Building Codes Section Chief

Job Description - Building Codes Section Chief )

Position Title:

Building Codes Section Chief - (  )

Shape the skylines and safety of Montana’s communities from the front row of decision making. As the Building Codes Section Chief, you’ll lead an expert team that turns complex regulations into real world protection guiding how homes, schools, and businesses are built across the state. In this role, you don’t just enforce Montana’s Building Code; you drive its evolution through code adoption, oversee and certify local building programs, and steward high‑impact inspections and reviews that keep people safe.

MISSION STATEMENT: Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Respect
• Integrity

It’s about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team‑based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

The Section Chief of the Building Codes Program serves as a key leader within the Employment Standards Division and oversees a high‑performance team responsible for the administration of Montana’s Building Code and ensures building code compliance. The position oversees building codes section managers to support and advance division goals and objectives through code adoption, certification of local building programs, inspections and reviews.

The Building Codes Section Chief will:

• Lead and manage by directing a highly experienced management team and ensuring alignment with division strategic objectives and goals.
• Provide effective leadership by modeling professional conduct, resolving conflicts, facilitating organizational change, and offering guidance and technical expertise to staff.
• Oversee daily operations by addressing operational issues and crises, deploying unit resources efficiently, and serving as a cross‑bureau liaison to promote information sharing, coordination, and continuity of operations.
• Plan, organize, and monitor work by establishing and revising work plans, priorities, and procedures; conducting staff meetings; and using data to support program, bureau, and division goals.
• Manage Section staff
  , including recruitment, selection, onboarding, evaluation, technical expertise in Montana’s Building Code and how it harmonizes with other laws, rules and codes, and performance management, ensuring compliance with state and departmental personnel rules, regulations, and policies.
• Develop staff by coordinating and evaluating training based on program needs, staff input, professional development goals, and budget considerations.
• Provide project management leadership through Division Road Map and other strategic projects, using established project management principles and methodologies.
• Plan and facilitate projects by facilitating meetings and work sessions; develop and maintain project life‑cycle documentation; report progress and outcomes to stakeholders; and prioritize and allocate resources.
• Collaboration with Technical Services Division by aligning business needs with IT development and implementation efforts.
• Develop Code Adoption Drafts by gathering stakeholder input, reviewing laws, rules and current codes to determine the effectiveness of Montana’s Building Code.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

• Leadership and people management
  :
  Principles and practices of leadership, vision setting, mentorship, and human resources management, including recruitment, onboarding, training, development, performance management, discipline, and off‑boarding, while building trust and strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective Administration of a Specialized Model Code
  :
  Constant monitoring of stakeholder concerns and needs and balancing those with the expectations set in law and rule to provide a code that is effective for Montana’s unique housing, business development and environmental needs. Ensure that administration aligns with department, division and bureau objectives.
• State regulation and rule making
  :
  Knowledge of applicable state regulation and rules governing division programs, as well as legislative and…