Chief Building Inspector

Salary : $89,916.11 - $147,462.42 Annually
Location : Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Job Type: Full-time; Regular Appointment
Job Number: 2026-65
Department: Building
Opening Date: 02/06/2026

Description
We are offering a $10,000.00 sign-on bonus for the position of Chief Building Inspector.
Position Summary:
The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of complex technical and administrative work in a typical office setting. Supervises the inspection and enforcement of an assigned activity in the Building Department.
Position Scope:
This is a Chief tradesman and Essential Personnel position.
Illustrative Examples of Essential Duties
This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent may be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, and reviews the work of inspectors and plans reviewers to ensure compliance with applicable building codes and standards.
• Exercises independent judgment under the general direction of the Building Official and participates in administrative staff meetings.
• Establishes and implements policies, procedures, and best practices for inspection and enforcement activities, subject to approval by the Building Official.
• Identifies training needs, arranges or conducts professional development, and monitors employee performance, punctuality, conduct, and code knowledge.
• Recommends personnel actions including hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, or termination.
• Administers the City's building inspection program, including inspections of buildings, structures, construction materials, and premises for compliance with city, county, state, and federal codes and regulations.
• Oversees plan review activities for building safety, structural integrity, fire protection, public safety, and floodplain compliance.
• Confirms all required inspections are completed and documentation is in place prior to issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
• Investigates complaints related to construction, repairs, alterations, use, occupancy, and maintenance of buildings and structures.
• Issues citations, stop-work orders, and recommends condemnation or demolition when necessary to protect life and property.
• Coordinates prosecution of violations and represents the Building Official at hearings and appeals, including the Miami-Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals
• Supervises the permit issuance process and reviews plans and specifications for compliance prior to permit approval.
• Discusses plan requirements and code interpretations with architects, engineers, contractors, builders, and property owners.
• Ensures construction sites are reviewed for feasibility and compliance prior to and during construction activities.
• Interacts courteously and tactfully with managers, co-workers, industry professionals, and the public.
• Provides guidance and answers inquiries regarding code requirements, permitting, inspection procedures, and safety regulations.
• Treats every resident, design professional, contractor, and business partner as a valued customer, consistent with exceptional public-service standards.
• Assist administering the local National Flood Insurance Program and ensures compliance with FEMA and floodplain management regulations.
• Coordinates implementation of the Florida Building Code, State of Florida Model Energy Code, and coastal construction requirements.
• Assists with the development and revision of building code policies and legal provisions related to construction and building use.
• May represent the Building Department in the absence of the Building Official or Assistant Building Director.
• Prepares and submits activity reports, inspection records, and case documentation.
• Identifies and recommends cost-control measures to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Continuously monitors and improves departmental procedures to support quality, safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• The Chief Building Inspector must possess comprehensive knowledge of modern office practices and procedures, including accurate recordkeeping, filing systems, and professional correspondence formats. Strong command of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation is required, along with solid skills in business writing, report preparation, and public communication. Proficiency in basic mathematics and familiarity with adult learning and training principles are essential. The position requires the ability to read, interpret, and analyze complex documents, building plans, specifications, and technical materials, as well as the ability to clearly explain building codes, ordinances, regulations, and inspection procedures to staff, design professionals, contractors, and the public.
• Extensive knowledge of building construction methods, materials, and inspection practices is necessary, including thorough understanding of the Florida Building Code, National Fire Protection Association standards, relevant state statutes, and local county and municipal ordinances. Familiarity with OSHA safety standards, accessibility codes, and the Miami-Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals functions and certification requirements is expected. The individual must demonstrate strong leadership, including skill in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and disciplining personnel, while maintaining professionalism and fairness in resolving employee issues and public concerns.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, with the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex or controversial topics to staff, management, public boards, and community groups. The position requires the ability to manage sensitive inquiries with tact, objectivity, empathy, and integrity, and to build and maintain positive working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders. Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the capacity to make difficult decisions in high-pressure situations are critical. The incumbent must be able to plan and direct a coordinated inspection program, interpret technical terminology, and apply established codes and standards while adapting to new challenges. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and familiarity with permitting and construction software systems are required.

Minimum Requirements

Required Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required, supplemented by ten (10) years related experienced as a licensed General Contractor, Florida Registered Architect, or Professional Engineer. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection, construction administration, plan review, is required, including supervisory experience and demonstrated knowledge of high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) standards and high-rise construction.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida certification as a Standard Building Inspector and Building Plans Examiner required.
• Certification as Building Code Administration or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• A valid Florida driver's license is required.
• Must meet all other licensure requirements set forth by the Miami-Dade County Chapter 8 and the Board of Rules and Appeals.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• The essential job functions of this position will require the employee to perform the following physical activities. Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis:
  The employee is frequently required to communicate effectively with staff, contractors, and the public in person, by phone, and in writing. Duties regularly involve reading, reviewing, and presenting documents, as well as operating a computer and keyboard. The employee must be able to use hands and fingers to handle materials, operate equipment, and perform inspection tasks. Work involves frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, and occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, or balancing during site inspections. The employee must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. The position requires the ability to lift and move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 30 pounds occasionally. Visual abilities include close vision, color perception, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Additional Information:

• There is a one-year probationary period.
• It is the responsibility of the incumbent to maintain their licenses and/or certifications as a job requirement.

Health Insurance

The City has a three tiered stipend plan to help offset the cost of employee health insurance coverage. The three tiers are as follows:

1. Opt Out - Employees opting out of the City's health insurance plan receive $550 contribution, pro-rated semi-monthly. Only employees who provide proof they are enrolled in a creditable coverage insurance plan or Medicare may "opt-out" of the City's health insurance plan. The City reserves the right to verify coverage, request additional information, deny, or cancel this benefit at anytime.
2. Single Coverage - Employees choosing single coverage receive a contribution of $814.60 monthly, pro-rated semi-monthly.
3. Dependent Coverage - Employees choosing dependent coverage receive a monthly contribution amount of $1,183.92 if enrolling with employee + child(ren) coverage, $1,261.40 if enrolling with employee + spouse coverage, or $1,5633.48 if enrolling with family coverage, pro-rated semi-monthly.

If the dollar amount of the coverage selected is less than the amount allowed, the employee receives the difference, prorated semi-monthly, Likewise if the dollar amount of the insurance coverage selected exceeds the allowed amount, the employee pays the difference, pro-rated semi-monthly, The City will deduct all applicable taxes.

Currently the City offers two health insurance plans through United Health Care as follows:

1. High Option OAP - Standard Insurance Plan
2. Low Option OAPIN - Lower tiered insurance plan with higher deductibles and co-payments.

Dental and Vision Insurance

The City pays 100% of the cost for employee coverage for dental DHMO plan and the vision plan and 50% of the cost for dependent coverage for dental DHMO plan and the vision plan. Dental and vision insurance are mandatory for employees.
The City offers a DHMO dental plan through United Health Care. A PPO Dental plan is available as an upgraded option. The City offers a PPO vision plan through EyeMed.
Life Insurance

The City provides group term life insurance coverage for employees as follows:
• General Employees - One times the amount of employee's annual salary or $25,000, whichever is greater.
• Department Heads - Two times the amount of employee's annual salary.
Long Term Disability

The City provides each employee with long term disability insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance at no cost.
Workers Compensation

The City may provide full salary to employees injured on the job for a period of up to 13 weeks, (in lieu of the 2/3 salary offered by the state). Thereafter, employees must seek supplemental pay through the City provided Long-Term Disability Plan.
Cafeteria Plan

The City offers employees optional pre-tax insurance plans (Section 125) through AFLAC. Plans include cancer insurance, short-term disability insurance, and more. Also offered is a Flexible Spending Account, which can be used to put money aside, pre-tax, for planned medical/dental expenses, and for childcare expenses.

Retirement

Employees are automatically enrolled in one of two retirement plans, depending upon hire date and position. The plans are as follows:

• Florida Retirement System ("FRS"): Under this plan, employees and the City make a contribution to the retirement plan in an amount specified according to the employee's classification. The current contribution rates are as follows:

Class

Employee Contribution

Rate

City Contribution

Rate

Total Contribution Rate

Regular Class:

3.00%

14.03%

17.03%

Special Risk Class:

3.00%

35.19%

38.19%

Senior Management Class:

3.00%

33.24%

36.24%
Employees have the option of choosing the Pension Plan or the Investment Plan.

Under the Pension Plan, employees enrolled in the FRS prior to July 1, 2011, need to have 6 years of service to be vested. Employees enrolled in the FRS on or after July 1, 2011, must have 8 years of service to be vested.

Under the Investment Plan, employees need to have 1 year of service to be vested.

ICMA-RC (now MissionSquare Retirement):
General Employees: All eligible employees hired before November 2002 were enrolled in the ICMA Plan. This plan is not open to newly hired employees. Under this plan, the City contributes 11% and the employee 4% to a retirement investment plan. Employees are fully vested after 3 years.

Senior Management Employees: All eligible employees hired before November 2002 were enrolled in the ICMA Plan. This plan is only open to certain positions which are not designated and/or classified under FRS. Under this plan, the City contributes 11% and the employee 6% to a retirement investment plan. Employees are fully vested after 3 years.
An optional Section 457 tax deferred savings program is available to employees who wish to supplement future retirement income. The plan allows employees to put aside a portion of their earnings pre-tax each pay period, through payroll deduction, into an account for their retirement and reduce the amount of earnings that is currently taxable.
Sick Leave

Employee earn twelve (12) sick days per calendar year on a prorated basis (1.846 per week).
Vacation Leave

Employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis as follows:
• General Employees: 10 days per year (1.539 hours per week).
• Department Heads - Fifteen (15) days per year (2.308 hours per week)

Vacation accruals are increased incrementally thereafter, as per City policy.
Holidays

Employees are compensated for twelve (12) Federal holidays per year. These include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Police Appreciation Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Floating Holidays

Employees earn floating holidays as follows :
• General Employees - Two (2) days per calendar year
• Department Heads/Managers - Seven (7) days per calendar year

Floating Holidays are pro-rated dependent upon hire date.
Direct Deposit

The City offers direct deposit of your payroll check into your personal account(s) at the financial institution(s) of your choice.
Credit Union

The City offers memberships in three credit unions: Space Coast Credit Union, Dade County Federal Credit Union and Peoples Credit Union.
01

Are you currently employed, or have you ever been employed with the City of Sunny Isles Beach? If so, in what capacity?

• NO
• Employee
• Contractor
• Volunteer
• Other

02

Describe your highest level of education:

• High School
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

03

Are you a Florida Registered Architect, or Professional Engineer with a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection, construction administration, plan review, is required, including supervisory experience and demonstrated knowledge of high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) standards and high-rise construction?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a Floodplain Manager Certification (CFM)?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have municipal, county, state or federal government experience?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, list name of municipal/county government, in what capacity, and for how long: (If none, please type "NONE.")
07

Do you have a valid Florida Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

08

Where did you hear about this opportunity?

• Website
• Job Fair
• Linkedin
• CareerBuilder.com
• Florida League of Cities
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Miami Herald
• Sun Sentinel
• Professional Organization
• City Employee
• Friend
• Other

Required Question