City and County of San Francisco

Under general direction, the Chief Building Inspector manages and administers the assigned division(s), establishes inspection and operational procedures, interprets and explains codes, represents the department in front of boards and commissions, reviews and resolves complaints, performs building and structural inspections as necessary, and coordinates with other departments as a response team in the event of emergencies and disasters.

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Building Inspector by the responsibility for planning and directing the work of staff in a building inspection unit or the supervision of professional staff in a major program or project.

Chief Building Inspectors supervise subordinate building inspector and/or clerical staff as assigned.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1.    Manages/administers assigned division(s) by planning, directing, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff who provide information regarding inspection services to the public, review plans and permits, and perform inspections in connection with the construction and modification of buildings or other structures, and of buildings under investigation for code violations in order to ensure that department policies and procedures are adhered to and the applicable codes, ordinances, and laws are properly enforced. At the Department of Building Inspection, this includes the supervision of Senior Building Inspectors who supervise the daily operations of the Building Inspectors. Prepares the division’s budget by analyzing operational data and determining the needs of the division(s).

2.    Interprets and explains codes, related laws and ordinances which govern building construction in the City & County of San Francisco such as the building code, housing code, mechanical code, state building standards, Title 24 accessibility requirements and energy conservation standards, appeal procedures, abatement process and permit processing to staff and others including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public to ensure that the information concerning the department is disseminated accurately. At the Port, this includes marine terminal construction standards.

3.    Represents the department at meetings, hearings, and in court by preparing evidence and/or appearing before such bodies as the Board of Supervisors, Building Inspection Commission, judicial committees, Access Appeals Commission, Unreinforced Masonry Building Appeals Board, Board of Permit Appeals, Abatement Appeals Board, and Board of Examiners in order to testify or present information regarding code violation cases and other matters concerning their respective division(s). This includes acting as the hearing officer on behalf of the Director.

4.    Directs the preparation and maintenance of records and reports on abatement appeals board cases, statistical analyses, inspection activities, work orders, contracts, specifications, plans, cost estimates, emergency orders, and operational activities of the respective division(s) by assigning, reviewing, and revising when necessary, to ensure that such work is correct, complete, and in conformance with departmental policies and procedures.

5.    Reviews complaints regarding inspection services, plan reviews, code interpretations, and/or code violations from property owners, port tenants, general public, other city departments, and various civic groups by researching pertinent codes, ordinances, laws and conducting investigations, taking appropriate actions, and informing complainant of findings in order to clarify and resolve problems.

6.    Establishes inspection and operational procedures for the assigned division by reviewing existing policies and procedures and when necessary, revising or creating new procedures in order to effectively maximize staff and resources and/or conform to current laws, regulations, ordinances and codes regulating the construction and modification of buildings and other structures.

7.    Reviews current codes, administrative bulletins and code rulings in order to inform staff of revisions and/or additions, and to provide management with input regarding the feasibility of such revisions or additions on current work processes and, if necessary, prepares recommendations for revisions or additions.

8.    Oversees and performs building and other structural inspections as required by making field visits and checking for conformance to approved plans and specifications, and compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and laws. This includes coordinating with other departments as a response team in the event of emergencies and disasters such as fire, earthquake, explosions, and landslides. The Chief Building Inspector at the Port also performs pier inspections in a boat; and performs inspections in areas where there is known hazardous waste.

9.    Performs related duties as assigned.

 

Knowledge of: the uses and characteristics of construction materials and equipment; present and past building construction methods and techniques; Title 24 accessibility requirements; and building codes, state building standards, and other codes, regulations, ordinances, and laws that govern building construction in the City and County of San Francisco and the State of California.

Ability to: analyze information from appropriate sources to formulate and execute effective solutions; schedule and coordinate tasks or events in a logical manner so as to maximize staff and material resources and increase efficiency; plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff and contractors; deal courteously, patiently and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including staff, architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and general public; speak clearly and distinctly to express ideas and information in a concise and effective manner; listen, comprehend, and summarize information regarding policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; communicate clearly and effectively in writing; and move in and out of buildings, tunnels, ditches and other related areas.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Experience:

Four (4) years of verifiable experience as a building inspector with a public agency in a jurisdiction with a population of approximately 700,000. At least two (2) years of this experience must be at a level equivalent to class 6333 Senior Building Inspector with the City and County of San Francisco, which includes supervision of building inspectors.

Possession of a valid Class C California driver license.

Possession of the Commercial and Residential Building Inspector certifications or the Building Plans Examiner certification, issued by the International Code Council (ICC), is required.  Inspectors must maintain the certification as a condition of continued employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

These positions require the ability to work in inclement weather; and possible exposure to hazardous conditions found in and around damaged buildings, structures or construction sites.  Also required is the ability to move into and out of vehicles frequently, buildings, tunnels, ditches, and other related areas; to climb or crawl into and out of spaces which must be inspected; and to use ladders, scaffolds and other special equipment.  These positions require the operation of a motor vehicle in order to visit inspection sites and to respond to emergencies and disasters.  The nature of work includes customer service, responding to difficult situations, and performing plan review that requires sitting for prolonged periods of time under normal office conditions.

In order to perform the essential functions of the class, Chief Building Inspectors with the Port must be able to lift and install an outboard motor onto a boat to navigate to piers and wharves in order to perform inspections.

PROMOTIVE LINES

From: 6333 Senior Building Inspector

ORIGINATION DATE:     9/14/1970

AMENDED DATE:      5/16/03; 08/30/12

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.