Building & Safety Manager

The City of Norwalk seeks a Building and Safety Manager to join its Community Development team. This position requires a dynamic and motivated individual willing to contribute to the innovative changes happening in the Norwalk Community.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the oversight, planning, and management of the Building and Safety Division. The Manager will liaise with other City departments and external agencies to coordinate activities and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Specifically, the Manager will oversee the inspection and plan review processes for commercial, industrial, and residential developments.

Additionally, the Manager will serve as the City's Building Official and carry out related duties as directed. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership and organizational skills, and have a sound understanding of relevant regulations and codes.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plans, directs staff, and participates in checking plans and inspecting buildings and properties for compliance with laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing the safety, construction, and alteration of buildings including access compliance, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing installations; issues building and related permits for building construction activities within the City.

Provides information on building regulations, permits, procedures, developments, and related matters to developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.

Assists in the coordination of proposed projects through development review and participates in related meetings and addressing of issues.  Researches code requirements, new materials, methods of construction, and related matters and drafts or directs the drafting of code revisions and the code adoption process.

Resolves field and office problems regarding the application or interpretation of codes and regulations enforced by the division.  Addresses complaints regarding activities of Building and Safety and takes or directs appropriate corrective action.

Prepares and presents oral and written reports on building inspection and property maintenance activities; develops Division procedures and ensures compliance.  Develops and administers the annual budget for the Division.

Projects trends in workload activity and assigns work in the most effective and efficient manner to maximize productivity.

Selects Division employees; plans, organizes, and assigns work; conducts or directs staff training and development; reviews and evaluates employee performance; executes disciplinary action.

Provides assistance to the Director of Community Development, the Deputy City Manager, City Manager, City Council,  and various commissions; responds to inquiries and provides information regarding Building and Safety policies, procedures, and other information relating to City buildings and private property development and construction activities.  Acts as a secretary to the Property Maintenance and Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, property maintenance and related codes and regulations, including the California Building Codes; methods, materials, techniques, and practices employed in building inspection, building design and construction; the principles and practices of organization, administration, budgeting, and personnel management; organization and functions of the various trades, agencies, and organizations involved in the construction process.

Ability to: supervise assigned personnel; conduct field inspections and resolve associated problems; deal effectively with contractors, developers, architects, engineers, representatives from public agencies, and the general public; communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in writing; read detailed plans and specifications to determine compliance with appropriate codes; conduct the most difficult and complex inspections.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary.  Example combinations include:

Graduation from high school supplemented by two years of post-secondary college or technical instruction in building technology, construction management, mechanical, electrical, plumbing or building construction, and six years of experience as a building contractor, architect, civil or structural engineer, or journey level inspector engaged in building inspection and enforcement of building codes; including at least two years of related supervisory experience.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Certification with the International Code Council (ICC) as a Building Official is required.  A Division of the State Architect (DSA) Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is highly desirable.  Possession of a valid driver's license along with a satisfactory driving record is required.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments or construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; may need to wear a hard hat during inspection of some job sites; and frequently required to talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret statistical data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and apply mathematical reasoning and abstract statistical concepts; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with staff and others encountered in the course of work in achieving compliance with standards and requirements.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or risk of electrical shock.

Employee occasionally works around loud noise levels, interacts with officials and the public and occasionally deals with dissatisfied or difficult individuals.

SELECTION PROCESS

Apply online at http://www.norwalkca.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources.  Employment application must be completed.

 Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City application.  Applicant must be specific in describing qualifications for this position on application.  Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.

 Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  Faxed materials or postmarks will not be accepted.  Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement.

 Candidates with qualifications that best relate to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuation in the selection process.  The selection process will include an oral interview and other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.

The City provides preference to military veterans under consideration for initial employment.  To claim veteran's preference an applicant must submit their most recent DD214 form.  An eligible veteran is one who has served in the United States armed forces and who has received an honorable discharge.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be requested by calling the Department of Human Resources at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled examination/interview date.  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Norwalk, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.