Job Title: Building Official

Open Date: June 3, 2026

Close Date: Open Until Filled - First review JUNE 18, 2026

Salary: $9,109 - $10,306/month plus benefits - FLSA Exempt

View full job posting here, Building Official

RECRUITMENT DESCRIPTION:

The City of Ellensburg has a vacancy for a full-time Building Official in the Community Development Department.

This is a working supervisory position, with the understanding that the incumbent is expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties as required. The Building Official is responsible for interpretation, final determinations, and enforcement of the City's Building Codes. The Building Official will oversee the daily operation of the Building division, including staff supervision and quality control, to ensure the work of the division is completed with accuracy and efficiency, and that customer service and collaboration between departments is a priority.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or equivalency
• A degree, certificate, or documented formal training in architecture, construction management, engineering, building or construction technology or a related field
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible general construction experience, including at least three (3) years in building code administration, plan review and inspection
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience
• Please Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered as determined by Management.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and must maintain insurable driving record
• First Aid/CPR/AED card (or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment)
• ICC certified Building Plans Examiner
• ICC certified Building Inspector
• ICC certified Building Official within one (1) year of employment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual English/Spanish

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of State mandated Building and General Construction Codes including, but not limited to: International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy and Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code, Uniform Housing Code, Uniform Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code, various state and local building and land use codes, and Washington State Existing and Historic Building Codes.
• Thorough knowledge of national and state building material standards including, but not limited to, United States Gypsum Manual, National Design Specifications, Western Woods Use Book, Load and Resistance Factor Design, UL Directories, Floodplain Management and Construction, ASTM Standards, NFPA Standards, ASCE Standards, ANSI Standards and other standards and manuals applicable to building construction.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in plan review and field inspection procedures; ability to perform tasks under varying weather conditions; ability to observe proper safety precautions.
• Skilled in the operation of the listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions; ability to write reports; ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner, verbally and in writing, and in a manner appropriate for the intended audience; ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community and present information to City officials, management, and public groups; ability to establish courteous and cooperative working relationships and maintain a cohesive and engaged team through open, honest communication and addressing difficult issues when they arise.
• Ability to read and understand complicated construction plans and blueprints, specifications, soils reports and engineering calculations; ability to pay attention to detail using good organizational decision-making skills, analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Demonstrated skill in supervision of staff including, but not limited to, planning, organizing, delegating, assigning, and supervising work of others.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills using patience and courtesy, fostering a positive and effective working environment.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fractions, decimals, and percentages, convert between units (e.g. inches to feet, etc.), perimeter, area, volume, ratios, and proportions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Benefits include Public Employees Retirement System and Social Security; Medical/Dental/Life/ Disability Insurance, VEBA, paid time off (PTO bank), exempt leave, holidays, and employee choice days.