Human Resources

Job Location

County of Chelan Community Development 316 Washington Street, #302 Wenatchee, WA 98801

Description

First review date: January 9, 2026

Salary: NB28 Steps 2-4 $8,389.33 - $9,205.66 Longevity Steps 5-8 $9,644.67 - $11,097.89

The position includes a state retirement system, with a deferred comp program available. Health insurance package includes Medical, Dental, and county contributions to a personal health savings account. Includes up to 11 paid holidays and additional floating holidays per collective bargaining agreement. Along with monthly accrued vacation and sick leave. 

SUMMARY

The duty of the Building Official is to ensure the safety of all buildings and structures in the County of Chelan through administration and enforcement of codes and ordinances regarding new construction, remodeling, and abatement of dangerous buildings.

This position supervises and coordinates operation of the Building section of the department internally and with other divisions of the department in order to facilitate building construction of residential/commercial structures, and specialized assistance with building inspections to ensure the County follows statutory requirements. This is a working supervisor position responsible for the timely and efficient coordination, review, and processing of various building/construction plans and field inspections. The Building Official assists the public with permit and code enforcement related questions, and formal code interpretation questions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties, which are representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this classification:

• Assisting in preparing and generating annual department budget.
• Managing and performing inspections of residential and commercial buildings in the process of construction, alteration or repair for compliance with applicable code requirements; application of safe construction practices; and other regulations or ordinances relating to safety, health and welfare of the public.
• Corresponding with architects, engineers, developers and contractors regarding proposed and current construction.
• Consulting and advising the department Director and various government agencies.
• Creating resolutions concerning the enforcement of all construction codes and building life safety codes.
• Supervising staff of employees in a variety of functional areas in the Building Division of the Community Development Department.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Reviewing building plans for code compliance, and managing the processing of building permits including reviewing plans, inspecting projects and issuing certificates of occupancy in a timely manner.
• Assisting in creating and administering personnel policy for hiring and termination, vacation, sick, and compensatory time, and administering of disciplinary actions of building division staff.
• Inspecting, approving, disapproving, writing correction notices, issuing stop work notices and performing other functions to ensure that each aspect of construction, alteration or repair complies with applicable codes, regulations and approved building plans.
• Advising public media on emergencies; May serve the County in a support role in the event of an emergency or disaster; requires knowledge of disaster plan and response procedures.
• Managing permits.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises multiple employees in a variety of functional areas in the Building division within the Community Development department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this division. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include assisting in interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities required of a building code compliance program.
• Current building construction, building codes and the State Building code process, construction methods, standards, alternate designs and field inspection methods and techniques. Federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and administrative procedures related to position.
• Advanced understanding of various types of construction, building structural systems and concepts of engineering design, construction methods, standards, alternate designs and field inspection procedures.
• Principles of customer service and public relations.
• Research methods for report production and presentation.  
• Structure, organization and inter-relationships of county departments, agencies and related governmental agencies and offices affecting assigned functions.
• Analyzing and interpreting construction plans and specifications.
• Planning and organizing work; meeting schedules and timelines.
• Supervising, leading, coaching and using best management practices to improve staff performance; delegating tasks and workload assignments.

Skills in:

• Oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly and concisely to the public, elected officials, and stakeholders with tact and confidence.
• Highly proficient public relations and interpersonal communications

• Computer and equipment operations necessary to the functions of the position including the use of a variety of software programs such as Windows, MS Office (inclusive of Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), and ESRI GIS viewing products.  

• Being flexible and adaptable to changing priorities

Ability to:

• Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.

• Conduct effective and accurate field inspections. Operating and utilizing various survey equipment and tools; driving a vehicle as needed to various sites.

• Organize and prioritize workload while working on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Resolve issues involving several variables in standardized situations while being mindful of both situation details and big picture.
• Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Read and understand maps, architectural plans, and ability to use architect’s and engineer’s scales and perform mathematical calculations

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associates degree or equivalent specializing in building and construction or similar field; and 5 years of building and/or construction and management experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Effectively communicates with customers and other County employees. Positively represents the County, maintaining the trust County residents have placed in each of us

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, square footages, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Minimum: Certified as a building inspector and plans examiner and ability to become certified as Building Official through International Code Council (ICC) or Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) within 6 months of hire.

Preferred: Certified as Building Official through International Code Council (ICC) or Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO)

Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer, preparing written documents, attending meetings and driving a passenger vehicle.
• Climbing stairs in County offices and other agency buildings
• Ability to perform site visits on varied terrain and conditions required
• Lifting (up to 40 pounds waist high), bending, stooping and twisting
• Sight and hearing of acceptable standards

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is mostly performed independently but does include small and large group settings.
• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors to include outside inspections subjecting this position to a variety of weather and driving conditions.
• Demands of managing multiple activities, addressing citizen needs and meeting established timeframes for work performance may cause stressful situations.
• Work under pressures and under high liability exposure.
• Position requires appropriate attire and image, projecting a professional attitude.
• Out-of-town travel and a non-traditional work schedule may be required, at the sole discretion of the County.
• Conditions at construction sites may include being exposed to falling objects, loose footing, and construction equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to noisy.

Additional Information

PDF application available here.