Building Official

ABOUT THE POSITION

NOTE: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. The deadline for the first review of applications is 11:59PM, on Monday, September 29, 2025 . Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. Applicants that submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.

The City of Downey seeks a Building Official (BO) with strong project management skills and a substantial background in building inspection and construction. The City is looking for someone with exceptional interpersonal skills, who enjoys mentoring and leading others and building positive relationships with other City departments, community clients, design professionals, and contractors. The BO will oversee the Building & Safety Division within the Community Development Department, which provides permit issuance, plan review, and building inspection services. The BO supervises permit technicians, plan checker services, and building inspectors. The position plays a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating all Building & Safety Division activities and operations.

The next BO will be an excellent mentor to staff, facilitate professional correspondence with customers, and welcome alternative ideas and solutions. This is a stimulating career opportunity to lead a dynamic team and focus on collaboration and partnership to provide the best possible services to the City. If you have a background in providing excellent customer service, building partnerships, and improving processes and want to foster an innovative workplace, apply today!

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator who is highly responsive with a strong customer service focus and has the emotional intelligence and political savvy to build relationships and manage expectations. The BO will be an experienced leader who builds and mentors staff and is creative and flexible and an excellent problem solver. They are open to new ideas and encourage collaboration among staff. The ideal candidate has exemplary communication skills, especially when responding to customers and interacting with community members. The City is looking for a BO who is able to interpret the code in a way that responds to evolving technologies and market conditions, while ensuring the protection of public health and safety of its constituents. They have experience with innovation, technology, and process improvements and are eager to serve as a visionary leader.

This position is FLSA exempt, non-represented, and serves in an "at-will" capacity. Salary and benefits are established by City Council Resolution for classifications designated as Executive, Mid-Management, Confidential/Exempt.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification. Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administers and enforces building codes and ordinances.
  
• Reviews and evaluates current plan review, building inspection, and permit issuance functions, and anticipates future needs.
  
• Establishes general policies, procedures, and performance standards for all division personnel.
  
• Supervises, directs, and evaluates the performance of staff.
  
• Makes final recommendations on code interpretations and drafts new codes and ordinances.
  
• Reviews requests for use of substitute materials not specifically required by Code.
  
• Represents the Department at Board of Appeals meetings before the legislative body.
  
• Assists in preparing the annual budget and prepares written reports.
  
• Develops and implements training programs to enhance staff’s technical knowledge and interpersonal skills.
  
• Fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages teamwork and problem solving.
  
• Promotes safety programs and safe work practices.
  
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  

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 structural, mechanical, or civil engineering, architecture, construction management or a closely related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.

Experience: six (6) years of full-time experience in building and/or plan review or administration including interpreting and enforcing California building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes and two (2) years at a supervisory level experience is preferred.

Knowledge of: California Building Code/International Building Code, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, disabled access; newly adopted and proposed State codes; principles and practices of administration, budget preparation, and supervision. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; principles and practices of sound business communication, oral and written; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation; principles and practices of public relations and customer service; and elements of effective time management and organizational skills.

Ability to: Communicate effectively orally and in writing; work with members of the public, elected and appointed officials, and business persons; deal with stressful situations and solve complex problems; supervise and coordinate technical research required in the planning process; present the technical information clearly and concisely to lay groups and the general public, orally and in writing; interpret and apply a variety of technical and complex City, County, State and Federal regulations, policies and guidelines; adapt to changing priorities; analyze and supervise the systematic compilation of technical and statistical information and prepare technical reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the work; and identify, coordinate and resolve a wide variety of interests consistent with applicable codes and City policies.
License/Certification:

• A valid California Class C Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and through employment is required.
• Possession and maintenance of a Building Official certification (C.B.O) issued by the International Code Council (ICC).
• Possession and maintenance of Certification as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) issued by the Division of the CA State Architect is highly desirable.
• Plans Examiner and Combination Inspection certifications issued by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) are highly desirable.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

Selection Process: Selection/Testing Process:

All applications and supplemental information will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of information submitted at the time of filing to determine the level and scope of the candidate's preparation for the position. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification. Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" or attaching a resume is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Applicants who most closely match the desired qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of the following components:

An appraisal examination weighted 100%. The appraisal examination may consist of performance testing and an oral interview to assess the applicant's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance of the need for accommodation.

To view the benefit summary for this positionplease click HERE.

The City of Downey is proudly committed to continuously improving the quality of life for the Downey community by providing excellent service in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner.Our values includeIntegrity, Commitment, Respect, Teamwork, Engagement, Passion, and Excellence.

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• City of Downey

• 562-904-7292

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