Salary: See Position Description
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Job Number: 2000-1222
Closing: Continuous

Learn more and apply today at Skagit County’s Government Jobs page.

Job Desciption:

Administers and supervises the building, permitting, and fire marshal divisions of the Planning & Development Services department under the direction of the director.

  • Salary upon hire is $41.48 to $44.46 per hour (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.
  • Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $55.17/hr.). The Building Official is Range 30 of the General salary schedule.

Essential Functions:

  • Manages the manner and method of issuing building permits and other applicable permitted activity. Directs staff to explain, interpret, plan review and inspect all applicable codes to architects, engineers, building contractors, property owners and other interested persons. Provides for ongoing educational opportunities.
  • Administers and ensures enforcement of the provisions of the building, plumbing, mechanical, codes as well as state and federally mandated barrier-free, energy, flood and manufactured building regulations.
  • Assists in the preparation of the Department’s annual budget and monitors monthly revenue and expenditure reports.  Projects revenue and expenses for the Development Services division of the Department.
  • Participates in Department administration as member of Department executive management team.   Includes primary responsibility for the development and project management of project time tracking system and a fee schedule for the permitting divisions of the Department.
  • When directed, interacts on behalf of the county with applicable state and federal agencies related to all phases of building code enforcement. Works with architects, engineers, contractors or other appropriate individuals to assure compliance. Makes inspections to resolve conflicts, provide back up for inspection and plan review staff and ensure compliance with established public safety standards and general workmanship.
  • Resolves complex building inspection problems. Assures that citizen complaints relating to any building activity are investigated and resolved. Serves as executive secretary to the Building Code Board of Appeals on matters related to building code enforcement and interpretation.
  • Serves as the County Fire Code Official in charge of administration of the International Fire Code.
  • Serves as the County Floodplain Manager. Manages program to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) requirements under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Prepares reports and documentation for participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) program and in response to Community Assistance Visits (CAV).
  • Develops, coordinates and executes policies and methods relating to building plans examination for building detail. Inspects for compliance and consistency in administration and enforcement. Prepares reports and charts of departmental activities.

Supervisory:

  • Supervises, evaluates, monitors, and assigns work to division staff.
  • Manages the, plans examiners, and building inspectors who review and inspect for all building codes.
  • Manages the code compliance division. Directs code compliance officers on complaint response, investigations, and interaction with other departments.
  • Manges the stormwater division who review for compliance with the stormwater manual and the county’s NPDES permit.
  • Manages the Fire Marshal division for prioritization of workload, fire investigations, burn complaints, interaction with fire districts, neighboring jurisdictions under interlocal agreement(s), and with Northwest Clean Air Agency.

Other Job Functions:

  • Performs plan review on all structures re: structural, fire, safety, energy, mechanical, plumbing and barrier free requirements.
  • Develops public education and outreach programs.
  • Assists with permit counter reception and technical back up duties.
  • Develops, updates, and maintains Department’s emergency response plans.
  • Assists Fire Marshall with Fire Code Review.
  • Performs clerical functions such as data entry and filing.

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 5-8 years increasingly responsible management/administrative experience in the regulation of building construction and/or housing, zoning, and engineering codes. Also requires exposure to or experience with enforcement aspects of local governmental building and land use regulations/ordinances.
  • A record of continuing education, professional development and involvement.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, planning, public  administration, building technology or equivalent skills and experience

Requires Knowledge of:

  • Management/administrative principles, code enforcement work, oral/written communication and conflict resolution, and all related codes and ordinances pertaining to code administration.
  • International Fire Code.
  • National Flood Insurance Program

Requires the Ability to:

  • Represent the Department before the Board of County Commissioners or the public
  • Represent the County at building conferences

Licenses and/or Certifications:

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license.
  • International Code Council (ICC) Certified Building Official (CBO)
  • International Code Council (ICC) Certified Plans Examiner
  • International Code Council (ICC) Certified Building Inspector
  • Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Occasional field work at various job sites.   

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.

About Skagit County:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

 The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.