Hybrid BUILDING OFFICIAL bei City of El Cerrito, CA

About the Department

The Building Official Role
The City is looking to fill one (1) vacancy as a Building Official, in the Community Development Department.  The Building Official reports to and works closely with the Community Development Director and serves as a key member of the Department's management team. This position collaborates with Community Development staff and across departments. The Building Official directly supervises permit technicians, plan checkers, and building inspectors (both in-house and contract staff). The position plays a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating all Building Division activities and operations. Key responsibilities include: managing all functions of the Building Division; overseeing the issuance of structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits and inspections; supporting administrative functions such as fee development, regulation review and reporting; ensuring compliance with state and local regulations; and, leading, monitoring and evaluating day to day operations. This role requires strong leadership and supervisory skills, as well as a service-oriented mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The Ideal Candidate
The City of El Cerrito seeks a local government professional with a strong "service-first" mindset and a proactive, collaborative approach. The ideal Building Official will be a technically competent individual who is self-motivated, and is capable of working both independently and as a part of a team. Exceptional communication skills and an empathetic, solutions-oriented attitude are essential – especially when handling customer concerns and resolving issues.

The City and the Director are seeking a capable and forward-thinking leader who is enthusiastic about providing training, coaching, and mentoring, and who can proactively identify and manage supervisory challenges. The ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to managing the Division to provide high quality, innovative, and professional services, while continuously seeking opportunities for improvement when needed. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, comfort with new technologies, and a solid understanding of budgeting. This position is ideal for an individual who is flexible, confident, curious, open-minded and solutions-oriented, and who thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be personable, approachable, and able to effectively engage with residents, contractors and staff. They will bring a calm, even-keeled demeanor and thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professionalism and composure.

• The City offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes fully paid health/dental premiums for employees and dependents (up to the Kaiser family rate); cash in lieu available at $350 per month 
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
• CalPERS Retirement: 2.7% at 55 for Classic members & 2% at 62 for PEPRA members; formula integrated with Social Security 
• Holiday Pay, Birthday and Floating Holiday Pay
• Management Administrative Leave: Up to 75 hours per fiscal year (pro-rated for new hires) 
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to the maximum of $3,500/fiscal year for work related studies
• Training/Conference Opportunities
• Deferred Comp Plan Options
• Bilingual Pay
• Possible Remote Work options 
• Discounts on Recreation Programs
• Access to the Wellness Programs
• EAP Program

• You are excited to manage and lead a dynamic team!
• You are adaptable, flexible, patient and offer solutions in challenging situations.
• You are able to successfully work in partnership with customers, citywide departments, and outside agencies.
• You enjoy analyzing and resolving complex challenges and can problem-solve and think "outside the box" to achieve results.
• You are detail-oriented and organized to keep track of multiple and varying projects.
• You enjoy contributing to a positive work environment that fosters motivation, collaboration, coaching, and engagement of all levels of staff.

If you are looking for a rewarding place to work with a dynamic and collaborative City team and an opportunity to grow professionally, this is the position for you!

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, directs, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Building Division, including supervising staff, providing the services of plan check, permitting, building inspection, and neighborhood preservation, as well as development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the division; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures. 
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, directs the implementation of improvements;  especially technology enhancements to the City’s permitting software.
• Manages assigned personnel in the division, such as staff training; performance management, delegating tasks, evaluating, coaching and providing mentorship.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares contract specifications and scopes of work; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; establishes schedule and performance criteria; administers contracts, supervises the work of contractors, and ensures compliance with City service quality and regulatory requirements; approves invoices within signature authority.
• Manages and participates in the enforcement of state and local ordinances and codes related to commercial, residential, and multi-use sites through building inspection, permit issuance, plan check, and related code enforcement activities; oversees the plan review and design of documents for all projects submitted to the City for plan check.
• Assists with the most complex field inspections; investigates alleged violations of the City’s Municipal Code and related policies; negotiates and approves alternative means and approvals; resolves codes and legal requirement interpretation issues. 
• Examines, evaluates, and approves building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical installations or alterations of buildings.
• Manages and coordinates fire and life safety system permitting, inspection, and plan check in cooperation with the Fire Department.
• Issues condemnation and corrective notices, certificates of occupancy, stop work orders, citations, and other various required notices.
• Manages Transfer Tax Rebate program by reviewing submitted documents to ensure the applicant meets required qualifications to receive a rebate.
• Prepares and presents various staff and agenda reports, necessary correspondence to a variety of audiences.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in plan check, permitting, building inspection, and neighborhood preservation; monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; assists in the implementation of changes after approval. 
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and concerns in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and polices that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required; ensures City policies and regulations are compliant with State law.
• Reviews fees to ensure cost recovery and competitiveness and annually participates in the budget process and updates to the Master Fee schedule.
• Collaborates with internal departments and a variety of external agencies, professionals, and contractors throughout the project development process.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Candidates with permit counter, inspection, customer service experience, strong supervisory skills, and local government experience are encouraged to apply. The minimum qualifications include any combination of experience and training which includes an associate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college with major coursework in structural, mechanical, or civil engineering, architecture, construction management or a closely related field. A higher degree of education such as a bachelor's or master's degree is desirable. An ideal candidate will have five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspection and/or plan review or administration including interpreting and enforcing California building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes, and two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience. 

This role requires possession of, or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of appointment a Building Official Certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC) or Council of American Building Officials (CABO), to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge of (examples):

• Organization, leadership, and management principles and practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision and management, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, fostering team building, employee discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles of budget and contract development and administration. 
• Modern and complex principles and practices of building inspection, permit issuance, plan check, and neighborhood preservation programs, practices, and techniques.
• Residential, commercial, and industrial construction, structural design, engineering mathematics principles, practices, materials, and equipment. 
• Occupational hazards and safety standards related to assigned work, including driving rules and practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.

• Select and manage staff, provide training/development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner; provide administrative, management, and professional leadership to the Building Division.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Assist in preparing and administering large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner. 
• Respond to and investigate inquiries and concerns and prepare an appropriate response; effectively resolve conflict within assigned area of responsibility; negotiate and resolve complex issues. 
• Manage the daily functions, programs, projects, and activities of the division, including plan check, permitting, building inspection, and neighborhood preservation.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.

Other Qualifications

Please view the full recruitment brochure here. Do not miss this great opportunity! Those interested in applying to this role, please submit your application on Governmentjobs.com. Please include a resume, a cover letter of interest, three letters of recommendation and any other relevant certificates/information. The City of El Cerrito is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Filing Deadline....................................................................................September 14, 2025
• Panel Interview ...........................................Tentatively the week of October 13, 2025
• Finalist(s) Interview ...................................Tentatively the week of October 20, 2025