Building Official
The City of Rogers is accepting applications for a full-time Building Official. The Building Official is responsible for overseeing and enforcing local building codes, safety standards, and other applicable regulations. This position ensures that all construction projects comply with applicable laws, regulations, and safety requirements to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It supervises building inspections, reviews construction plans and permit applications, and coordinates with contractors, developers, and government agencies. Minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to: valid and current certification by the State of MN as a Certified Building Official; five plus years of experience in a related field, including at least two years in building code plan review, inspection, and enforcement; Associate’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Additional minimum qualifications and preferred qualifications are listed in the posting/position description.
Title: Building Official
Department: Building Inspections
Accountable To: Fire Chief
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Full-Time
Salary Grade: 15
Salary: $109,657 to $144,373 (DOQ)
Closing: February 28, 2025
POSITION SUMMARY
The Building Official is responsible for overseeing and enforcing local building codes, safety standards, and other applicable regulations. This position ensures that all construction projects comply with applicable laws, regulations, and safety requirements to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The Building Official supervises building inspections, reviews construction plans and permit applications, and coordinates with contractors, developers, and government agencies. They also provide guidance to the public regarding building codes and standards and address any concerns or violations that may arise during construction activities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Work is performed independently with guidance and direction from the Fire Chief. The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed with latitude for independent judgment. Decisions are to be based on detailed knowledge of local operations and policies, as well as national and state codes, federal regulations, and city ordinances. There is frequent interaction with the public to provide basic information, and some interactions require detailed procedural explanations or technical responses.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The essential functions listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Review residential and commercial building plans and permit applications to ensure compliance with local building codes and other applicable regulations.
Conduct on-site inspections of construction projects to verify adherence to approved plans and safety standards.
Issue building permits and certificates of occupancy.
Enforce compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
Advise property owners, contractors, and developers on building code requirements and construction-related issues.
Investigate complaints related to building code violations and take appropriate action.
Maintain accurate records of inspections, permits, and violations.
Work closely with local government officials and other departments.
Stay updated on new building codes, standards, and industry best practices.
Issues work correction notices and/or other orders and certificates.
Manages subordinates.
Leads the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines within the division to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.
Leads decision-making on hiring, assignment, promotion, discipline, or discharge of all building inspection staff.
Set goals and objectives for staff to work towards and monitor performance.
Assesses staff development needs and directs staff training.
Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others.
Reviews and recommends acceptance or denial of alternative design requests.
Conducts pre-construction meetings with architects, contractors, owners and appropriate city staff.
Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Valid and current certification by the State of Minnesota as a Certified Building Official.
Five or more years of experience in a related field, including at least two years in building code plan review, inspection, and enforcement.
Possession of a valid Class “D” Minnesota Driver’s License is required.
Associate’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Strong knowledge of local, state, and national building codes and regulations.
Experience in construction, architecture, or engineering, focusing on building inspections or code enforcement.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Construction, Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, or equivalent.
Experience as a Building Official or Assistant Building Official is strongly preferred.
Certifications from the International Code Council (ICC) are desired.
MN State Project plan review and inspection delegation.
Common Performance Standards
Communications
Must have the ability to actively listen to others for understanding of their needs and situations
Ability to speak and write English clearly
Must be able to assertively control conversations to quickly and accurately gather pertinent information and be able to communicate this information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient
Must be able to read and understand correspondence, memoranda and directives
Decision Making
Must act in a decisive manner using good judgment
Must be able to assess problems and situations and be able to anticipate needs and evaluate alternatives
Must be able to effectively interpret the policies and objectives of the department
Interpersonal Relationships
Must be consistent in dealing with people
Must be sensitive to others’ problems and concerns without direct involvement
Must exclude personal biases from work performance
Must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline
Must have tact and diplomacy
Must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department
Must have a positive attitude
Professional Attitude
Must have commitment to the organization, willingness to take initiative, dependability, maturity in relationships with others, and self-confidence
Must represent the organization to other agencies staff and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all telephone and personal contact
Quality of Work
Must be able to produce quality, accurate work
Must be able to detect and correct errors
Must be able to utilize work time properly and productively
Technical Knowledge
Must have knowledge of City business
Must have knowledge and ability to understand and discern legislative, local, state, and federal regulations
Must have the ability to establish successful working relationships
Management
Effectively manage multiple tasks, assigns, prioritizes, and executes effectively.
Proactively solve problems while bringing solutions and ideas to the organization.
Excellent leadership, team building and management skills.
Work Environment
Office environment and on-site field inspections.
Occasional travel to construction sites.
Ability to handle stressful situations involving non-compliance or violations.
Work both indoors and outdoors in normal and inclement weather conditions.
Physical Requirements
Walking and Standing:
On-site inspections often require walking around construction sites, including uneven terrain, stairs, scaffolding, and potentially hazardous areas. May need to stand for extended periods while reviewing plans or talking to contractors.
Climbing:
Inspecting multi-story buildings may require climbing ladders, stairs, or scaffolding to access different levels or rooftops. Some inspections may also require access to attics, crawl spaces, or basements.
Lifting and Carrying:
May need to lift and carry building plans, blueprints, or equipment (such as measuring tools or safety gear). These items can vary in weight, often requiring light lifting (under 25 pounds), though heavier items may occasionally be encountered.
Kneeling, Stooping, and Bending:
May need to kneel, stoop, or bend to inspect lower parts of buildings, such as foundations, plumbing, or electrical systems. This may involve crawling through crawl spaces or inspecting the underside of structures.
Vision and Dexterity:
Strong visual acuity is important for reading construction plans, examining blueprints, identifying structural defects, and inspecting safety equipment.
Manual dexterity is necessary for handling inspection tools, taking notes, or operating digital devices like tablets or smartphones during inspections.
Knowledge Of
Building Codes and Regulations:
In-depth knowledge of local, state, and national building codes (such as the International Building Code (IBC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes, International Residential Code (IRC), etc.).
Understanding of zoning laws, land-use regulations, and building permits.
Knowledge of accessibility requirements (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Construction Practices:
Understanding of construction methods, materials, and techniques.
Familiarity with various types of building systems (e.g., structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing).
Ability to identify issues or safety hazards on construction sites related to both design and execution.
Inspection Procedures:
Proficient in inspecting construction sites for compliance with codes and safety standards.
Ability to assess and document violations or deviations from approved plans.
Familiarity with inspection tools and technologies (e.g., digital plans, drones, etc.)
Safety Standards:
Knowledge of safety regulations to protect workers and the public (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards).
Familiarity with fire codes and fire prevention systems.
Ability to assess building structures for stability and potential risks (e.g., structural integrity, seismic safety).
Permit and Plan Review:
Expertise in reviewing construction plans, blueprints, and other documentation to ensure compliance with building codes.
Ability to identify design flaws or code violations during the review process.
Understanding of how to issue permits, certifications of occupancy, and approvals.
Legal Knowledge:
Familiarity with legal procedures, including understanding and enforcing building-related laws and regulations.
Knowledge of legal processes regarding disputes, violations, and appeals.
Understanding of liability and risk management related to building code enforcement.
Environmental and Energy Codes:
Understanding of sustainable building practices, energy-efficient systems, and environmental standards (e.g., LEED certification, energy codes).
Knowledge of environmental regulations related to construction, such as stormwater management and air quality.
Technology and Software:
Proficiency in using building code software, plan review systems, and other digital tools.
Ability to use geographic information systems (GIS) or similar systems for site analysis.
Communication and Conflict Resolution:
Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information to contractors, developers, and the public.
Ability to manage conflicts, address complaints, and enforce compliance fairly and professionally.
Project Management:
Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and inspections simultaneously.
Ability to track permits, timelines, and project milestones.