Bldg OfficialBuilding Official
City of Otsego
Title of Class: Building Official
Revised Date: June 1, 2009
FLSA: Exempt when supervision of two or more (FTE) employees is required
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: Performs administrative, supervisory and skilled inspection work
planning and directing the Building Safety Department including administering and enforcing the
Minnesota State Building Code, MPCA 7080, City zoning and rental ordinances and other related
federal, state and City ordinances and regulations; performs related duties as required.
Supervision Received: Works under the administrative supervision of the City Administrator.
Supervision Exercised: Exercises general and technical supervision over department staff.
TYPICAL DUTIES PERFORMED
The listed examples may not include all duties performed by all positions in this class.
*Administers the City's building, plumbing, and mechanical code enforcement program including
plan review, permit issuance, inspection, and related responsibilities.
*Enforces City ordinances related to sub -soil treatment systems and rental properties and assists in
enforcing land -use and nuisance ordinances.
*Performs on-site inspections for building construction and remodeling work and land use permits to
ensure code compliance.
*Inspects structures for compliance with zoning ordinance and inspects damaged or deteriorated
structures for compliance with building code.
*Advises and interprets building code, zoning and rental ordinances and related regulation and
ordinance requirements to property owners, other inspectors, permit technicians, contractors,
architects, engineers, planners and the general public.
*Ensures prompt turnaround time for permit applications and inspections.
*Oversees inspection of contractors and subcontractor work and ensures licenses and permits are
current.
*Prepares and monitors annual building safety budget.
*Oversees preparation of local, state, and federal reports and prepares other reports as needed or
requested.
*Purchases parts, equipment, and supplies as approved in annual budget; obtains approval for
unbudgeted expenditures.
*Reviews inspection reports and building and site plans for conformance to building and zoning
codes.
*Investigates complaints regarding material and workmanship quality and violation of the zoning
ordinances.
*Issues citations and stop work orders, when necessary, to enforce compliance with building codes
and zoning ordinance; may testify in court concerning results of inspection.
Building Official
City of Otsego
*Oversees or prepares records and reports of investigations and violations of building codes, zoning
ordinance and work permits.
*Coordinates plan review and inspection activities with the City Engineer and Planner with respect to
the construction or alteration of sewer, water access, grading, erosion control and storm water
drainage systems on private property.
*Develops and implements Department goals and objectives and policies and processes associated
with the building permit application and inspection process.
*Supervises the department staff including interviewing and jointly recommending hire, assigning
and reviewing work, evaluating performance and recommending or administering reward and
discipline.
*Receives or oversees receipt of permit fees and maintains financial records; prepares State
Surcharge reports.
Oversees the work of contractors doing work on City buildings to endure compliance with code.
Makes recommendations jointly with other City personnel to Boards, Commissions and City
Council regarding policy development and ordinance amendments.
Reviews and makes recommendations on fees and charges for building, mechanical, plumbing,
demolition and other related permits.
*Oversees the records management system for department records to ensure accurate and complete
records are maintained.
*Keeps abreast of technical advances and code amendments and ensures staff have the most recent
information.
Performs other duties as needed or required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
*Considerable knowledge of State and local building codes, ADA and HUD requirements pertaining
to building materials and how they apply to construction practices.
*Considerable knowledge of zoning laws, City ordinance requirements related to building safety and
procedures pertaining to the application approval process.
*Considerable knowledge of customer service and effective customer relations.
*Working knowledge of supervisory and management principles and practices.
*Working knowledge of erosion control best practices and nuisance and fire safety codes.
*Considerable knowledge of accepted construction practices.
*Considerable ability to apply codes and ordinances to specific situations and enforce in a consistent
and impartial manner.
*Considerable ability to visually inspect, advise and monitor construction and landscaping for
purposes of code and regulation compliance.
*Considerable ability to coordinate and prioritize the work with multiple parties and deadlines.
*Considerable ability to evaluate site plan design including construction or alteration of sewer and
water access, grading, erosion control and storm water drainage systems on private property.
*Considerable ability to use appropriate discretion and sound judgment and to communicate
effectively, both orally and in writing, with elected officials, contractors, engineers, planners,
City staff, State and Federal regulatory staff, architects and the general public.
*Considerable ability to resolve professionally conflicts in a tactful and respectful manner.
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Building Official
City of Otsego
*Considerable ability to read and interpret blueprints and plans involving architectural, structural,
mechanical, plumbing, and engineering designs.
*Considerable ability to remain current on code amendments and technical advances in construction
and relay that information to staff.
*Considerable ability to supervise staff and direct the operations in cooperation with the City
Engineer and Planner and outside inspection contractors.
*Considerable ability to utilize computer technology applicable to the Department.
*Considerable ability to analyze and apply codes, ordinances and regulations to specific situations.
*Working ability to prepare and administer the building safety budget and to make prudent
purchasing decisions.
*Working ability to work in unfinished structures and in unsafe or uncomfortable surroundings.
*Working ability to stand, walk, crouch or stoop, balance, reach, push, pull, climb and sit as
necessary when doing inspections.
*Working ability to grasp and manipulate objects and tools requiring fine motor skills and to
occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
*Working ability to work outside, sometimes in adverse weather conditions, including extremes of
heat and cold and in and around noise, dust and dirt typical of construction settings.
Some exposure to risk of electrical shock or falling objects on occasion.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of a two-year building inspection technology degree and four years of experience as a
building inspector including inspection and plan review of residential and commercial properties and
enforcement of zoning or land -use ordinances, or six years of above experience. Must possess and
maintain certification by the State of Minnesota as a Building Official. Must possess and maintain
MPCA inspector and SSTS certification and possess and maintain a valid MN Class D Driver's
license.
Supervisory experience preferred.
*Asterisked items are essential to the job.
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