Assistant Building Official

Under limited supervision, this position performs supervisory, technical and enforcement duties to ensure enforcement and compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Industrialized Building and Manufactured Home Safety Regulations, Virginia Amusement Device Regulations, and the Flood Proofing and Elevation (FEMA) regulations. Reports to the Building Official.

Provides assistance to the Building Official in the overall management and administration of codes compliance operations; provides assistance with and interprets and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to ensure compliance and consistent inspection practices; reviews and or oversees commercial and residential building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical, and fire protection plans for compliance with codes; reviews site plans to ensure compliance with flood elevation requirements;

prepares and recommends formal building code changes; interprets building codes and clarification of building related issues.

Reviews and approves construction drawings and plans; grants building releases for electricity and certificates of use and occupancy; inspects city-owned properties for violations of the building code; completes appropriate paperwork; performs routine and non-routine inspections of various properties, to include city owned properties, for violations of the building code, to include electrical, plumbing, building and mechanical inspections; addresses building code inquiries, inspection requests and citizen complaints.

Responsible for effective supervision and administration of budget preparation and monitoring of expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities; and establishes systems for ensuring city and departmental personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered.

Provides expert court testimony on building code interpretation and enforcement procedures, as necessary; acts as Secretary to Portsmouth Board of Building Code Appeals; delivers presentations to various committees, civic groups and organizations regarding building codes; serves as a member of various committees, panels, commissions, etc., and provides input based on expertise and observations, as appropriate.

Conducts research, and prepares correspondence and reports to provide information for effective management decisions; conducts informative workshops on code changes for Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Developers and the general public; serves as a technical advisor to city departments, to include the Department of Planning, Public Works, Engineering and the Economic Development.

Resolves non-routine situations; confers with supervisors and Inspectors to discuss new code interpretations, clarifications and changes; provides guidance to Inspectors on appropriate enforcement and provides assistance to Permit Technicians in the issuance of permits.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge of Work:Has considerable knowledge of the extensive inspection practices and procedures of the department. Has considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing building safety and public safety. Has considerable knowledge of the departmental procedures used to perform building inspections. Has considerable knowledge of the principles and procedures associated with the organization, planning and supervision of staff.

Is able to perform building and device inspections and supervise staff…