Building Official

Building Official

Salary

$39.29 - $52.56 Hourly

Location

Kenai, AK

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

00297

Department

Public Works Department

Opening Date

06/26/2025

Closing Date

7/10/2025 5:00 PM Alaska

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Public Works Director, the Building Official inspects industrial, commercial, and residential private and public buildings for compliance with applicable codes and regulations and provides administrative direction for the Buildings Division of the Public Works Department. Contacts are primarily with state and federal agencies, contractors, owners, the public, architects, and engineers in order to review and approve plans and resolve any related problems. This position assists in the management of maintenance projects as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspect new construction throughout all phases of construction for compliance with adopted codes and ordinances; issue written notices of building code violations; prepare notes requiring corrective action and "stop work" notices; maintain all related records, reports, and files.
• Inspect new structures and/or additions or remodeling in the areas of construction, which includes footings, reinforcing in block or poured concrete, wood and concrete foundations and other concrete structures, plumbing, sewer/water service connections, framing, electrical, mechanical systems, insulation, and sheetrock; review the as-built survey, make final inspection and issue certificate of occupancy upon acceptable completion of the above.
• Review building plans and specifications for compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances; approve building plans, determine the valuation of buildings and permit costs, and issue permits for proposed work.
• Respond to and answer questions and render interpretations of codes for architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.
• Research issues concerning codes, installation standards, and construction methods that come into question.
• Assist the Planning Department in determining Zoning Code as they apply to building issues and other aspects of zoning.
• Work closely with the City of Kenai Fire Marshal pertaining to building life safety issues.
• Serve as the City-wide safety coordinator.
• Initiate abatement proceedings of dangerous buildings and structures.
• Investigate complaints of unsafe buildings or those thought to be unfit to occupy.
• Issue sign permits and assures signs are erected according to code.
• Testify at hearings related to violations of codes, laws, or regulations.
• Develop and maintain records, statistics, and reports, including those on construction activity.
• Attend Department training programs.
• Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of increasingly more responsible building inspection work experience.
• Certification by the ICC as a Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Inspector, and a Building Plans Examiner or obtain all certifications within two (2) years of hire.
• Possess or obtain a valid, unrestricted Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
• The applicant must possess any combination of training and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential job functions

Supplemental Information

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering.
• Certification by the ICC as a Building Plans Examiner and Building, Mechanical, Plumbing or Electrical Inspector.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures. Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Noise from heavy equipment and other tools is frequent. There is dust and sometimes dirt when inspecting structures. The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform some work inside a vehicle, including operating radios, and a cell phone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate telephones, radios, and some general office equipment); to work both inside and outside in all types of weather; to sit, stand, walk, stoop, crouch, lift, bend, and reach with hands and arms; to climb ladders. The employee must be able to climb in and out of vehicles and work in small spaces.

Specific vision abilities required include close, distance and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in-person as well as on a telephone and radio.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusual difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified. When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum by no more than the maximum range. An exceptionally qualified applicant will have over 5 years experience and one or both of the desirable qualifications above.

Note: Relocation assistance of up to $5,000 may be available for highly qualified applicants.

The following information describes benefits available to City of Kenai employees working 25 hours or more per week. Actual benefits received may differ by position type or be prorated for other than full time work. All benefits are subject to change by the City.

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire*
• Supplemental Retirement Program six months after date of hire. Employer contribution of 6.2% of the first $37,500.00 of base wages earned in a calendar year
• Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program

Insurance Benefits

• PPO or QHDHP Plan options available
• Health Insurance Coverage 30 days after date of hire
• Employee and Dependent Coverage Available
• Employer Contribution of 87% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employee Contribution of 13% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employer HRA Contribution for medical deductible and prescription co-pay
• Employer HSA Contribution for employees on the QHDHP

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance with supplemental coverage available for employee and dependents
• Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
• Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 7.3846 hours each pay period (10.3385 for certain Fire Department employees) with an accrual rate increase based on longevity
• Eleven and a half paid holidays each year
• Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family upon approval
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program includes free use of the Kenai Recreation Center
• Bona Fide Employer-Sponsored Medical Leave Sharing Arrangement
• The City of Kenai does not withhold Social Security taxes from wages earned by employees who participate in the PERS retirement system.

01

Do you possess a high-school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have three years increasingly more responsible building inspection work experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a certification by the International Code Council (ICC) as a building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical inspector or a building plans examiner?

• Yes
• No

Required Question