Assistant Building Official

Description

NATURE OF WORK
This classification involves the technical, administrative, and supervisory work to enforce the Florida Building Code and related regulations within the City. An employee in this position assists the Building Official in assigned duties; directs and oversees the City building permit and inspection programs; maintains standards of operations within legal requirements; assists in inspections; oversees complaints and related investigations; and prepares information for legal proceedings. This position also attends various assigned Boards, recommends code revisions, and helps form policies and procedures for assigned area.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates the enforcement of the Florida Building Code; confers with staff members on work problems; and occasionally accompanies staff in the field to review unusual problems and to give general assistance.
• Assists in supervising approval of applications for building permits; confers or corresponds with architects, building owners, contractors, and residents concerning questions involved in the enforcement process.
• Assists in supervising the activities involved in building plans examination, on-site inspections of work in progress, final approvals, or the remedial procedure for disapprovals.
• Assists in supervising employees engaged in the inspection of buildings in the process of construction, alteration, or modification for compliance with the building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and zoning codes and regulations for conformity with approved plans and permits.
• Discusses building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing problems with builders, architects, contractors, engineers and others; examines plans, sketches, and specifications for adherence to established codes and requirements; personally investigates corrective action; maintains records; and compiles data relating to inspection programs.
• Coordinates City inspection section with county and state agencies as needed.
• Participates in the activities of various assigned boards and commissions dealing with matters relating to the Florida Building Code; makes recommendations for changes in ordinances and regulations relative to construction.
• Assists in the formulation of written procedures for the building plan review and inspection sections.
• Recommends code revisions as necessary; investigates complaints and offers resolutions; and trains and coordinates Plans Examiners and Inspectors in the enforcement of the adopted codes and regulations.
• Oversees the investigation of complaints, issuance of violation notices and preparation of evidence in filing complaints for judicial proceedings.
• Provides direction concerning difficult work problems; ensures effective use of resources and cost containment measures.
• Investigates complaints, issues violation notices, and prepares evidence in filing complaints for judicial proceedings.
• Maintains effective relationships with municipal and outside agencies.
• Serves as the Building Official in absence of the Building Official.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

EDUCATION

• Graduation from an accredited high school/vocational school or G.E.D. equivalency diploma.

LICENSES AND EXPERIENCE

• Such person shall be certified by Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA) and shall meet at least one of the following qualifications:Per Section 104.1.3.1.1 of Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code, a Florida Registered Architect or Professional Engineer having practiced for at least seven (7) years, a minimum of five (5) years shall have been within the jurisdiction of the HVHZ;

OR

• 
  Ten (10) years combined experience as a Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor, General Contractor, Master Mechanical, Mechanical Contractor Class A Air Conditioning Contractor, Master Plumber, Plumbing Contractor, Chief Inspector, Standard Plans Examiner or Standard Inspector appointed by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or school board within the State of Florida. A minimum of five (5) years shall have been within the jurisdiction of the HVHZ.

• As part of the experience requirements above, the applicant shall have been appointed as Chief Inspector, Standard Plans Examiner or Standard Inspector by an AHJ or school board within the State of Florida for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Each applicant shall possess a current Certificate of Competency or a Professional Engineer license or Architect registration issued by at least one (1) of the following entities:Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board as a General Contractor, Mechanical Contractor or Plumbing ContractorFlorida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board as an Electrical ContractorBroward County Central Examining Board of Building Construction Trades (as Class A unlimited general contractor)Broward County Central Examining Board of Electricians as a Master Electrician or Electrical ContractorBroward County Central Examining Board of Mechanical Contractors and Specialty Mechanical Contractors as a Mechanical Contractor or Class A Air Conditioning ContractorBroward County Central Examining Board of Plumbers as a Master PlumberMiami-Dade County Construction Trades Qualifying Board for any of the above-referenced disciplines.Florida Board of Architecture and Interior DesignFlorida Board of Professional Engineers
• An applicant for Certification as Building Official or Assistant Building Official under the provisions of this section may only substitute two (2) years HVHZ experience with two (2) years of statewide experience by passing the BORA HVHZ exam.
• An applicant for Certification as a Building Official or Assistant Building Official under the provisions of this section who is a graduate of an accredited school may be credited for a maximum of two (2) years for a bachelor's degree or a maximum of one (1) year for an associate degree towards the combined experience requirements. The bachelor's or associate must be a science degree in engineering, architecture, or building construction. This credit is not applicable to the requirements under Section 104.1.3.1.1 of the Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code.
• Broad experience in building, trades, or inspection work including a reasonable amount of supervisory experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel desired.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• The ability to be certified as an Assistant Building Official by the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals per requirements of the Florida Building Code for the City of Sunrise.
• Possession of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Must obtain a valid Florida driver's license prior to hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical :

• Must have sufficient strength and agility to permit some lifting, kneeling, bending, reaching and climbing steps or ladders. Sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time required
• Ability to occasionally require to sit, climb or balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push and/or pull, twist and make repetitive hand movements. Ability to load, carry, lift, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Must have the ability to operate a City issued motor vehicle, raising objects from lower to higher positions or moving horizontally from position-to-position.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment; however, the position may also require field visits within various locations within the City.
• Work hours may vary as operations required and may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Some duties may require exposure to adverse conditions including but not limited to: varying temperature; inclement weather and/or other adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory:

• The ability to perceive and differentiate visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Requires ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload and to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate while completing tasks within established time frames. It also requires interaction with employees from all City departments/divisions and the public.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of engineering principles as applied to the design and construction of a broad range of building structures and facilities.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the field of building inspection and plan review.
• Knowledge of the Florida Building Code.
• Knowledge of building construction methods and materials.
• Knowledge of the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes encompassing the Florida Building Code.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
• Skill in using Office (including Microsoft Word and Excel) and job-related software.
• Ability to operate a computer terminal and to utilize electronic plan review and related databases effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and construction related documents.
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinates.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Ability to supervise employees engaged in building permitting, plan review, and inspection operations.
• Ability to compile, read, and comprehend data and reports relating to division activities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in decision making of all areas of responsibilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, supervisors, employees, general public, co-workers, contractors, City officials, and other City employees, vendors, the general public and other outside organizations with the goal of fostering positive employee relations and employee morale.
• Ability to meet with the public to explain and enforce regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially, sometimes in stressful or emotional situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while using tact and independent judgement to address escalated situations.
• Demonstrates a polite, helpful and courteous manner when engaged in any activity involving the public while demonstrating an understanding, consideration, and respect for cultural, religious and gender differences.
• Ability to utilize effective communication skills and proficiency with computer skills, grammar and composition are required.
• Ability to plan and organize workload to achieve stated objectives in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to withstand pressure of competing priorities and varied responsibilities.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively to develop win-win solutions.
• Ability to evaluate the impact of alternative courses of action and evaluate circumstances of an innovative, new, or unprecedented nature.