Job Description

Location

1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, 94901

Description

Deputy Building Official - $133,212 - $161,916 Annually

Senior Building Inspector - $102,336 - $124,392 Annually

Plus excellent benefits! 

Apply by May 2, 2025. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

THE CITY

San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment.

With a population of approximately 60,000, San Rafael is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget in fiscal year 2024-2025 of approximately $180 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity.

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asses, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

THE DEPARTMENT

In recent years, the City of San Rafael has seen an unprecedented interest in development and growth, and our department has responded with collaborative focus on creating a thriving, sustainable community that meets the needs of our diverse population. Thanks to a determined effort to provide excellent service, the City’s building department maintains a great reputation with local builders and residents.

The Community & Economic Development Department is comprised of five divisions with a total fiscal year 2024-2025 budget of $9.5 million and 25 full-time employees.

Five Divisions: 

• Planning, Building, Housing & Code Enforcement Divisions: Support the City’s land use entitlement, construction and inspection permitting, housing policy, and community code compliance programs.

• Economic Development Division: Creates and maintains a thriving economic environment for businesses and residents by providing resources, primarily through the one-stop-shop “San Rafael Go” Program.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for Deputy Building Official is a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated professional with a deep understanding of building codes, regulations, and construction practices. You are an excellent communicator; able to comfortably connect with contractors, architects, planners and the public. You must be a thoughtful problem-solver in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will have substantial experience in the building inspection field, ideally within municipal or governmental roles, demonstrating expertise in overseeing building inspections, applying building codes, and ensuring compliance with safety, accessibility, and environmental standards. This position requires a demonstrated leader who is able to manage and mentor a team in a productive and forward-thinking manner.

The Senior Building Inspector is a skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated professional with a proficient understanding of building codes, regulations, and construction practices. You will be responsive and analytical; and be effective in a fast-paced and dynamic settings. You will have 7-10 years’ experience in the building inspection field, ideally within municipal or governmental roles, demonstrating the ability to lead and mentor, expertise in overseeing building inspections, interpreting building codes, and ensuring compliance with safety, accessibility, and environmental standards. You will have relevant certifications in building inspection, such as ICC (International Code Council) Certified Building Inspector, or similar.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)

Deputy Building Official

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. for the full list, and knowledge, skills, ability, physical demands, and work environment. 

• Analyzes, distributes and monitors the inspection workflow.
• Provides work review, information and training to Building Division personnel as directed.
• Assigns work, including field inspections, to Building Inspectors
• Oversees and inspects all major commercial work.
• Serves as the focal point for complaints and dispute resolution.
• Investigates all disabled access complaints, issues reports and assists with resolution.
• Inspects building construction, plumbing, electrical and gas installations in residential, business, industrial and public buildings.
• Conducts final inspections of newly completed buildings.
• Reviews and investigates violations of building code laws. •
• Checks permit applications for completeness and accuracy before issuing permits.  
• Responsible for the efficient and progressive operation of the Inspection Division.
• Serves as technical advisor and assistant to the Chief Building Official/Fire Marshal on building related issues.
• Assists in budget preparation and the administration of division budget. 

Senior Building Inspector

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. for the full list, and knowledge, skills, ability, physical demands, and work environment. 

• Analyzes, distributes and monitors the inspection workflow.
• Meets with a variety of public and private officials, individually and/or in a group setting, on inspection matters.
• Assists the Chief Building Official with development of technical/informational handouts. 
• Serves as a technical expert in training staff; works with employees to improve knowledge.
• Prioritizes and schedules work, including field inspections, to Building Inspectors I & II.
• Reviews and/or inspects complex commercial projects as assigned.
• Assists with complaints and dispute resolution.
• Reads and interprets plans and discusses requirements with builders and owners.
• Investigates disabled access complaints, issues reports and assists with resolution.
• Inspects building construction, plumbing, electrical and gas installations in residential, business, industrial and public buildings. 
• Reviews and investigates building code violations, assists code Enforcement Division.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Deputy Building Official

• Graduation from high school or equivalent based on courses taken from an accredited educational institution.  Associate of Science degree in Building Inspection or related field is preferred.  
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection, including commercial, of which at least two (2) years must be in a supervisory capacity.  

Senior Building Inspector

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent based on courses taken from an accredited educational institution.  
• Associate of Arts degree preferred AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection, including commercial inspection and/or plan check experience, of which at least two (2) years must be at the full journey level or above.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Both Positions:Maintain a Valid CA driver’s license.

Deputy Building Official

Must maintain ICC certification in at least three of the following areas: commercial building inspector, combination building inspector, electrical inspector, plumbing inspector or mechanical inspector.  These certifications are required at time of hire. In addition, Plans Examiner certification from ICC is required, but may be obtained within 6 months of hire. 

Senior Building Inspector

Building Inspector certification from International Code Council (ICC) or equivalent is required. CASP certification is highly desirable. Possession of a Commercial Building Inspector or Building Plans Examiner certification from ICC is desirable.  Certification as a Commercial Building Inspector must be obtained within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment.

BENEFITS

The Deputy Building Official is a regular position of the City’s San Rafael Mid-Management Employee Association (SRMMEA)and is eligible to receive benefits including but not limited to:

• MEDICAL | City group health coverage, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium. Employee only: $950.00; Employee plus one: $1,900.00; Family: $2,400.00
• DENTAL AND VISION | Premium fully paid for employee plus eligible dependents.
• VACATION LEAVE |15 days annually, increases after 5 years of service
• SICK LEAVE | 12 days annually
• ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE | 10 days each calendar year, prorated if hired after the first of the year
• HOLIDAYS | 12 paid City holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year
• BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to 5 days paid leave
• END OF LIFE CARE LEAVE | Up to 80 hours paid leave
• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (if eligible) | Up to 300 hours paid leave. SRMMEA employees also contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI)
• LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D | $300,000
• LONG TERM DISABILITY | 66.67% of salary, up to $7,500 per month
• RETIREMENT |Enrollment in the Marin County Retirement System (MCERA) pension plan, a defined benefit retirement program
  • Tier 2 - hired on or after 7/1/2011: 2% @ 55, Average of 3 highest years
  • Tier 3 PEPRA - hired on or after 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62, Average of 3 highest years
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION | City will contribute one percent (1.06%) of base pay into a City-provided deferred compensation plan
• GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT | Up to $198 per year
• BILINGUAL PAY (if eligible) | Up to $250 per month

The Senior Building Inspector is a regular position of the City’s SEIU Local 1021employee group and is eligible to receive benefits including but not limited to:

• MEDICAL | City group health coverage, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium: Employee only: $950.00 | Employee plus one: $1,900.00 | Family: $2,400.00
• DENTAL | Premium fully paid for employee plus eligible dependents.
• VISION | Premium fully paid for employee.
• VACATION LEAVE |10 days annually, increases after 3 years of service
• SICK LEAVE | 12 days annually
• HOLIDAYS | 12 paid City holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year
• BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to 5 days paid leave
• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (if eligible) | Up to 300 hours paid leave. SRMMEA employees also contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI)
• LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D | $20,000 Life policy and $20,000 AD&D policy
• LONG TERM DISABILITY | 66.67%
• END OF LIFE CARE LEAVE |Up to 80 ho
• of salary, up to $1,000 per month
• RETIREMENT |Enrollment in the Marin County Retirement System (MCERA) pension plan, a defined benefit retirement program
  • Tier 2 - hired on or after 7/1/2011: 2% @ 55, Average of 3 highest years
  • Tier 3 PEPRA - hired on or after 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62, Average of 3 highest years
• GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT | Up to $198 per year
• BILINGUAL PAY (if eligible) | Up to $250 per month

Job Announcement URL: 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGhdDeBKWo/wVaM7u4YUJe3S9PfDMxdJA/view

Job PDF: 

Additional Job PDF: 

Job Video Link URL: 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGhdDeBKWo/wVaM7u4YUJe3S9PfDMxdJA/view

Special Instructions

Apply by Friday, May 2, 2025. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Tentative interview schedule: 

• Monday, May 12, 2025:  Panel Interviews to be held in person
• Wednesday, May 14, 2025:  Finalist Interviews to be held in person 

It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly.

Recruitment Contact

Contact email: 

human.resources@cityofsanrafael.org

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