HomeMy WebLinkAbout13. Approve the Addition of Building Official Position for FY 15-16 BudgetItem No.
TO: MAYOR MARQUEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIIAPPROVED BY
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER CM MANAGER
BY: Irma Youssefieh, Director of Human Resourc
DATE: November 24, 2015 4
SUBJECT: ADDITION OF BUILDING OFFICIAL TO FISCAL YEAR 2015 -16 BUDGET
That the City approve the position of Building Official be added to the FY 2015 -16 Table
of Organization for the Community Development Department,
DISCUSSION
The exempt mid - management position of Building Official has been vacant since the
retirement of a long term incumbent in 2007 and was budgeted, but not filled until FY
2012 -13 when staffing reductions were made. The position was eliminated from the
Community Development Department's budget.
To date, the function of overseeing the City's building and safety activities have been
performed by a contract Building Official with oversight of the function and City full -time
personnel directly supervised by a full -time Senior Planner,
The Director of Community Development has reviewed the functional limitations
surrounding the current staffing of the Building & Safety Division and determines that
adding a full -time mid - management Building Official position to oversee the Division is
practical and in the best interests of operational efficiency. A regular full -time "City"
position would replace the contract Building Official position.
Staff has work with the Department Director to update the existing class specification
(attached) resulting in non - substantive changes. The established pay range for the
Building Official position is $7,844.42- $9,570.42 per month. The position of Building
Official is proposed to remain as a mid - management position, exempt from the
classified service and serves in an "at will" capacity. Salary and fringe benefits shall be
designated per Resolution No. 14 -7513.
The full -time position of Building Official is proposed to be funded by existing contract
funds allocated to building and safety contract personnel. When combined, these
changes would basically be cost neutral to the City until such time as the incumbent of
the Building Official position receives salary increases.
Fiscal Impact
There will be no additional financial burden to the City's General Fund. The regular full -
time position replaces the existing contract Building Official position. Community
Development Department Account Number 10 -4- 5210 -0700 will continue to be used to
record the labor costs of this position.
Attachment: Classification Specification — Building Official
CITY OF DOWNEY
CLASS SPECIFICATION
Date Adopted: November 24, 2015
Employment Status: Regular Full -Time
Unit Representation: Non - Represented, Middle Management
FLSA Status: Exempt
BUILDING OFFICIAL
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Under general direction, plans, organizes, and coordinates the operations and activities
of building inspection, plan checking, and permit processing for residential, commercial,
and industrial construction; serves as the City's Building Official coordinates and
administers professional service contracts with outside service providers; ensures safe
work practices, work quality, and accuracy; serves as a technical resource for assigned
staff and the Director of Community Development; performs other related duties as
required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work
performed by persons assigned to this classification.
Plans, organizes, performs, and coordinates the operations and activities of staff
responsible for building inspection, plan checking, and permit processing, performs plan
checking and issues permits at the counter; directs, coordinates, reviews, and
participates in the work of professional and technical employees to ensure that building
codes are properly enforced with uniformity, equity, and safety; provides interpretation
and decisions on applicable codes, rules, regulations, and technical problems of
enforcement; monitors plan check flow, coordinates activities with other divisions, City
departments, outside agencies, and organizations.
Develops policies and procedures; recommends programs, projects, and work
assignments to the Community Development Director; monitors work activities to
ensure safe work practices, work quality, and accuracy; develops and maintains short
and long -range program plans for assigned areas; ensures compliance with applicable
rules, policies, and procedures.
Establishes performance goals for staff and individual employees; participates in the
selection of assigned staff; assumes responsibility for motivating and evaluating
assigned personnel; provides necessary training; initiates disciplinary procedures as
appropriate.
Provides technical and professional advice; prepares and coordinates reports and
presentations on current building issues for City Council, community groups and
regulatory agencies; recommends codes and processes for building inspection;
participates in professional organizations; maintains statistics and reports on
construction activity.
Oversees contract services, including plan check and building inspection; performs plan
checking; works at the counter and issues permits; administers provisions and
specifications of the division's contracts; prepares technical and /or analytical reports on
operations as necessary; participates in budget preparation, administers, and monitors
approved budgets; prepares program cost estimates; orders supplies, tools, and
materials, reviews and monitors all purchase orders, participates in the equipment
procurement process, monitors and controls supplies, and equipment.
Organizes, attends, and serves the City's interests at public, community, and special
interest meetings, as well as civic and legislative events, including citation review
hearings; responds to the most complex and difficult inquiries and requests for
information, provides information and resolves issues and complaints; represents the
unit to other divisions, other agencies, civic groups, and the public; establishes and
maintains a customer service orientation within the program.
Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, office support,
and contract staff.
Serves as a resource for department personnel, City staff, other organizations and the
public; coordinates pertinent information, resources and work teams necessary to
support a positive, and productive environment.
Responds to the more difficult questions and concerns from the general public,
contractors, vendors, and outside agencies, provides information as is appropriate and
resolves public service or operational complaints; establishes and maintains a customer
service orientation within the division.
Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community
organizations, State /local agencies, City management and staff, and the public.
May be exposed to confidential and privileged information during the course of duties,
which should be maintained as such.
Performs other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the
required skills, knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the
skills, knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major
coursework in Civil or Structural Engineering, Architecture or a related field.
Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in a building services
department of which includes two (2) years at a supervisory level. Municipal experience
preferred.
Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and methods used in various building construction
areas, including structural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical, principles and
practices of program and budget development, administration, and evaluation; methods
and techniques of supervision, training, and motivation, applicable Federal, State, and
local laws, codes, and regulations, including laws, ordinances, and codes related to
building construction and zoning; methods and techniques of scheduling work
assignments, standard office procedures, practices, and equipment, modern office
equipment, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for
record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and
grammar, occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to: Supervise and direct the operations and activities of the Building Inspection
Division; read and interpret complex plans and specifications; maintain I.C.C.
certification through continuing education programs; develop and administer a budget;
supervise and participate in the establishment of division and /or department goals,
objectives, and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels; negotiate
and oversee contracts; coordinate and conduct training programs for staff, respond to
issues and concerns from the community; plan, organize, train, evaluate, and direct
work of assigned staff; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and
regulations; read, interpret, and record data accurately; organize, prioritize, and follow
up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound
decisions within established guidelines; respond to issues and concerns from
contractors, homeowner, and the community, analyze a complex issue, and develop
and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe
safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both
orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
License /Certification: Due to the performance of field duties which will require
operation of a motor vehicle, a valid California Class C Driver's License and an
acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and through employment is
required.
Possession of a Building Official certification issued by the Council of American Building
Officials or the International Code Council (CC).
California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent
appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice
Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving
record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An
employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City
Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.
Physical Tasks, Abilities, and Environmental Conditions: Work is performed in an
office and outdoor environments. Office environment duties and responsibilities involve
sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, and include
reaching above and below shoulder level, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and
twisting at the waist to perform desk work, file maintenance, and finger dexterity to
operate general office equipment, including the operation of a personal computer and
keyboard for prolonged or intermittent periods of time; which requires finger and wrist
dexterity and the ability to withstand exposure to vibration, pitch and glare from the
computer. Employee must be able to safely lift and carry books, files and reports
weighing up to 25 pounds.
Outdoor environment may involve exposure to loud noise levels, perform on -site field
inspections including exertion of a moderate amount of physical effort to stoop, crouch,
climb and lift in performance of assigned duties, ability to work around building materials
in a safe manner, may be subject to uncomfortable working conditions including
exposure to dust, noise, heat or cold; must be able to perceive color, shapes, and
forms; lift up to 25 pounds; requires sufficient hand /eye coordination to perform semi-
skilled repetitive movements, such as typing on a personal computer and operation of a
motor vehicle.