Building Official

Job Type: Full-time, Civil Service position

Location:

Helena City Hall Application

Job Overview

The City of Helena is seeking an experienced and service-oriented Building Official to lead the City’s building safety and code administration program.

The Building Official oversees permitting, plan review, inspections, code compliance, departmental operations, and public service. This position is responsible for applying adopted construction codes and City ordinances fairly and consistently while maintaining accurate, timely, and defensible records.

The successful candidate will work closely with City leadership, employees, boards, contractors, design professionals, property owners, other agencies, and members of the public.

• Administer and interpret adopted building, residential, existing building, energy, accessibility, property maintenance, zoning, and related codes and ordinances.
• Lead department operations, including staff supervision, assignments, quality control, training, budgeting, purchasing, reporting, and customer-service standards.
• Review construction plans and permit applications for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Perform and oversee inspections of buildings, construction projects, and properties.
• Issue correction notices, stop-work orders, approvals, and certificates of occupancy when supported by applicable codes and documented findings.
• Manage permitting and inspection workflows, digital records, public information, and departmental performance measures.
• Coordinate with the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment and Appeals, Fire Department, Public Works, utilities, design professionals, contractors, property owners, and other agencies.
• Investigate unsafe structures, property-maintenance concerns, and code complaints.
• Apply notice, hearing, appeal, and enforcement procedures consistently and with appropriate due process.
• Explain technical requirements clearly and assist applicants in achieving voluntary compliance.
• Monitor changes in construction codes, state law, accessibility standards, construction technology, energy efficiency, and emerging building systems.
• Recommend updates to City codes, policies, fees, and departmental procedures.
• Attend public meetings, present technical findings, maintain case records, and provide testimony when required.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in building construction, inspections, plans examination, code administration, architecture, engineering, or a closely related field.
• Supervisory or program-lead experience.
• Relevant postsecondary education may substitute for a portion of the experience requirement.
• At least one current International Code Council certification directly related to the position, such as Commercial Building Inspector, Residential Building Inspector, or Building Plans Examiner.
• Working knowledge of construction documents, inspection procedures, accessibility requirements, zoning and land-use coordination, administrative enforcement, due process, and public-sector recordkeeping.
• Ability to communicate technical decisions clearly in writing and in person.
• Ability to supervise employees, manage competing deadlines, and work effectively with the public and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Experience using electronic permitting, inspection, or records-management systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the City’s insurability requirements.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, public administration, planning, or a related field.
• Additional ICC inspector or plans examiner certifications.
• Certified Floodplain Manager, MS4 Stormwater certification, property-maintenance or code-enforcement credentials, or a comparable professional designation.
• Experience leading a municipal or county building department.
• Experience implementing electronic permitting systems, improving customer-facing processes, or preparing and administering a public budget.