Chief Building Inspector

Job Description

Under general direction, the Chief Building Inspector manages and administers the assigned division(s), establishes inspection and operational procedures, interprets and explains codes, represents the department in front of boards and commissions, reviews and resolves complaints, performs building and structural inspections as necessary, and coordinates with other departments as a response team in the event of emergencies and disasters.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Manages/administers assigned division(s) by planning, directing, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff who provide information regarding inspection services to the public, review plans and permits, and perform inspections in connection with the construction and modification of buildings or other structures, and of buildings under investigation for code violations in order to ensure that department policies and procedures are adhered to and the applicable codes, ordinances, and laws are properly enforced. At the Department of Building Inspection, this includes the supervision of Senior Building Inspectors who supervise the daily operations of the Building Inspectors. Prepares the division's budget by analyzing operational data and determining the needs of the division(s).

2. Interprets and explains codes, related laws and ordinances which govern building construction in the City & County of San Francisco such as the building code, housing code, mechanical code, state building standards, Title 24 accessibility requirements and energy conservation standards, appeal procedures, abatement process and permit processing to staff and others including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public to ensure that the information concerning the department is disseminated accurately. At the Port, this includes marine terminal construction standards.

3. Represents the department at meetings, hearings, and in court by preparing evidence and/or appearing before such bodies as the Board of Supervisors, Building Inspection Commission, judicial committees, Access Appeals Commission, Unreinforced Masonry Building Appeals Board, Board of Permit Appeals, Abatement Appeals Board, and Board of Examiners in order to testify or present information regarding code violation cases and other matters concerning their respective division(s). This includes acting as the hearing officer on behalf of the Director.

4. Directs the preparation and maintenance of records and reports on abatement appeals board cases, statistical analyses, inspection activities, work orders, contracts, specifications, plans, cost estimates, emergency orders, and operational activities of the respective division(s) by assigning, reviewing, and revising when necessary, to ensure that such work is correct, complete, and in conformance with departmental policies and procedures.

5. Reviews complaints regarding inspection services, plan reviews, code interpretations, and/or code violations from property owners, port tenants, general public, other city departments, and various civic groups by researching pertinent codes, ordinances, laws and conducting investigations, taking appropriate actions, and informing complainant of findings in order to clarify and resolve problems.

6. Establishes inspection and operational procedures for the assigned division by reviewing existing policies and procedures and when necessary, revising or creating new procedures in order to effectively maximize staff and resources and/or conform to current laws, regulations, ordinances and codes regulating the construction and modification of buildings and other structures.

7. Reviews current codes, administrative bulletins and code rulings in order to inform staff of revisions and/or additions, and to provide management with input regarding the feasibility of such revisions or additions on current work processes and, if necessary, prepares recommendations for revisions or additions.

8. Oversees and performs building and other structural inspections as required by making field visits and checking for conformance to approved plans and specifications, and compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and laws. This includes coordinating with other departments as a response team in the event of emergencies and disasters such as fire, earthquake, explosions, and landslides. The Chief Building Inspector at the Port also performs pier inspections in a boat; and performs inspections in areas where there is known hazardous waste.