Assistant Building Official

Job Summary

DEFINITION

Assists the Building Official in the administration and enforcement of state laws and City ordinances governing the construction, use and maintenance of structures, buildings, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems on all private property throughout the City.

SUPERVISION

Works under the administrative supervision of the Building Official who outlines work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress, and periodically review completed work. Exercises administrative and technical supervision over the Inspection Supervisor, Permit Services Administrator, and Plan Check Supervisor, reviewing work in progress and assessing the quality of completed work.

Representative Duties

Oversees the day-to-day operation of the inspection, permit services, and plan check functions in the Building and Safety Division. Reviews and researches code requirements and related matters. Develops, implements and monitors various methods of effective quality management. Analyzes tends in construction activity.

Assists in the preparation of construction related codes and ordinances. Oversees the work of consultants.

Develops administrative policies and procedures for the monitoring of progress on land development related permits. Facilitates the integration and coordination of permitting activities among the various divisions and departments of the City.

Analyzes and recommends operational enhancements to improve customer service. Serves as a building and safety advisor for major and complex projects in pre-submittal review meetings.

Promotes public understanding and support for the Division's inspection role through communication and contact with community groups and construction related associations.

Advises architects, contractors, engineers, property owners, and the general public on building and safety related matters.

Prepares and presents formal reports; makes presentations to various City boards, commissions, community organizations, professional associations and City employees.

Selects, trains, directs, and evaluates the work of staff. Assists the Building Official with the development and implementation of a professional development program for division staff.

Manages staff workload with the Building Official. Reviews work schedules for public counter staff. Assists with the development of a division work program and related monitoring.

Monitors and tracks division activities with respect to revenues, expenditures, and workload, and provides budget analyses. Assists the Building Official in the preparation of the division's budget.

Coordinates the preparation of staff reports for items requiring Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Accessibility Appeals Board and City Council review.

Coordinates public outreach efforts to community groups and other stakeholders in the development process, as assigned.

Assists the Building Official with the development and implementation of customer service enhancements.

Assists with the coordination of Building and Safety matters with other City departments and divisions.

Reviews and approves highly complex building plans and engineering reports, requests for use of alternate methods of construction, and findings of code equivalency or hardship.

Keeps abreast of current and new procedures in construction technology, new areas of regulation and management techniques.

Assumes the duties of the Building Official in his/her absence, as directed.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and procedures in administration of building codes and related regulations and inspection
Principles, practices and procedures of building construction, building materials, and construction methods
Principles and practices of organizational development, budget and fiscal administration
Principles and practices of effective administration, program management, personnel management including supervision,
hiring, evaluation, training and development
Operations and functions of City, County and State governments and other public agencies and their interrelationships with
Building and Safety Division functions
Engineering and construction techniques and terminology
Field inspection techniques
Research methods and report writing techniques
Contract administration
Effective customer service techniques

Ability to:

Plan, organize and coordinate the operation of a division
Develop and work with staff members using a team-oriented approach
Conduct research, analyze issues, identify alternate solutions, project consequences
Train and supervise staff
Exercise sound judgment
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Read and accurately interpret construction plans, specifications and documents and make decisions in accordance with
appropriate rules, laws, regulations and policies
Conduct research, analyze issues, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed action and make
recommendations in support of a viable solution
Create and maintain a positive and progressive work environment
Motivate staff to achieve division goals and objectives
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Prepare clear, concise and complete reports and correspondence and maintain accurate and complete records; prepare and monitor budgets and contracts
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the general public, contractors, architects, engineers, public officials, property owners, developers, attorneys and others contacted in the course of performing assigned duties
Provide effective customer service

Skill in:

Leadership, management and supervision
Project and program management
Review and understanding of complex building plans
The use of personal computers and applicable word processing and spreadsheet applications
Public relations
Teamwork and collaboration
Fiscal management
Making public presentations

REQUIREMENTS

Education : Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Civil, Architectural or Structural Engineering, or a closely related field is desirable. A master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or a closely related field is desirable.

Experience : Four years of recent, paid progressively responsible work experience in construction management, architecture, civil or structural engineering or a closely related field in a public agency or private practice in the planning, design or construction field. Two years of the required experience must include direct supervisory and management responsibilities.

Licenses and Certifications :

Possession of, a valid class C driver license

Registration as a Professional, Civil or Structural Engineer with the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors or as an Architect with the California Architects Board.

International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Certified Building Official (CBO), and/or International Code Council certification as a Master Code Professional is highly desirable.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 6/6/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• City of Santa Monica

Show more