County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, to plan, organize and direct the enforcement of legal provisions governing building activities in Alameda County; to act as technical advisor to the County Board of Supervisors, the County Planning Commission, or other public officials and groups on matters related to the building inspection program; to investigate major violations requiring citations or legal complaints; to administer a program of enforcing codes and ordinances pertaining to building inspection; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is distinguished from the next lower levels of Supervising Plans Checker and Supervising Building Inspector in that the Building Official has responsibility for overseeing coordination of both Building Inspection and Plan Checking, and handles difficult problems and code interpretation, as well as budget preparation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes and directs a comprehensive program of building inspection and enforcement according to the provisions of State laws and local codes and ordinances in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, and incorporated areas contracting for such services; initiates, interprets and applies polices relating to the building inspection and enforcement program.

2. Assists in determining the need for legal action on the part of the District Attorney; appears as a witness or technical advisor in court or before the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors in situations concerning the interpretation, enforcement, and use of related codes and ordinances.

3. Interviews applicants for employment within the Building Inspection Department, selects new employees, and evaluates employees’ performance; directs an in-service training program; initiates and approves personnel transactions, and assignments of personnel within the Department.

4. Acts as technical adviser to the County Board of Supervisors, the County Planning Commission, and other public officials and groups on matters related to the building inspection program; reviews proposed legislation affecting the program; works with professional and technical groups in evaluating the Uniform Building Code; recommends new and revised ordinances and works with County Counsel in drafting such ordinances.

5. May personally review plans for compliance with the County Building Code; investigates building violations requiring citations or legal complaints, and prepares reports for the District Attorney.

6. Confers and corresponds with other technical and professional personnel regarding building code interpretation; prepares verbal and written directives for staff guidance on code interpretation and the enforcement program; interviews salesmen and business representatives requesting approval of materials or methods not explicitly included in building codes; investigates complaints and other public relations problems, prepares reports, and takes corrective action.

7. Speaks before civic and professional groups to explain and interpret the County building inspection program; attends technical meetings and conferences.

8. Directs the preparation of the annual budget, showing justification for requested appropriations and staffing; administers the approved budget and controls expenditures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either

I
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in the class of Supervising Building Inspector, Supervising Plans Checker, or Grading Supervisor in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or

II
Education:

The equivalent of two years of college course work in such fields as civil engineering, architecture, or building code enforcement,

And

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time increasingly responsible administrative or supervisory experience in building code enforcement or plan checking. (Two additional years of supervisory experience in building code enforcement and administration may be substituted for the educational requirement.)

Or

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience at the level of superintendent in the building construction industry.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.


Certificate:

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.

Or

Possession of certification as a Building Official issued by the International Code Council (ICC).

The Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer is preferred.

Special Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the State law requires that a Building Official must qualify for
certification in at least one of the following codes (Plumbing, Electrical, Building or Mechanical) or combination of all four codes by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), by the end of two years of employment. Not obtaining a certificate in at least one of the building codes after two years of employment will result in termination.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of supervision and personnel management.
• Laws and regulations affecting the building inspection program and the philosophy and functions of such a program in a public agency.
• Modern methods of building construction and principles of structural engineering.
• Methods, materials, tools and safety practices of the building, plumbing, and electrical trades.
• Legal processes and considerations involved in prosecuting violations of the building codes and ordinances.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct a comprehensive building inspection program in a public agency.
• Read, interpret, and perform complex analyses of building plans for major structures.
• Formulate and apply uniform policies and standards for the building inspection program.
• Evaluate legal violations and take appropriate action.
• Speak effectively in public.
• Establish public confidence in the building inspection program, and maintain cooperative relations with other officials and agencies.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document: 1070H/RSS:pb
Revised 11/74
BL:rr
Revised 7/78
RSS:pb
Revised 2/27/87
DF:sw
Revised 11/5/93
HC:sw
Revised 3/30/98; 4/7/99
New document: Jobspecs/8345
ys/9/01
CSC Date: 6/9/99

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.