Building & Safety Manager/Chief Building Official (Temporary)

Building & Safety Manager

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Building & Safety Manager in the Planning Department! This position is designated as the City's Chief Building Official and has division level responsibilities for the overall administration and direction of the City's building, zoning, housing, fire, and related codes and regulations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience providing administrative and technical oversight for building construction activities, building code enforcement, rental housing safety enforcement and grant funded programs. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to manage high performing teams; communicate effectively and tactfully, in writing, verbally, and in presentations to boards, commissions, and elected officials; leverage expert knowledge of state and municipal building and housing codes and ordinances and other relevant codes; provide excellent customer service to a variety of clients; develop, maintain and improve operational procedures related to plan checks, inspections, permit issuances, and other relevant functions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of collaborators; and balance competing priorities within a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is: Equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a major in civil engineering, architecture, urban planning or a closely related field; and five (5) years of experience in building services and enforcement functions (including standards development), which includes at least five (5) years of professional level experience in the enforcement of building codes and ordinances. At least two (2) years of the experience noted above must have included responsibility for the supervision of a sizable enforcement staff. Experience in dealing with citizen boards is desirable. Substitutions:

1. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college course work on a year-for-year basis.
2. Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Building Official certification and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience at a senior level in building and safety services equivalent to the Senior Building Plans Examiner may be substituted for the supervisory experience.

Other requirements: Possession of a valid International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner or Building Inspector certification is required. A California license as a Structural or Civil Engineer is desirable. Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must be able to attend evening meetings.

Application Process

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on September 7, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Exam Process

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required certification(s)

• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.

Benefits

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more. Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement: CalPERS City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members). Deferred Compensation The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans: Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan: The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan: The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance: The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave: Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation: New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see MOU).

Holidays: 15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually