Chief Building Official

Salary: $137,517.00 - $171,740.00 Annually Location : La Habra, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 00467 Department: Community & Economic Development Dept. Division: Building & Safety Opening Date: 02/24/2026 Closing Date: 3/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific Description Under direction of the Director of Community and Economic Development, the Chief Building Official oversees the Building and Safety and Code Enforcement divisions, which include a variety of supervisory, administrative, and technical work in permit processing, building inspection, code compliance, and building abatement issues. The ideal candidate will be a "hands-on," customer-service oriented professional who is comfortable working closely with the general public as a creative, collaborative problem solver. The Chief Building Official must also possess strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, eager to assist and serve internal and external stakeholders when the need arises. Examples of Duties ESSENTIAL DUTIES Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Manages the activities, operations, and services of the Building and Safety, and Code Enforcement divisions by directing, coordinating, reviewing, and participating in the work of professional, technical, and office support staff to ensure that codes are properly enforced with uniformity, equity, and safety monitors plan check flow, and service fees. Supervises, selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned supervisory, professional, technical and clerical personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies in work performance; implement counseling and disciplinary procedures as needed. Plan checks building construction plans for conformance to State and Local construction codes including State of California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Energy and Accessibility regulations, and inspects construction projects for compliance with State and local construction codes. Interprets, makes decisions and provides information verbally and in writing to architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, developers and others regarding code requirements, rules, regulations, and technical problems of enforcement. Coordinates activities with other divisions, City Departments, outside agencies and organizations, and the general public; including attendance at weekly Development Review Committee meetings and prepares building conditions of approval for planning commission items. Oversees and participates in the development, administration, and monitoring of the annual budget by forecasting necessary funding for staffing, materials, services, and supplies; discusses and resolves budget issues with staff and making adjustments as necessary. Maintains statistics and reports on construction activity. Prepares statistics, reports and presentations on current building issues and construction activity for City Council, community groups, and regulatory agencies. Monitors and evaluates current industry trends, legislation, ruling, and practices and recommends appropriate modifications to policies, procedures, and municipal code requirements. Responds to and resolves the most complex and difficult issues, complaints, inquiries, and requests for information. Takes action for the abatement of dangerous buildings and to abate substandard housing. Prepares reports and correspondence including plan check corrections, comparative plan check, permit and inspection reports, informational brochures, and staff reports. Implements and oversees Division policies and procedures. Directs the maintenance of appropriate plans, records and files. Attends Planning Commission and Council meetings as needed. Prepares requests for proposals, coordinates agreements and manages consultant contracts. Assists and/or actively participates in Code Enforcement cases. Performs other related duties as assigned. Typical Qualifications QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: Operational characteristics, services and activities of a building inspection, permitting, and plan check program. Principles and practices of general construction and plan checking including residential, commercial and industrial construction; principles and practices of program development and administration. State and Municipal codes including the Uniform Building Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, California Building standards codes, safety standards and methods of building construction, and other related codes. Engineering principles and practices, including stress and strength of building materials. Principles and practices of property location, topographic surveying, and tectonics. Computers and common software (Microsoft Office Suite) and and database applications. Basic code enforcement legal procedures. Principles and techniques of administration, supervision, discipline, performance evaluations, employee motivation, training, and budgeting. Ability to: Perform plan check of plans for life-safety, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and State and Municipal Code requirements. Perform building and construction and NPDES inspections. Supervise, train and evaluate technical, clerical and field personnel. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing in a courteous and helpful manner. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and city staff. Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports and correspondence. Ensure program compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. Create and maintain accurate records, databases and files. Operate a motor vehicle. Provide quality customer service. Perform other related duties as assigned. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: Experience: Five (5) years of experience of increasingly responsible management and/or administrative experience as a building official or plan checking and/or the enforcement of building codes with a public agency including, building inspections and construction, including (2) two years of supervisory experience. Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Structural, Mechanical or Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, Architecture, Public Administration or related field. Possession of a Master's degree, and possession of State of California registration as a Professional Engineer or license as an Architect, is highly desirable. LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS: Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license. Must also possess Council of American Building Officials (CABO) Certificate or equivalent, International Code Council Building Official (ICBO) Building Inspector Certificate, and ICBO Plan Examiner Certificate or Combination Building Inspector. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Environmental Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel from site to site and exposure to an outdoor field environment and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, and gases; work at heights or in confined spaces; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; stand and walk between work areas and conduct field inspections as appropriate and necessary, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; operate a motor vehicle and visit various construction, and meeting sites; operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; perceive color, shapes and forms, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech proficiency to verbally communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone to exchange information. SPECIAL CONDITIONSPublic Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster. MANAGEMENT BENEFITS: The City offers a Cafeteria Plan and city contribution is $1,800 per month on a use or lose basis. Effective December 1, 2025, the City contribution will increase to $2,050 per month. Health Insurance-CalPERS Health Plans Dental - Delta Dental Vision -VSP Life Insurance and LTD- Standard Insurance RETIREMENT: Classic members of California Public Employees' retirement System (CalPERS) will be under the 2% @ 60 defined benefit plan. As part of this benefit members pay eight percent (8%) towards contribution. Additional benefits include: Three Year Final Compensation, Service Credit for Unused Sick Leave and the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level IV. PEPRA Members: California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) under the 2% @ 62 defined benefit plan. As part of this benefit members pay the statutorily mandated 50% of the normal cost plus an additional 1%. Additional benefits include: Three Year Final Compensation, Service Credit for Unused Sick Leave and the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level IV. RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS): Employee contributes $50 per pay period to a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) account. DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City contracts with MissionSquare Retirement for deferred compensation program. The City provides a $75 matching contribution per pay period. Enrollment is voluntary. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: A flexible spending account program is available to employees on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible health and dependent care costs. VACATION: Vacation leave from 80 hours per year to 200 hours per year based on years of service with the City. Vacation buy-back is available of up to 80 hours per fiscal year. SICK LEAVE: Sick leave accrual rate of 96 hours per year. ADMINISTARTIVE LEAVE: 50 hours of administrative leave per fiscal year on a use or lose basis. HOLIDAYS: An average of eleven (11) holidays per year, plus one (1) floating holiday for certain bargaining groups. EMPLOYEE GYM: The City offers an in-house gym at City hall to support employees health and wellness. 01 Your application must include the following: 1. At least 10 years of employment history (assuming you have been employed for ten years) 2. Explanation for any gaps in employment 3. A reason for leaving each job 4. Three professional references (including names and phone numbers of present and past supervisors or managers, or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers) Please attach these to your application5. A clear demonstration in your application and responses to supplemental questions of' all relevant education and experience Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in disqualification and will not be considered further. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. I understand that my application may be rejected if incomplete or if I fail to provide any of the information listed above. CLICK YES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. Yes No 02 Do you have any relevant certifications? If yes, please list them. 03 Do you have at least five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in a public agency performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, housing, or a related code enforcement field? If yes, explain. 04 Do you have at least 2 years of supervisory experience? If yes, please explain your ability to manage or supervise others. 05 Are you able to work evenings and weekends if needed? Yes No 06 Do you have experience working with elected officials? If yes, please explain your experience and in what capacity. 07 Have you worked on any City projects? If yes, please explain. Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04