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.

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:

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.

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. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

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 at the time of application.

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…