Chief Building Inspector

job description

under general direction and supervision, administers and enforces the building codes and zoning ordinances of the town of manchester.

• receives applications for all building-related permits, including demolition, electric, plumbing, etc. Reviews or assigns for review permits and submitted documents for conformance to building codes, standards, applicable laws and ordinances. Coordinates building code process with applicable state, federal and local requirements. Supervises subordinates in similar work.
• issues approved permits, required documents and certificates of use or occupancy.
• inspects buildings or structures in the process of construction or alteration, issues orders for corrective actions as required, and assigns and supervises similar work by subordinates.
• makes field inspections and assesses fire damaged, potentially dangerous and hazardous buildings and structures, issues orders for correction of unsafe conditions, and condemns structurally unsafe buildings.
• receives inquiries and complaints of zoning and building code violations and assigns and supervises the work of subordinates in investigating and correcting such violations.
• confers with, advises and interprets all provisions of the building code with the general public, architects, engineers, contractors and any concerned party on matters pertaining to building and zoning codes, applicable laws, regulations and standards and ordinances.
• determines and initiates regulatory or legal action in cases of violations of provisions of building and zoning codes and ordinances.
• prepares an annual budget for activities under his control; selects, trains, and assigns subordinate personnel, and supervises the maintenance of building plans and records.
• performs other duties as assigned.

• considerable knowledge of all provisions of the connecticut building code, laws pertaining to the connecticut building code and the philosophy and principles of zoning regulations and their administration and enforcement.
• considerable knowledge of the methods, technology, materials, light, ventilation, fire safety, material strengths and trade practices used in building construction, alteration or repair.
• knowledge of the principles of engineering and design concepts and practices. Ability to read and interpret building construction plans, drawings and specifications.
• ability to supervise, schedule and assign the work of subordinates. Ability to perform effective field inspections and to enforce orders firmly and in a professional and courteous manner based on the findings of such investigations or inspections.
• ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the subordinates, superiors, professionals and technicians in the building construction field and the general public.
• ability to work under adverse physical conditions resulting from unsafe or uninhabitable structures.

• able to push/pull objects more than 20 lbs. Must be mobile and able to perform simple manipulative skills. Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods and be able to remain in uncomfortable position for long periods. Able to perform gross body coordination and to perform tasks which require hand-eye coordination as well as arm-hand steadiness such as climbing a ladder.
• must be able to see objects far away as in driving; see objects closely as in reading a report; and discriminate colors. Able to hear normal sounds with some background noise as in answering telephone and able to distinguish sound as voice patterns. Able to communicate through human speech.
• able to concentrate on fine detail with some interruption and attend to tasks/functions for 25-45 minutes at a time. Able to understand and relate to specific ideas, generally several at a time, and to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts. Able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
• ability to get along with co-workers, supervisors, customers and the public at large.
• exposure to seasonal conditions in outside weather.

graduation from a standard high school or vocational school, supplemented by training in several building trades and at least five (5) years of experience in construction, construction design or construction supervision including two (2) years of experience supervising inspection work. Licensure as a building official is required by section 29‑261 of the general statutes of connecticut. Must hold valid connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license or commercial driver’s license (cdl) preferred.

the above job description is illustrative. It is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete itemizing of all facets of any job.