment share is 10% of gross salary.

VACATION

New employees accrue two weeks of paid vacation every year. Vacation time increases with length of service time.

PERSONAL LEAVE

Employees receive 6 prorated days of personal leave annually.