Building Official

Salary : $170,007.00 - $212,508.00 Annually
Location : City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: 2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number: 27-051
Department: Planning & Community Development
Division: Building & Safety
Opening Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Please note: this recruitment is open continuous with first consideration given to those who apply by November 12, 2026.

This recruitment may close at any time. Apply today!

Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the

• Plans and directs building plan review and inspection staff and participates in plan check and inspection of buildings for compliance with laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing the safety, construction, and alteration of buildings.
• Prepares and delivers clear, effective presentations and reports to the community, City Council, Council subcommittees, commissions, and other stakeholder groups regarding building codes and regulations, permitting and inspection services, code compliance matters, departmental initiatives, and complex or high-profile projects.
• Provides information on building regulations, permits, procedures, developments, and related matters and drafts code regulations.
• Participates or assigns appropriate designee for meetings on proposed projects through staff review and participates in related meetings.
• Resolves field and office concerns regarding the application and/or interpretation of codes and regulations.
• Prepares and presents verbal and written reports on building inspection activities; develops divisional procedures and rules and ensures compliance.
• Develops and administers the annual budget for the Building and Safety Division.
• Addresses complaints regarding activities of the Building Plan Check and Inspection Services and takes or directs appropriate corrective action.
• Projects trends in workload activity and assigns work in the most effective and efficient manner to maximize productivity in Building Plan Check and Inspection Services.
• Assists in the selection of employees; plans, organizes, and assigns work; oversees education and training for Plan Check and Inspection staff by coordinating training classes and conducting in-house sessions as required; reviews and evaluates employee performance; recommends disciplinary action.
• Leads and coordinates the City's triennial adoption of the California Building Standards Code, including reviewing and evaluating proposed state code changes, developing recommended local amendments, coordinating with relevant City departments and stakeholders, preparing staff reports and supporting documentation, and presenting proposed code adoptions to the City Council for consideration and approval.
• Prepares drafts of ordinances of current codes, and other ordinances for adoption as needed.
• Assesses physical requirements and training needs related to disaster preparedness; conducts training; manages the command post; anticipates and solves problems.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this classification.

Qualification Guidelines

COMPETENCIES:

• Action & Results Focus - Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectation of customers
• Allocating Resources - Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness
• Managing Performance - Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Professional & Technical Expertise - Applying technical subject matter to the job

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acceptable job performance.
Example combinations include:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, public administration, or a closely related field and
• Five years of experience with a governmental agency as a Building Official, Plans Examiner, or Senior Inspector, including three years in a supervisory capacity.
• Previous experience as a Building Official for a full-service city is preferred.

SELECTION PROCESS

• The examination process may consist of: An education, training, and experience evaluation; an interview panel, and a departmental interview.
• There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Planning and Community Department, Building & Safety Division. This recruitment may be used to fill the vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.
• This position is a part of the Pasadena Management Association bargaining unit and has a probationary period of one year.

Special Requirements
Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Designation by the International Code Council (ICC) as a Certified Building Official (CBO) is required; ICC Building Plans Examiner and ICC Commercial Building Inspector certifications are desirable.
Retirement:

The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to offer a defined benefits program for eligible employees.
"New" CalPERS members are subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and receive the following benefit formula: 2% at 62

"Classic" members of CalPERS receive the following benefit formula: 2.5% at 55

Deferred Compensation:*

The City offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to help employees save for their retirement and supplement their CalPERS pension. Employees can defer salary with pre-tax or Roth after-tax deductions.

Health Insurance: *

The City contracts with CalPERS to offer several comprehensive health plans that include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

Other Benefits include: *

• Dental Insurance (HMO and PPO plans offered)
• Paid leave (holidays, sick leave, vacation leave)
• City-paid Life and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Voluntary vision, life, accident, and critical illness insurance
• Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Professional Development Allowance
• Free Employee Assistance Program

*These benefits may vary for employees whose FTE is less than .75 or work less than 30 hours per week.
01

To further assist us with reviewing your qualifications, please answer the following questions. Please complete all sections of this form truthfully and completely. Your responses will be validated if you are considered one of the most qualified applicants.Please enter your initials to reflect that you have read and understood this statement:
02

Please indicate your highest level of education:

• High School Graduate or Equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Some Graduate School
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

03

Do you possess an International Code Council (ICC) Certification as a Plans Examiner?If you answered YES, please provide the license number in the Certificates & Licenses section of the application.

• Yes
• No

04

Select the option that best describes the years of experience with a governmental agency as a Building Official.

• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 8 years
• More than 8 years

05

Please describe how recent your experience is as a Building Official in a governmental agency.

• Currently employed as a Building Official in a government agency.
• Employed 1 - 5 years ago
• Employed more than 5 years ago

06

Select the option that best describes the years of experience with a governmental agency as a Plans Examiner or Senior Inspector.

• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 8 years
• More than 8 years

Required Question