Employment Opportunities

The City of Harrisonburg Community Development Department’s Building Official position offers qualified candidates the opportunity to become a leader in a collaborative teamwork environment while making a direct impact in the City. If you have prior experience in codes enforcement, inspections, and supervision, consider applying today!

The Building Official is a full-time exempt position with benefits and a preferred hiring range of $34.36 – $39.51 per hour (equivalent to $71,468 – $82,180 annually). An exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s qualifications/experience and in compliance with City Policy Section 3: Compensation.

The ideal candidate for this position will oversee the administration and enforcement of state and local building codes while also planning, directing, and participating in various inspection and code enforcement activities. As a division leader in the department, the candidate should have the ability to effectively plan and supervise the work of direct reports while exhibiting the City’s values.

Find out more information related to this opportunity by visiting the City’s website.

To Apply: Applications will be accepted on the City’s website until a suitable pool of candidates is received. This position may close at any time after 10 calendar days. (posted 05/27/2022)

The City provides an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement (VRS & MissionSquare), life insurance, paid leave and holidays.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.

The City of Harrisonburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Under general supervision, performs technical and skilled inspection work in areas of expertise of the building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures during various stages of construction, alteration, renovation and/or repair.  Employee must exercise independent judgment in applying these standards to a variety of work situations.  Employee must also exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in dealing with contractors, property owners and the public.  Reports to the Building Official.

HIRING SALARY: $51,787 +/- Depending on Qualifications

Example of Duties:

• Performs residential, commercial, industrial building and structure, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical inspections for compliance with the USBC, County ordinances, and related state laws.  Reviews newly issued building permits along with plans and specifications; assists and advises contractors and others regarding pertinent regulations.
• Uses electronic permitting system to prepare and complete inspection reports and plans review checklists; maintains all necessary reports and records pertaining to inspections and code enforcement work.  Schedules follow up inspections in the electronic system as necessary until phase of project is completed.
• Enforces state and local building codes, issuing stop-work orders and pursuing other legal remedies, as necessary, to stop violations.
• Investigates complaints with regard to defective construction and work being done without a permit.  Takes inspection requests over the telephone, in person, and from call-in line and prepares inspection request forms; testifies in court in code violation cases, as necessary.
• Attends and participates in meetings, or prepares correspondence, works/interacts with builders and contractors to advise them of code changes and violations at construction sites.
• Reviews and studies Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBS), National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations as well as other County codes and ordinances to stay informed of changes in trade areas of expertise; attends training and completes necessary classes to maintain required inspection certifications.
• Answers telephone; receives inquiries and provides information or refers inquiries to appropriate personnel.
• Conducts disaster assessments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Possession of a high school diploma/GED.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical trades and one (1) year of experience as a certified inspector in a local government setting.
• To be considered for this position, your online application must include your cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references.
  • Professional references are individuals who can attest to your job related knowledge, skills and abilities while working or in a volunteer capacity and are not family or personally related. Professional references should include job title, company name and address, phone numbers and email address if available.

Special Requirements:

• ICC = International Code Council, DHCD= Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• Possession of ICC or DHCD certification in two trade areas (Electrical, Building, Plumbing, Mechanical) for both residential and commercial inspections.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license; possess and maintain a driving record that meets established Gloucester County Driving Standards.
• Pass a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination. Employee may be subject to subsequent physical examinations to ensure he/she meets job-related physical requirements.

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:                             

Performs difficult professional and administrative work helping oversee the administration and enforcement of County and state building codes; does related work as required.  Work is performed under general supervision of the Building Official. Supervision is exercised over all department personnel in the absence of the Building Official.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

Helping supervise inspections for compliance with local and state building codes; helping to coordinate work with County Administrator and department directors; assisting in maintenance of records and files; preparing reports; testifying in Court.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Assists in planning, coordination, supervision and participation in building, mechanical and plumbing inspection activities with responsibility for enforcing the laws, ordinances and codes relating to the construction and alteration of buildings within the County.
• Reviews building plans; attends preliminary site plan meetings on large projects.
• Assists in overseeing building permit issuance and review of all major permit applications.
• Assists in investigation of complaints of inspection activities, recommends appropriate action; responds to customer questions.
• Works with architects, builders and engineers to ensure compliance with building codes; conducts preconstruction meetings on large projects.
• Prepares evidence and testifies in court on code violation cases.
• Researches and prepares a variety of reports and correspondence on inspection and code compliance matters.
• Investigates complaints for building code violations; conducts building inspections.
• Assists in preparation of department budget.
• Performs plans review and inspections for compliance with erosion and sediment control codes; investigates erosion and sediment control and maintenance code complaints.
• Teaches code classes for contractors and builders, when assigned.
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical code enforcement; thorough knowledge of building, construction, engineering and structural engineering principles and practices; ability to plan, direct and coordinate the various phases of inspection services; ability to supervise the work of subordinates; ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form; firmness and tact in enforcing codes and ordinances; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, government officials, and the general public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, planning, architecture or related field and extensive experience in building code enforcement and inspections work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Possession of appropriate certifications including certifications to conduct building inspections.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

General Definition of Work

Performs complex professional and administrative work overseeing and participating in the enforcement of building codes and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work is performed under the general direction of the County Administrator.  Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The building official shall have at least 5 years building experience as a licensed professional engineer or architect, building, fire or trade inspector, contractor, housing inspector or superintendent of building, fire or trade construction or at least at least 5 years building experience after obtaining a degree in architecture or engineering, with at least 3 years in responsible charge of work.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Essential Functions

Serves as Building Official; coordinates building plan reviews and inspection activities; issues building permits and certificates of occupancy.

Oversees and participates in the enforcement of building codes; issues notices of violation and stop work orders on building, investigates complaints of inspection activities; prepares evidence and testifies in court on building violations cases.

Develops, recommends and implements policies, procedures and processes.

Prepares and submits annual budget for approval; monitors expenditures; reviews and verifies accounts payable.

Assigns, directs and inspects the work of staff; assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; investigates complaints; coaches or counsels’ staff; effectively recommends the hiring, reward, transfer, promotion, suspension, termination, discipline and demotion of departmental personnel; evaluates staff performance; recommends staff schedules and reviews timesheets.

Receives and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints.

Represents the County on various boards and commissions; attends meetings as needed.

Handles correspondence, prepares a wide variety of administrative reports; maintains records and files.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General knowledge of the principals and practices of civil engineering; ability to review and analyze plans and specifications for the construction of public facilities; ability to formulate comprehensive operational policies and procedures; ability to prepare complex technical reports; ability to supervise the work of a wide ranging professional staff; ability to maintain effective working relationships with County officials, elected officials, employees, contractors, engineers and the general public.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree with coursework in public works administration, engineering, or related field and extensive experience in code enforcement, public works, and supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work frequently standing, walking and speaking or hearing and occasionally requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather) and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Special Requirements

An acting or permanent building official shall be certified as a building official in accordance with the VCS within 1 year after being appointed as acting or permanent building official.

Valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

$84,552.00 – $129,126.40 Annually

Closing Date: 06/02/2022

The Inspection Services Division (ISD) within the Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD) seeking a results-oriented Permit Administration Manager to manage the Permit Administration Program and related administrative procedures for all new and existing construction within the county. This key senior level employee leads the unit facilitating building permits and construction inspections through direct contact with construction/development professionals, engineers, architects, attorneys, and the public.

Specific duties include:

• Planning and overseeing the strategic operations of an organization unit;
• Providing excellent customer service to staff, citizen groups, developers, contractors, attorneys, engineers, and other departments while enforcing the VUSBC regarding construction and inspections policy, procedures and requirements, inspection scheduling and legal notices;
• Coordinating and integrating work processes across section and program lines and troubleshooting related processes;
• Responding to grams and other requests from the County Board and the County Manager’s Office related to Division work;
• Coaching and developing staff and tracking and evaluating staff performance;
• Projecting revenues for the budget process, recommending fee changes and preparing board reports related to fees;
• Ensuring the financial health of the development fund by monitoring procedures and security measures to maximize fee collections and noting industry trends and issues;
• Providing subject matter expertise to CPHD IT staff related to permitting and other division services and procedures; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public/Business Administration, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Planning, or a closely related field; and
• Significant experience managing administrative processes and/or customer service in a construction, code enforcement, public infrastructure, or real estate environment

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s Degree in related field and experience in one or more of the following:

• Reading and interpreting construction plans, specifications, codes, regulations, and/or ordinances;
• Working with boards and commissions and customer groups and making relevant presentations to individuals, groups, and organizations;
• Conflict management and resolution; or
• Process reengineering.