Assistant Building Official

Job Description:

Assistant Building Official

Description

Summary

This position is open until filled.

A first review of applications will take place during the week of August 17, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Assistant Building Official in our Development Services Department/Building Services. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for reviewing building plans for compliance with applicable codes and regulations and the issuance of building permits; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; and serves as acting Building Official in the absence of the Building Official.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for plan checking residential, commercial, and industrial building plans and drawings for conformance with applicable state and local codes and regulations.

Assumes responsibility for the Building Division's public counter activities, permit tracking program, and issuance of building permits; maintains quality control for the automated permit tracking system.

Establishes schedules and methods for providing plan checking and permit issuance services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.

Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; interprets, reviews, and evaluates plan review and permit issuance policies and procedures in response to changes in building codes and local ordinances; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.

Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.

Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.

Oversees and participates in the maintenance of records concerning assigned operations and programs; prepares reports on operations and activities.

Performs the more technical and complex tasks of the work unit including plan reviews on the more complex and sensitive projects; determines project valuation and related building and development fees; processes and issues building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits; assists plans examiner with rechecking of plans to allow for faster turn around of projects.

As necessary, provides assistance to building inspectors in the performance of structural and non-structural field inspections on special projects.

Responds to questions from and provides assistance to the public, developers, contractors, owners, and design professionals regarding building regulations, permit requirements, and application of state and local codes; provides problem solving direction to customers to allow code compliance; prepares guidelines, handouts, forms, and procedures for public use.

Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other City departments and outside agencies in order to coordinate project compliance necessary for conditions of approval.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of plan checking; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.

Serves as acting Building Official in the absence of the Building Official.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of :

Operations, services, and activities of a plan checking and permit issuance program.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of buildings and structures.
Principles, methods, and practices of structural and civil engineering.
Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding structural and civil engineering.
Pertinent federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and ordinances including applicable state laws, ordinances, and codes related to structural design and construction.
General legal procedures related to building code enforcement.
Administrative regulations, adjudications and opinions relating to building inspection activities and enforcement activities.
Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Ability to:

Coordinate and direct plan checking and permit issuance programs.
Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in plan checking and permit issuance services and activities.
Select, train, and evaluate staff.
Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing assigned services and activities.
Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
Recommend alternative solutions to design and construction problems.
Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Make engineering computations and analysis to check building construction computations.
Review and analyze plans and detect code violations.
Maintain excellent public relations.
Attend meetings at various locations.
Make difficult interpretations of the codes and resolve problems related to building code enforcement.
Prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, and other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in building inspection, structural engineering, civil engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

Five years (full-time equivalent) of responsible experience in the review of building construction plans including one year of lead supervisory or project management responsibility.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
Possession of certification as a Plans Examiner issued by the International Code Council (ICC).

Supplemental Information

NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Management Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$98,033.04 - $145,818.72 Annually