POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the City Administrator, the Building Official/Zoning Administrator is an exempt position under FLSA. This position performs administrative duties, is responsible for the enforcement of codes and ordinances for building occupancy, zoning and subdivision regulations. Promoting public safety in the City's built environment, and in general, is required. This employee should possess excellent organizational, public relations and communication skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attends meetings and represents the City;
• Consults and advises the City Administrator or department heads on matters relating to department operations and City-wide operations;
• Assists the City Administrator in coordinating department activities with various governmental and outside agencies and other City departments;
• Assists in the development of short-term and long-term goals for department and City-wide;
• Assists in the development of department policies and procedures;
• Enforces and maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances;
• Prepares and completes reports as requested;
• Purchases necessary equipment and supplies for the department;
• Receives and investigates, public inquiries about department operations and follows up to ensure adequate resolution;
• Assists the City Administrator on such matters as researching the type of equipment to purchase or programs to support, prepares bid specifications for equipment, projects and supplies; determines cost alternatives with pros and cons, and provides recommendations to City Administrator; prepares or reviews plans and specifications for supplies, services, and contracts;
• Assists the City Administrator on such matters as coaching, interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems;
• Works to improve customer service;
• Works with other departments to ensure efficient and effective service delivery;
• Reviews plans, specifications and permit applications for construction projects in order to assure compliance with adopted building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire codes as well as zoning restrictions and other related codes and ordinances;
• Enforces City codes and ordinances pertaining to construction and building trades, property maintenance, and the fire and life safety codes;
• Performs on-site inspections of footings, foundations, framing electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems and construction for all necessary code fulfillment;
• Issues permits and licenses as required;
• Administers Zoning, Land Use and Subdivision regulations as well as performing research relative to land use, both historically and for the present;
• Maintains a working relationship with County Public Works office, County Mapping department, the Appraiser's office, Register of Deeds office, the County Clerk's office and other agencies as necessary;
• Assigns addresses and develops street addressing for subdivisions based on a predetermined grid pattern that is compatible with County and/or City mapping files;
• Administers changes to the zoning map;
• Serves as the designated Public Officer for the City;
• Prepares reports and resolutions relative to condemnations, parking, nuisance violations and other issues;
• Works with other departments providing service to the City and to City residents in an effort to expedite customer service requirements;
• Attends preconstruction conferences with architects, engineers, developers and contractors to better ensure compliance with City codes and land use relative to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Comprehensive Parks and Trails Master Plan;\Monitors progress on all new construction and/or renovation projects;
• Monitors progress on all new construction and/or renovation projects;
• Ensures ADAA (Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended) compliance for all construction projects within the City of Baldwin City;
• Administers National Flood Insurance Program as well as City floodplain regulations; Assists with City construction project management when required;
• Determines the need and obtains technical assistance for the review process of major development and construction projects;
• Obtains and prepares information that may be used as evidence, prepares documentation for and testifies relative to legal actions when necessary;
• Maintains data regarding annexations, lot splits, street & alley closures, and dilapidated structures;
• Maintains the City road addressing system, 911 addressing system, storm sewer, water, sewer, lots, parcels, landownership, housing classifications, accident data, and other layers of information.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists all other departments as needed;
• Performs other duties as necessary or assigned;
• Maintains active membership with International Code Council, the Heart of America Chapter of Building Officials, and the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement in order to assist with the further development of expertise within the department.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Bondable.
• Valid driver's license.
• Acquire and maintain one Inspector Certification from the International Codes Council (1.C.C) at time of hire.
• Must be insurable by City's insurance carrier.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Required Experience: Four to five years related experience and/or training. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well at time of employment.

Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.).

POSITION PREFERENCES

Preferred Experience: Six to ten years related experience and/or training. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six to twelve months of employment.

Preferred Education: Associate's degree from a college or technical school; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to carry out duties reliably and predictably.
• Ability to operate computers and software necessary to complete assignments, which may include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, global-positioning equipment, software downloads from systems, etc.
• Ability to operate office equipment such as printers, telephones, fax machines and general office equipment with a high degree of efficiency.
• Ability to read and understand maps, blueprints, plans, specifications, reports and written instructions, and to prepare written documents.
• Ability to solve complex problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to work and get along with others.
• Knowledge of City Code pertaining to nuisance abatement such as construction dust, debris, noise, and inoperable vehicles.
• Knowledge of City Zoning Ordinance, which regulates the use of land, the location, height, and bulk of buildings and structures, and establishes standards for design and development and other zoning processes relating to rezoning, site-plan modifications, design guidelines, and variances.
• Basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, geography and spatial applications.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure inspections.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, and Photoshop.
• Knowledge of the adopted Electrical Code, which covers the installation and maintenance of electrical systems, equipment, and materials within or on buildings or other structures.
• Knowledge of the adopted Mechanical Code, which provides the requirements for the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in buildings and other structures.
• Knowledge of the adopted Plumbing Code, which applies to the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems and materials, and provides requirements and standards for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare.

Problem Solving: Extensive problem-solving is a factor in this position. This employee encounters problems with enforcing all City Codes, and dealing with citizen and contractor concerns and complaints in a tactful and professional manner.

Decision Making: Extensive decision-making is a factor in this position. This employee is responsible for determining whether work performed by contractors, owners, and architects meet code regulations and/or plans and specifications, and if violations exist.

Supervision: This position is under the general supervision of the City Administrator and exercises frequent supervision over subordinate personnel.

Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for City resources and equipment, and participates in the annual budget process.

Personal Relations: Daily contact with other City departments and the general public is expected. Regular contact with developers and contractors will occur.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some adverse working conditions exist within this position. Exposure to weather conditions, hazardous chemicals, electricity, and work in confined spaces may be necessary. Must be able to work flexible hours and attend evening meetings as required.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some manual labor including bending, stooping, crawling, climbing and walking is required daily in this position. This employee must be able to convey and receive detailed or important instructions from other workers and the general public. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, eye and hand coordination, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. Omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the City's needs and requirements of the job change. The State of Kansas and City of Baldwin City are at-will employment jurisdictions. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants/employees with a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended may request accommodation to perform the position's functions. Requests should be directed to the City Administrator.

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