Deputy Building Official

Job Description

The City of Avondale has an opportunity for a Deputy Building Official with the Development Services Department.

This is a FLSA exempt, full-time position with benefits.

This recruitment will remain open until filled.

The first review of applications will be on Monday, March 18, 2024, and weekly thereafter.

Plans and directs the work of professional plans examiners, building inspectors, and permit technicians in the Building Services Division including plan review, inspections, permit administration, and the development services center counter. The Deputy Building Official performs plan review as needed to support the Division with the primary focus on assisting the Chief Building Official in planning, organizing, and managing activities concerning building code and development processes within the City.

Supports the Chief Building Official in customer outreach, support, communication, and problem resolution. Acts as Chief Building Official in their absence. Participates in the administration and supervision of operational programs, budget, development of strategic objectives, activities, and other functions.

Supports the oversight of the front counter operations, software systems, and digital plan review processes. Manages complex and multi-disciplinary activities, and exercises independent judgment in working with departments and division managers on private and city development projects. Provides leadership and works with staff to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment. Interpret building codes, coordinates construction projects, compiles statistical information, establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; and provides or coordinates staff training.Evaluate and participate in developing Division policies and procedures, provide staff guidance, and develop and share technical knowledge and administrative skills with staff.

Work involves managing a variety of special projects and initiatives integral to the City's vision, research and analysis, and meetings involving various City Departments and Divisions. Strong manager with leadership skills and the ability to work within an established group of professional staff, managing staff, serving as a technical advisor, and resolving issues.

Able to effectively organize and prioritize the division's workload and skillfully manage project expectations. Understands the importance of public engagement and finding balance and compromise between a wide variety of stakeholders. Ability to collaborate with the Department's Planning and Administration Divisions, the Engineering Services Department, and other City Departments and Divisions.

Essential Functions

Assist the Chief Building Official in the supervision of the Building Services Division by evaluating and directing personnel, hiring new personnel, and providing policies and procedures. Serves as an expert on the development review committee and for the permitting process, and a focus on continuous improvement. Reports to the Chief Building Official and assists with meeting departmental goals and policies, daily operations, manage staff, monitor objectives, and provide comprehensive reports.

Acts as Chief Building Official in their absence, managing the plan review, inspection, and permitting operations. Manages division operations by developing and interpreting policies, providing general direction to staff on the implementation of procedures, and supervising employees involved in the following functional areas:

Building Plan Review, Building Inspections, Application/Permit Administration (building, planning, engineering, and fire), and the development services center counter. Ensures safe, efficient operations of programs and facilities, including compliance with all state and federal regulations. Supports the Development Services Director and the Chief Building Official in the Building Services Division operations.

Interprets building codes and coordinates construction projects by researching codes and related material, consulting with owners, designers, staff and plan review consultants, and resolving issues as needed. Assists the Chief Building Official to develop, implement, and present various reports, summaries, projects, and/or attends meetings to coordinate or present information to the Department Director, Mayor and Council, City Management, other departments, or the public.

Directs activities by conferring with developers, architects, engineers, contractors and the public, implementing department and division goals, policies and procedures evaluating operations and activities of assigned responsibilities and streamlining processes to increase service levels. After-hours or weekend work may be needed at times.

Provides multi-disciplinary construction plan review including building life safety, hazardous materials, mechanical systems, electrical systems, accessibility, and fuel gas for compliance with adopted codes and NFPA standards.

Ability to multi-task and supervise multiple projects and personnel, meet deadlines, and articulate the expectations, goals, and objectives of the department to staff. Provide support to the front counter (development services center counter) staff and identifies and implements new business practices.

Coordinates with the Economic Development Department projects and applications filed with Planning and Engineering, Pre-Applications benefitting City projects and private economic development initiatives, and high-profile projects for the City which may involve development agreements.

Coordinates with the Chief Building Official to represent the City on committees such as, but not limited to, MAG Building Codes Committee, AZBO Code Development Committee, ICC Chapter Membership, and Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. Represents the division at various Department and City meetings.

Manages over-the-counter plan review by providing counter reviews of projects and plans, and assisting customers at the counter as needed.

Strong written and oral communication skills, including the editing, oversight or preparation of technical and staff reports, and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and public relations skills to work effectively with various officials, staff, citizens, and other customers.

Ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or controversial political situations. Strong mediation and problem-solving skills. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

Provides excellent customer service by providing information to the general public and clients regarding development issues, providing a solutions-based approach, preparing written and oral reports, and attending and facilitating public meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration, or in a related field is preferred.

Four (4) years of related experience and one (1) year of supervisory or lead experience, two (2) years of supervisory experience is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Municipal government experience is preferred. Work in a professional office environment is preferred.

Must be certified as an ICC Building Official, ICC Residential and Commercial Plans Examiner and Building Inspector. Additional ICC Certifications applicable to this position are desired.

Valid Arizona Driver's License or the ability to obtain at time of hire.

Supplemental Information

Work requires the ability to read and interpret technical codes, building plans, development codes, zoning codes, ordinances, plans, development agreements, case laws, applications, and reports, and correspondence.

Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and analyze statistics.

Work requires the ability to write reports, City codes, letters, code amendments, and plans.Work requires the ability to write technical terms, project update reports, city council reports, prepare presentations, and correspondence.

Prepares and manages performance measures for the division; development and growth data related to applications, permits, customer service requests, and the like; project summaries and development status reports; and, other informational requests as directed. Have sharp decision-making skills, a wealth of professional and technical expertise, and the ability to adapt seamlessly to changing situations.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing building code updates, streamlining processes, monitoring financial and customer service-related goals, implementing electronic plan review, over-the-counter plan reviews, and leading permitting software enhancements. Work requires assisting the Chief Building Official in managing and monitoring work performance of plan reviewers, inspectors, and permit technicians including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department. Work requires coaching and training of staff to perform the necessary duties in the Division. Work as a team, share critical information often, and support the Department Director and department initiatives.

The incumbent has responsibility for planning and preparing the Building Services division budget and presents the budget to the Director.

Work requires supervising and monitoring performance for a group of regular employees in a work unit as assigned by the Chief Building Official, including providing input on hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, and realigning work as needed.

Work is governed by broad instructions, objectives and policies. Work requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent analytical and evaluative judgment.

The incumbents in this position contact others within the organization. These contacts may involve similar work units or departments within the City, such as Engineering, Building, Code Compliance, Fire, Transit, Sustainability, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works, which may be involved in decision making or providing approval or decision making authority for expenditures or projects.

Employee must maintain regular attendance. In addition, these incumbents work with individuals outside the City who may belong to professional or peer organizations, or contractors and business owners.

Employee must maintain regular attendance. Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.