Principal Building Inspector (Housing and Dangerous Buildings)

Principal Building Inspector

The Community Development Department is seeking a Principal Building Inspector for the Code Enforcement Division, under the Housing and Dangerous Buildings Section. This position oversees area and program supervisors and ensures critical path deadlines are met for high-profile and dangerous building projects in the city.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent customer service and communication skills. They will have the required skills to effectively lead a team of building inspectors, including the ability to train both technical and soft skills. Organization, case, and time management skills will be key to juggling multiple assignments, programs, and projects. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have the ability to make critical and precise decisions on dangerous buildings that are a hazard to the life and safety of the community, as well as make complex inspection decisions. Make an impact on your community by joining the City of Sacramento's vibrant and dynamic building industry.

Under general direction, the Principal Building Inspector plans, coordinates, directs, and supervises the activities of building inspection and code enforcement staff; performs the more difficult field and administrative work within the area of field inspections; recommends revisions, alterations, and corrections; coordinates activities with internal and external individuals, groups and agencies.

This position is a two-position management classification. One Principal Building Inspector supervises the Inspection Section of the Building Division of the Planning and Building Department; the other supervises the Housing and Dangerous Buildings Sections and Code Action Team in the Neighborhood Services Division. The Principal Building Inspector is distinguished from the lower classification of Chief Building Inspector in that the latter have as their primary responsibility, the development, interpretation and application of building codes and ordinances while the former exercises broader supervisory, administrative, and management responsibilities, and functions more independently. This classification is distinguished from higher-level management classifications in that the latter manage a major division or department with full administrative responsibility for all department or division functions.

Supervision is received and exercised by the Chief Building Official or, if assigned to Neighborhood Services, from the Neighborhood Services Area Director. Responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of subordinate supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Typical duties include providing technical expertise in the review of residential plans and specifications for new construction / alteration / repair of residences and buildings; checking for compliance with applicable building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical installations, and for conformance with applicable codes; supervising the assignment of inspection requests for residential and commercial construction and installation; participating in the more difficult field inspections and assisting subordinates in resolving the more complex inspection problems; interpreting building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and zoning ordinances to subordinates and the public; assisting in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, and priorities; recommending alterations to correct defects and ensure code specifications; enforcing State regulations as they relate to building construction and use; recommending revisions to building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes; assisting the City Attorneys Office in detection and prosecution of code violators; developing and implementing training procedures for section employees; conducting special studies and analyzing results as needed; writing reports, letters, and other documents; meeting with individuals or groups or the public to provide information; making presentations in order to advise on special problems; investigating complaints and inspecting structures to determine the safety of housing or buildings, if required; inspecting and testing new and revised electrical appliances and equipment for conformance with local and national standards; and performing other or related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of principles and practices of effective management, supervision, and training; methods, practices, materials, principles, techniques, and processes used in building construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical installations; principles, methods, and practices used by model code organizations to write and adopt codes; building codes and related laws and local ordinances; urban renewal objectives; safety rules, regulations, and practices as applied to construction and code enforcement; stages of construction where defects and violations of building regulations, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes are most readily observed and corrected; site development, zoning compliance, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, smoke control, fire suppression, and security systems; public relations techniques and practices; building inspection principles and practices; statistical concepts and methods; and project management. Skill in use of modern office equipment including computers, computer applications, and software. Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of a section; detect structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical faults and appraise for quality of construction and physical depreciation; accurately interpret plans and specifications of considerable complexity; supervise, plan, organize, and control the work of subordinates engaged in inspections, office, and technical work; establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the general public, including department representatives, property owners, contractors, civic groups, and personnel from other jurisdictions; recommend improvements in building inspection operations and activities; communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing; prepare and present clear and concise reports; make public presentations on complicated building issues; interact with the media effectively as assigned; and understand diverse needs of building requests.

Experience : Five years of progressively responsible journey level experience in the field of building inspection and construction, including two years in a supervisory capacity. Education : A Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in either a construction-related field such as engineering or construction management, or a management-related field such as public or business administration, or a related field. Substitution : Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Proof of education should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at the time of appointment. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.