Chief Building Official - PBES

Napa County is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.

The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities. As an organization, Napa County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values:
Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation.

The Department of Planning, Building, & Environmental Services (PBES) serves our community by enforcing a fair, efficient, and open process that balances the diverse needs of agriculture, the economy, health and safety, and the environment. As a member of PBES you will work alongside employees from the following PBES Divisions:
Building, Code Enforcement, Engineering, Environmental Health, Natural Resources, Parks, Planning, and Staff Services.

Napa County is actively seeking its next Chief Building Official. This position is being posted to fill a future vacancy. The selected candidate will begin work in January 2027. The successful candidate will be eligible to receive a $15,000 signing bonus depending upon the selected candidate’s qualifications.

The Chief Building Official provides strategic and operational leadership for the County’s Building Inspection Division within the Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Department. The position oversees a comprehensive building permitting and inspection program, including plan review, permit issuance, inspections, code interpretation and compliance, application intake, and customer service.

The Chief Building Official leads a professional team, establishes and implements division goals, processes, and policies, manages resources and budgets, and collaborates with internal departments, regulatory agencies, design professionals, contractors, property owners, and the community. The position provides leadership in establishing clear expectations for service, accountability, consistency, professionalism, and effective communication across the division.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who brings strong technical knowledge and sound judgment, coupled with a customer-focused, solutions-oriented approach to public service. This leader will be comfortable navigating complex regulatory and permitting frameworks while helping customers understand requirements, identifying practical solutions, and balancing regulatory compliance with efficient and responsive service delivery.

The Chief Building Official will champion continuous improvement and innovation, actively looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and the overall customer experience. The successful candidate will be open to new ideas and emerging technologies, use data and technology to improve processes and decision-making, and be willing to challenge the status quo when there are better ways to deliver services.

They will foster a culture in which employees are encouraged to identify problems, develop solutions, and contribute to meaningful improvements in how the division operates.

The role offers an opportunity to shape the future of how the County delivers building services, with an emphasis on clear and…