Chief Building Official

Salary : $154,896.00 - $199,668.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 25-068
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 04/10/2025
Closing Date: 5/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for Chief Building Official in the Planning and Community Development Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Chief Building Official vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Join Our Team!
The Planning and Community Development Department has a wide variety of exciting and large projects in the development pipeline, offering you the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives and contribute to community growth. Now is the perfect time to be part of our innovative team. Learn more about current projects here:
Under general direction, the Chief Building Official manages the Plan Review, Inspection Services, and Green Building functions of the Department of Planning and Community Development; trains and supervises division staff; monitors and coordinates the building permit process; oversees plan reviews and inspections to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations relating to construction and land use; and performs related work as assigned.
Recruitment #25-068

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 05/01/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 05/05: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.
• Week of 05/12 and/or 05/19/25: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.

Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below):

• Plans, schedules and supervises the work of inspectors and other division personnel; monitors inspection activities to assure high quality inspections and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensures that Division staff is provided with training and development to perform their duties in a technically competent manner and to meet pre-established standards.
• Establishes and sustains a culture of personal and collective accountability within the Division; hires, trains and evaluates division personnel; monitors performance and provides feedback and coaching to employees; and encourages teamwork and collaboration.
• Coordinates review of development applications, building permit plans, and inspection of field work with the zoning administrator.
• Performs and oversees inspections for major projects.
• Prepares ordinances and resolutions related to City building codes.
• Within the parameters and priorities established by the Department Director, establishes the objectives, policies, organization structure, operating and staffing model for the Division to enable the Division to meet its goals.
• Creates and sustains a culture of continuous business improvement within the Division to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and to improve customer service and communications.
• Develops recommendations for revisions and additions to the municipal code to improve plan check, green building, and inspection activities.
• Checks plans and oversees staff checking plans for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local codes relating to construction.
• Arranges and coordinates plan reviews and inspections conducted by outside contractors; monitors the quality of work performed by outside contractors.
• Seeks code compliance where violations are discovered and coordinates with the zoning administrator and Code Compliance Division of the department in the pursuit of code enforcement.
• Ensures that Division staff is provided with regular safety trainings.
• Issues stop work orders and citations, when appropriate.
• Provides information regarding construction codes to other city departments and advises city departments on matters involving construction codes.
• Provides information to the public about construction-related codes; assists architects, engineers, contractors and property owners in interpreting and meeting code requirements; responds to complaints and resolves more difficult plan check, green building, and inspection problems.
• Prepares administrative and technical reports for the planning director, planning commission and City Council as assigned; writes correspondence related to building inspection functions.
• Develops division policies and procedures related to building plan review and inspection as necessary for efficient operations; maintains adequate record keeping systems to assure compliance with construction codes, including clear records of authorized permit activity.
• Prepares annual budget recommendations for the division; implements and monitors the approved budget throughout the fiscal year; maintains fiscal records regarding permit revenues and division expenditures.
• Serves as staff to the Board of Building Appeals.
• Maintains current knowledge of developments in construction codes, inspection practices, new model codes, and state law relating to construction.
• Represents the City, division, and/or the department in meetings with architects, contractors, homeowners, state and local officials, community groups, members of the public, and in court.
• Works collaboratively with internal City partners to accomplish division and citywide goals and functions, including ensuring smooth and efficient functioning of the plan check and inspection services.
• Responds to emergency situations after normal working hours, such as fires or buildings that have been impacted by vehicles or trees, to assess the safety of a building.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping and reaching in the performance of daily activities. The position may also work on slippery uneven surfaces. The position requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The position also requires acute near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and in the performance of daily duties. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The incumbent may perform work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold. The need to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in structural, mechanical, or civil engineering; architecture; construction management; or a related field and,
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspection, plan check, engineering, construction, or a closely related field, including two years of supervision or management.

OR

• Eight (8) years total increasingly responsible work experience in building inspection and plan check related work experience that includes at least two of those years in building inspection or plan check supervision or management experience.

Knowledge:

• Principles and practices of leadership, training and development, organizational administration, and personnel management and supervision.
• Principles and practices of project management including developing and implementing project scopes, schedules, and program planning and implementation.
• Principles of budget preparation, management and fiscal accounting.
• All codes involved in construction, including uniform building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, housing, energy, green building, and others.
• State and federal laws and regulations applicable to construction.
• The principles, materials and methods used in building design and construction.
• The legal procedures involved in code enforcement.

Abilities:

• Apply organizational leadership and management skills including those related to communication, collaboration, strategic planning, problem-solving, decision-making, planning and prioritizing.
• Evaluate operational problems or situations, develop sound conclusions, and make effective decisions and/or recommendations.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct the operations of the Division to achieve established goals.
• Supervise personnel, administer discipline and conduct performance evaluations; assign and review work; ensure effective training and development, coaching, mentoring and succession planning
• Implement work methods and procedures that promote a safe working environment and ensure proper staff training in work safety.
• Develop effective operational and record keeping-systems.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports and correspondence on administrative and technical issues.
• Develop and control operational budgets.
• Read and interpret blueprints and construction drawings.
• Recognize and resolve problems and difficult situations that arise in plan check, inspections, and in interpersonal relations being sure to maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Evaluate organizational functions and plan and implement modifications as needed.
• Identify building code compliance requirements and make appropriate decisions regarding corrective actions.
• Make effective oral presentations to individuals and groups.
• Interpret, apply and explain construction-related codes, regulations, policies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication streams with other City staff, public officials, construction professionals, outside agencies and the public, demonstrating a courteous and cooperative approach.
• Effectively communicate clear and logical explanations of complex building code and building inspection requirements, policies and decisions to the internal and external stakeholders in a courteous and effective manner, including the ability to effectively communicate to diverse audiences ranging from seasoned professionals in the industry to novices with no construction knowledge.
• Operate computer programs such as permit tracking/processing, word processing, and spreadsheet software systems.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Possession within eighteen months of appointment and continued maintenance of certification as a Building Official by the Council of American Building Officials (CABO), International Code Council (ICC), or other recognized testing agency as determined by the Administrative Authority. If a candidate does not possess a Building Official certification at time of application, then an ICC Building Inspector or ICC Building Plans Examiner certification shall be required at the commercial and residential level, as well as two additional certifications, unrelated by trade, noted in the desirable qualifications section below shall be required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession and continued maintenance of the following commercial and residential certifications from the International Code Conference or other testing agency as determined by the Administrative Authority:
  • Building Inspector
  • Building Plans Examiner
  • Electrical Inspector
  • Electrical Plans Examiner
  • Plumbing Inspector
  • Plumbing Plans Examiner
  • Mechanical Inspector
  • Mechanical Plans Examiner

• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification

• California municipal experience is highly desirable

Career Ladder

• Chief Building Official
• Deputy Building Official
• Supervising Building Inspector / Supervising Plans Examiner
• Sr. Building Inspector / Sr. Plans Examiner
• Building Inspector / Assistant Plans Examiner
• Planning and Community Development Technician

SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. See the on the City website for further details on pay rates and practices.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 12 days/year

Holidays - up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays at least 90% of the cost of coverage. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards health care benefits.

Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage. Pro-rated for part-time.

Life - City provides a $25,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE/OPTIONAL BENEFIT PLAN

80 hours of additional vacation per year. A $1,300 (less than 10 yrs) or $1,500 (greater than 10 yrs) annual contribution may be used to purchase additional vacation, be place in deferred compensation account or be paid in cash (cashout limited to 20 hours).
RETIREMENT

All regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 11.25% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)

In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month

Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
01

The following supplemental questions are designed to gain specific information regarding your work experience. Your supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine your qualifications for the position. The responses you provide to the following questions should correspond to the information you have provided in the Work History section of your employment application. Please provide concise, yet detailed responses to each question. Answer in your own words and refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Failure to complete all of applicable questions or incomplete responses may result in disqualification. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area please write "n/a".

• I acknowledge receipt of this information

02

If you possess a Bachelor's degree in structural, mechanical, or civil engineering; architecture; construction management; or a related field, please indicate your degree, field of study, and the name of the accredited college or university from which you graduated. If you do not have a degree, please write "N/A."
03

This position requires possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

• Yes, I have a valid California drivers license.
• I do not have a valid California driver's license. I understand that having an alternate form of transportation is required and approved by the appointing authority as a condition of employment if selected for this position.

04

I possess the following Building Official Certification:

• Building Official Certification from CABO
• Building Official Certification from ICC
• Building Official Certification from other recognized testing agency
• I do not possess Building Official certification. I understand that it is required to possess and maintain certification as a Building Official by the Council of American Building Officials (CABO), International Code Council (ICC), or other recognized testing agency as determined by the Administrative Authority within eighteen months of appointment.

05

Describe your increasingly responsible work experience in building inspection, plan check, engineering, construction, or a closely related field. Be thorough with your response, indicating where you got this experience, duties performed, and how many years in each role.
06

Describe your experience with a project that demonstrates your ability to recognize and resolve problems and difficult situations that arise in plan checks, inspections, and/or in interpersonal relations while maintaining cooperative working relationships.
07

This position will supervise personnel, administer discipline and conduct performance evaluations, as well as assign and review work. Describe your experience related to employee supervision, training, and appraisal. Be sure to include the years of experience in each role and number of employees supervised.
08

Successful completion of the City of Santa Cruz Employee and Leadership Development program is accepted in lieu of one (1) year of supervisory experience. Have you successfully and fully completed the City of Santa Cruz Employee and Leadership program?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

09

Desirable Qualification: Possession and continued maintenance of the following commercial and residential certifications from the International Code Conference or other testing agency as determined by the Administrative Authority. Check all that you currently possess and scan and attach proof of license/certification. Name each separate attachment with your last name, first initial, and title of the specific document (i.e. SmithB_ICCBuildingInspector.). Select N/A if none.

• Building Inspector
• Building Plans Examiner
• Electrical Inspector
• Electrical Plans Examiner
• Plumbing Inspector
• Plumbing Plans Examiner
• Mechanical Inspector
• Mechanical Plans Examiner
• Certified Access Specialist (CASp)
• N/A

Required Question