Director, Building & Permitting

Position Information

The purpose of this classification is to direct the operations and activities of the Department of Building & Permitting; This is an "at will" position appointed by and reporting to the County Manager and is not covered under Civil Service provisions.

Job Summary

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; oversees the interviewing, selection and training of new departmental employees.

Consults with County Manager and/or other officials to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; provides advice to County Manager and/or other officials regarding economic development and building issues as requested; performs special assignments at request of executive management or Board of Commissioners.

Develops and implements long/short term plans, goals, objectives, and organizational structure for the department; establishes priorities; evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations, methods, procedures, and use of resources; implements improvements as needed. Steers departmental efforts and accountability reflective of the overall goals and objectives of the county as set forth by the County and/or Assistant County Manager.

Oversees the coordination of daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, strategizes, and provides technical expertise. Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

Provides overall direction of operational and developmental processes within the department; oversees general activities of divisions of the department; develops a department work program when tasked with a special project; develops, updates, and implements departmental policies and procedures; conducts regular staff meetings to review department progress and plans.

Prepares detailed or technical reports based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of data for presentation to Board of Commissioners or others; researches and compiles various statistical, demographic, or administrative data; makes applicable calculations; analyzes data and identifies trends; prepares reports, charts, graphs, and presentation materials; conducts research of computer databases, Internet sites, hardcopy materials, or other sources as needed.

Coordinates department activities with other departments, outside agencies, or others as needed; works with Board of Commissioners and County Attorney on litigation issues; works with state/federal agencies on behalf of the County; works with other department heads on inter-departmental issues. Coordinates with national, state, and county departments to gather and evaluate economic data and studies, which impact the County economically. Directs activities of consultants engaged by County to provide professional services for the department.

Makes presentations to the Board of Commissioners, executive management, and others as needed or requested. Attends various meetings, serves on committees and boards. Represents the County at intergovernmental functions; meets with developers/builders to explain issues and answer questions; meets with community leaders to provide input and answer questions.

Develops and implements departmental budget; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, work program, long range planning program, ordinance amendments, comprehensive plan updates, community development reporting documents, budget documents, performance evaluations, planning programs, presentation materials, or other documents.

Meets as requested with the County and/or Assistant County Manager to provide updated progress and activity reports regarding all active business projects, and schedules ad hoc briefings as necessary. Interfaces with business clients in a timely manner, providing updates relating to a project's status within the County's internal processing of the applicable project.

Provides information and technical assistance to clients concerning County's zoning and development process, plan review process, code requirements, code compliance and related issues; assists business development clients in progressing through the County's application process for plan review submittal; discusses construction plans, permit procedures, status of plan review and problem areas; discusses client's responsibilities with project-related property owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, engineers and architects; responds to questions or complaints, researches problems and initiates problem resolution.

Provides timely response to requests for information from clients; provides assistance and information to residents, developers, contractors, attorneys, and County officials regarding planning/zoning issues, land use issues, code/ordinance interpretations, development policies, site plans, plan reviews, review procedures, permits, fees, documentation, zoning conditions compliance or other issues; responds to questions/complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.

Attends, or assigns staff to attend events as called upon by the County or Assistant County Manager. Presents at speaking engagements on issues related to economic development, building and interdepartmental issues as requested to civic and other organizations such as the Council for Quality Growth, Kiwanis Club, Development Authority and/or others.

Communicates and meets with the County Manager, employees, other departments, County officials, inspectors, residents, contractors, architects, engineers, utility companies, Chamber of Commerce, local/state/federal agencies, the public, the media, outside agencies, economic development and community leaders, and other individuals to exchange information, coordinate work activities, or resolve problems.

Organizes and directs plan review meetings as needed with architects, engineers, contractors, builders, property owners, and the public.

Researches policy and issues, provides summary to the Board of Commissioners when necessary or requested. Assists in the analysis of proposed legislation affecting economic development or building issues in the County. Provides information regarding the interpretation and application of County codes, comprehensive plan, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to zoning, land use, and site development; researches code-related issues in code books, consulting staff and Legal as needed.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, and standards; reviews new codes and changes to existing codes; maintains an awareness of new methods, materials, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends seminars, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate. Interprets and applies County codes, comprehensive plan, ordinances, and regulations; recommends changes to various ordinances or policies as appropriate.

Applies a high level of knowledge and understanding regarding the County's standards and codes relating to utility placements, and other County and critical project specifications and standards. Follows and assures compliance with the critical specifications and standards within each project. Escalates issues that compromise compliance in following critical specifications and standards.

Applies a basic understanding of the general concepts of the International Building Code, includingelectrical codes, plumbing codes, mechanical codes, fire prevention codes, life/safety codes, energy codes, handicapped accessibility codes, and other applicable federal, state and local codes, laws, rules, regulations, specifications, standards, policies and procedures; researches in code books and consults with County staff regarding code-related issues as needed.

As needed, reviews building permit applications and sign permit applications; reviews building plans, site plans, plan revisions, architectural drawings, engineering drawings, engineer's letters, electrical diagrams, equipment specifications, and related documentation; verifies preparation of construction plans by an authorized individual/agency.

Communicates to the client any non-compliance issues to initiate problem resolution.

Meets with residents, private business owners, developers, inspectors, or other individuals at field sites to review issues pertaining to the project process such as construction of buildings, and systems in relation to plans/specifications.

Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge of business license process and procedures including alcohol, pawnbroker and pawn shop, non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia, door to door canvasser, short-term rental, and any other ordinances assigned to the department.

Leads the department in ensuring compliance with all safety and health requirement; develops safety policies essential to the department; ensures all new departmental employees are trained on safety policies prior to commencing duties; ensures all departmental staff are trained annually on departmental safety policies ensuring safety standards are consistently followed; maintains safe and healthy working conditions ensuring minimal injury, accidents, liabilities and waste of materials within the department.

Reads or researches various forms, reports, correspondence, building plans, permit applications, site plans, engineering drawings, specifications, engineer's letters, complaints, architectural drawings, plan revisions, blueprints, photographs, industry reports, product information, trade journals, technical reports/articles, street maps, codes, commentaries, ordinances, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, budget reports, attendance reports, payroll documents, ordinance amendments, staff technical reviews, permit activity reports, architectural drawings, site plans, legal descriptions, surveys, photographs, trade journals, technical reports/articles, census data, maps, comprehensive plan, codes, ordinances, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate. Assures file system of departmental records, reports and documentation is maintained.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail. Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs.

Operates a variety of equipment and tools associated with work activities, which may include a motor vehicle, calculator, and general office equipment.

May require after hour, or an alternate working schedule toattend meetings or visit field sites. May flex work site (i.e., working remotely part of the time) as well as schedule.

Engagement with or member of established economic development and building organizations such as the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Inspectors Association, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Council for Quality Growth and/or other similar professional organizations.

Performs other related duties and special assignments as required or requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in , Architecture, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field; supplemented by six (6) years previous experience and/or training in, architecture, building, construction, project management, zoning, plan review, economic development, urban planning, local/regional land use; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Requires possession and maintenance of a valid Georgia driver's license.

Active status as a Master Code Professional (MCP) is preferred