General Functions:
Performs a variety of routine and complex technical work in connection with the duty to enforce all of the provisions of the Building Code and other related codes; performs technical level work coordinating floodplain management and land development activities as it relates to all functions of CRS and NFIP programs for the City. In addition, the Building Official is responsible for the daily operations of the technical division of the Building Safety Division.
Reports To:
Director of Development Services
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Plan Examiners
Inspectors
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Enforces and interprets the Building Code and other related codes and ordinances of the City of Homestead, including, but not limited to, site inspections and building and structural plans review.
- Plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day operations of the Building Division, including permitting and inspection activities relating to requirements set forth in City ordinances, State law, and building codes.
- Manages Division vendor(s), contracts, and personnel that provide technical support as it relates to plan review and inspection services.
- Administers the permitting function, including application processing, fee assessment and collection, and permit issuance.
- Plans, organizes, and administers all activities of the technical division of the Building Department, including, but not limited to, personnel actions, evaluation, training, customer service, general departmental operations, records management, and employee discipline.
- Formulates and prescribes work within the Building Department for all departmental staff, including assigning staff to various special projects as needed.
- Recommends terminations of employment to the Development Services Director and/or Designee, as necessary. Assures optimum departmental activity in the enforcement of the Building Code.
- Prepares annual Building Safety Division operating and capital budget and accompanying descriptions of need for the Building Safety Division.
- Manages Building Safety Division's annual operating budget, capital budget, expenditures, revenues, and contracts.
- Prepares and submits reports of department activities to the Development Services Director and/or Designee.
- Attends periodic meetings as directed by the Development Services Director and/or Designee.
- Disciplines department employees for violation of City or Department Policies and Procedures.
- Performs administrative and professional work as the Floodplain Administrator and Community Rating System (CRS) Coordinator in the daily implementation of activities related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Oversees, conducts and/or assigns Floodplain reviews for building permits to determine flood zone status and administer procedures to ensure that all floodplain management requirements are met.
- Coordinates the activities required for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System and oversees the preparation and submittal of necessary forms.
- Prepares and maintains flood zone maps and associated FEMA revisions and maintains a database of all requests to FEMA for map revisions.
- Oversees management of elevation certificate files and ensures that elevation certificates are received for all properties in the special flood hazard area.
- Provides limited technical assistance to engineers, developers, and the public regarding flood zones, floodplain management requirements, and drainage studies.
- Oversees coordination of City floodplain activities with the State NFIP Coordinator and ensures the city complies with the FEMA requirements for the NFIP.
- Responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding flooding and drainage, on private property.
- Oversees inspections of properties with flood zone-specific requirements in conjunction with Floodplain Manager, Building Inspector, or Public Works.
- Serves on the Emergency Management Team for Emergency Operations Management (ECO) during Storm Season and other events, as directed.
- Represents the City of Homestead in all matters before the Miami-Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals.
- Supervises demolition projects ordered by the City of Homestead Unsafe Structures Board.
- Administer and provide expert witness testimony for structures presented before the Unsafe Structures Board.
- Develops, evaluates, and implements policies and procedures, standards, goals, and objectives for assigned functions and communicates with the public.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the Director of Development Services and/or Designee.
All of the above information is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. This description is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Type of Appointment/Work hours:
- Full-time/Regular in-person position.
- Standard workweek, which is forty (40) hours of work per week usually consisting of five (5) days of eight (8) hours per day. The workday may be varied for the efficient delivery of public service.
- Will be required to work other than the standard workweek on occasion, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays, as needed.
- Will be required to work occasional overtime or shift assignments, if applicable.
- Designated as essential personnel.
Qualifications & Work Environment
Requirements:
- Minimum Education and Training:
- The Building Official for the City of Homestead shall be qualified as one of the following: (Section 8-21, Chapter 8 of the Miami-Dade County Building Code):
- Construction Industry Licensing Board with not less than five (5) years of experience under that license.
- A licensed General Contractor holding a current Certificate of Competency issued by the Miami-Dade County Construction Trade Qualifying Board with not less than five (5) years of experience under that license.
- Must be certified or eligible for certification as a Chief Building Inspector and Building Plans Examiner by the Miami-Dade Board of Rules and Appeals.
- Must be certified by the Miami-Dade Board of Rules and Appeals. To be certified by the Board of Rules and Appeals the individual will need the following:
- The inspection authority (the City) must apply for certification to the Building Code Compliance Office prior to the appointment of the Building Official. Based on a preliminary review of the application for certification, the Building Code Compliance Office will within ten days grant temporary certification or deny it. The application is then submitted to the Board of Rules and Appeals for approval or denial. The City shall not employ any person without first obtaining temporary certification from the Office of Code Compliance.
- The City would also need to certify the Building Official as a Building Plans Examiner and Chief Building Inspector. The code requirements for these positions to be certified are the same as the minimum criteria for a Building Official listed above.
- Must hold a valid standard certificate issued by the State of Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Board of Building Code Administrators and Inspectors in the category and discipline they are seeking certification.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field is required.
- A Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) is required.
- Minimum three (3) years of supervisory experience in performing general work in the construction or engineering field.
- Ability to communicate and comprehend written and verbal instructions.
- Must possess a valid state of Florida Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
- Must pass the background screening process.
Physical and Environmental Demands or Conditions:
The physical and environmental demands for this position have been listed on the last page of this description. Physical and environmental demands must be met to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
Employment Policies & Core Values
Core Competencies:
- Judgment - Sound decisions based on fact; uses logic to solve problems.
- Quality of Work - Performs work thoroughly, accurately, and professionally.
- Reliability - Timely and consistently completes assigned work; consistently reports to work and is punctual.
- Safety - Committed to ensuring a safe environment and complies with applicable safety standards.
- Technical Capability - Applies knowledge to identify issues and works to develop skills; demonstrates knowledge of techniques, skills, and equipment.
