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Portage County – Building Department Director

https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=6554536

JOB OBJECTIVES: Incumbent is responsible for directing the overall operations of the department, including but not limited to the enforcement process of the State of Ohio building and all related codes; as well as the adopted Floodplain Regulations of the County.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Confer with and advise members of the general public, property owners, developers, and others regarding building and construction policies, procedures and standards; provide and explain requirements of the State building and related codes and ordinances; perform preliminary plan review.
  • Receive calls and answer questions about all permits and code requirements, direct inquiries as necessary.
  • Conduct preliminary and formal review of all residential plans and specifications for new construction, alterations, and additions; ensure compliance with applicable building codes.
  • Carry out supervisor responsibilities in accordance with county’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, and directing work, performance appraisal, discipline, addressing complaints and resolving problems, provide interpretation of County policies, procedures, rules, and laws.
  • Assist in preparing information and reports including conducting surveys of neighboring jurisdictions.
  • Handle questions regarding applications and permitting process from persons at permit counter.
  • Responsible for preparation of Building Department monthly reports.
  • Review code changes and prepare resolutions for adoption by the Board of Commissioners.
  • Respond to complaints and conduct investigations to determine validity.
  • Assist and contribute to budget process; monitor expenses within budget.
  • Review Floodplain Development permits.
  • Provide building-related inspections when necessary.
  • Keep current on developments and analyze trends in building codes, laws, plans examinations and inspections through websites, books, journals, conferences, and workshops, and apply new knowledge to the job.
  • Review, comment, approve or disapprove Regional Planning Commission development proposals.
  • Issue Adjudication Orders as defined within the Ohio Building Codes and the Ohio Revised Code, for both Commercial and residential Projects and work with the County Prosecutor’s Office as necessary to gain compliance directly and/or through the Portage County Courts.
  • Prepare documentation for the County and State Appeals Boards, attend hearings, and testify as required.
  • Coordinator of the County Disaster Damage Assessment Team.
  • Attend meetings and conferences as required.
  • Perform related duties as required.
  • Operate a motor vehicle as needed to perform the essential functions.
  • Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Perform related other job functions as needed.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Equipment: Incumbent operates telephone, computer, calculator, field testing and measuring devices, copier, and fax machine.

Critical Skills/Expertise:

  • Knowledge of local and state laws, rules and regulations and enforcement requirements relating to building code enforcement, with the ability to explain to private and business individuals.
  • Knowledge of the construction process including standards, methods, materials, and equipment.
  • Knowledge of building construction inspection and enforcement principles and techniques.
  • Knowledge of basic plan review principles, and the fundamentals of the plan submittal and permitting process.
  • Knowledge of the principles of mathematics and the ability to calculate figures and amounts, such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
  • Knowledge of modern office methods, procedures and equipment including use of a computer.
  • Knowledge of the principles and procedures of record keeping.
  • Ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications, interpret technical building codes, determine their applicability to plans under review and determine compliance with various codes.
  • Ability to read maps, plats and other diagrams associated with construction.
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical journals, reports, and legal documents.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Ability to maintain courteous, professional, and effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization, builders, contractors, and the general public.
  • Ability to communicate information and to articulate problems or challenges to be resolved in a clear, concise, courteous, nondiscriminatory, and professional manner, and be able to provide clarification as necessary.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective customer relations in a professional manner without compromising the regulatory function of the building codes and inspection activities.

Job Standards: High school diploma or G.E.D., at least 5 years of experience in non-residential building design and construction for buildings or structures within the scope of group regulated by rules of the board while registered in Ohio registration as an architect or professional engineer. Must possess valid Building Official, Residential Building Official and Residential Plans Examiner Certifications issued by the State of Ohio, Board of Building Standards. A valid Building Inspector and/or Electric Safety Inspector certification issued by the Ohio Board of Building Standards is preferred but not required. Ohio Board of Building Standards certification as Master Plans Examiner is preferred but not required. Must possess a valid Ohio driver license and maintain continuing eligibility under the existing County driver eligibility standards.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Work involves moderately complex, relatively standardized tasks, processes and operations following established laws and regulations but often faces conflict between the owners, builders, and the public whose interests and interpretations vary. The task of conflict resolution often requires skills of high degree.

RESPONSIBILITY

Oversees the overall operation of the building department. Incumbent received administrative and technical interpretation of the Ohio Basic Building Code from the Ohio Board of Building Standards and received interpretation and advice on the Ohio Revised Code from the County Prosecutor’s Office. Errors in work would result in hazardous or unsafe construction or environment. Requires responsibility for preparing, checking, and reviewing important, detailed and/or complex operational, financial, personnel, technical or related records.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Incumbent has contact with co-workers, building owners, contractors, homeowners, and the public. The contacts are not established on a routine basis and are unstructured. These contacts involve providing technical advice, resolving code compliance problems, and determining how compliance can be achieved. May occasionally encounter hostile or aggressive behavior when asked to respond to a complaint. Communication is to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements: Incumbent performs light work which may require lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds occasionally. Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Physical Activity: Incumbent is required to perform the following physical activities: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, feeling, grasping, talking, listening, driving and repetitive motions.

Visual Activity: Incumbent performs work where the seeing job is close to the eyes and beyond arm’s reach.

Job Location: Incumbent works inside and occasionally outside with exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees and above 100 degrees for periods of more than an hour. The work involves more frequent exposure to moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions. Employees are on occasion required to use protective devices.