Building Official

Overview

We are looking for expert-level leadership in the administration of municipal building safety programs. As the designated Building Official
, you will serve as the primary technical authority, ensuring all construction within the jurisdiction complies with ORS Chapter 455
, Oregon Administrative Rules (
OAR 918
), and local municipal ordinances.

You will be responsible for the definitive interpretation and enforcement of the Oregon Statewide Specialty Codes
. We require a candidate with "mastery-level" understanding of:

• Structural & Residential: OSSC (Commercial/Multi-family) and ORSC (1-2 Family Dwellings).
• Systems & Life Safety: Comprehensive oversight of Mechanical (OMSC), Plumbing (OPSC), Electrical (OESC), and Fire (OFC) codes.
• Sustainability & Efficiency: Enforcement of the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (
  OEESC
  ) and the Oregon Reach Code (where applicable).
• Accessibility: Strict application of Chapter 11 and ICC A117.1 standards to ensure ADA and state compliance.
• Specialty Standards: Including the Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Code and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) requirements.

1. Departmental Administration (AHJ Status)

• Execute the duties of the Building Official under delegated authority from the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD).
• Maintain the City’s Operating Guide and ensure compliance with OAR 918-020
  .
• Coordinate BCD Program Audits and manage state-mandated reporting/surcharge collections.

2. Plan Review & Permit Lifecycle

• Direct the review of complex construction documents to ensure compliance before permit issuance.
• Approve or deny Alternate Methods & Materials (AM&M) based on technical merit and engineering data.
• Oversee the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and Temporary COs.

3. Field Inspection & Enforcement

• Supervise a team of inspectors (in-house or 3rd party) to ensure field consistency.
• Issue Stop Work Orders
  , Correction Notices
  , and Unsafe Building determinations.
• Manage the abatement of dangerous buildings and coordinate legal referrals for non-compliance.

4. Public & Professional Liaison

• Provide formal, written Code Interpretations to developers, architects, and engineers.
• Serve as the technical lead during Building Code Board of Appeals hearings.
• Represent the Building Department in City Council meetings and inter-agency coordination (Fire, Planning, Public Works).

• Certification: Current Oregon Building Official (OBO) certification is mandatory.
• Knowledge Base: Deep familiarity with Oregon’s unique statewide-reach code structure (preemption of local codes).
• Soft Skills: Ability to deliver firm, code-based decisions with professional diplomacy and transparency.

We provide a structured, professional environment where you can apply your technical expertise to help Oregon communities grow safely. This role offers the complexity of high-level code work with the autonomy of a leadership position.

Salary - 85/hr