Chief Building Official

Salary: $100,587.00 - $155,904.00 Annually
Location : One Exchange Plaza 219 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Building Safety
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Work Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: $100,587.00 - $128,195.00

Job Description
The City of Raleigh is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Chief Building Official to provide leadership and oversight of building code enforcement, inspections, and plan review operations within the Building Safety Division. This key leadership position is responsible for ensuring the safe and compliant construction of residential and commercial buildings while supporting Raleigh's continued growth and development. The Chief Building Official will lead a team of skilled professionals, promote consistent application of building codes, improve operational efficiency, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with effective leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to public safety and continuous improvement.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Lead Building Safety Operations: Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of building inspection and plan review activities to ensure consistent application of the North Carolina State Building Code, applicable laws, and City policies.
• Manage and Develop Staff: Supervise and support inspection and plan review personnel, establish performance expectations, evaluate employee performance, promote professional development, and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Provide Technical Expertise and Code Interpretation: Serve as a technical resource on complex building code issues, resolve escalated code interpretation questions, and provide guidance to staff, contractors, design professionals, developers, and other stakeholders.
• Improve Operational Performance: Monitor workload, staffing levels, inspection timelines, plan review performance, and service delivery metrics. Identify and implement process improvements, technology enhancements, and strategies that increase efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Build productive relationships with City departments, regulatory agencies, professional organizations, contractors, developers, and community members. Address complex customer concerns and support effective communication throughout the development process.
• Support Strategic Planning and Code Compliance: Assist with departmental budgeting, resource planning, policy development, and implementation of operational initiatives. Monitor changes to building codes, legislation, and industry standards to ensure continued compliance and organizational readiness.

Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency; 9+ years' experience in supervisory level residential/commercial construction inspection, plans review, construction or related work

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Level III certification in all five of the following: Plumbing Inspection, Mechanical Inspection, Electrical Inspection, Fire Inspector, Building Inspector

Preferred Qualifications:

• International Code Council (ICC) certifications relevant to building inspections, plan review, or building code administration
• Extensive experience administering and enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code in a municipal or county government environment
• Demonstrated experience managing building inspection and plan review operations, including supervising multidisciplinary technical teams
• Advanced knowledge of commercial and residential construction methods, building systems, and applicable codes and standards
• Experience developing operational performance measures, evaluating staffing needs, managing budgets, and implementing process improvements
• Familiarity with electronic permitting, inspection management, and plan review software, including Tyler Technologies EnerGov or similar systems
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors, architects, engineers, developers, and regulatory agencies to resolve complex construction and code compliance issues

Additional Information
Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the North Carolina State Building Code, applicable state statutes, administrative regulations, and local code enforcement procedures
• Thorough understanding of residential and commercial construction methods, materials, structural systems, and building safety principles
• Knowledge of building inspection, construction plan review, permitting, and code compliance operations
• Understanding of supervisory practices, employee development, performance management, and organizational leadership
• Knowledge of budgeting, resource allocation, operational performance measures, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with electronic permitting systems, inspection management technology, and data-driven decision-making

Skill in:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical requirements clearly and professionally
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills for evaluating code compliance issues and developing practical solutions
• Effective conflict resolution, negotiation, and customer service skills when addressing sensitive or complex construction-related matters
• Organizational and project management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, manage resources, and meet service delivery expectations
• Proficiency in interpreting construction documents, evaluating operational data, and using technology to improve business processes

Ability to:

• Interpret and consistently apply complex building codes, laws, regulations, and departmental policies
• Lead teams, establish clear expectations, make sound decisions, and maintain accountability in a dynamic work environment
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City leadership, regulatory agencies, industry professionals, and the public
• Manage competing priorities, respond to complex technical challenges, and make timely decisions while maintaining public safety
• Identify operational inefficiencies, implement improvements, and adapt to evolving technology, legislation, and construction practices
• Balance regulatory enforcement with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach that supports responsible development and excellent customer service

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work on a construction site or in a vehicle.
Work Exposures:
Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures. Employees may occasionally be exposed to loud noises (85+ decibels average over 8-hour working day such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction).

When you join the City of Raleigh's work family as a full-time employee, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future.

To find out about the City's benefits package, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page: https://raleighnc.gov/services/jobs-and-volunteering/pay-and-benefits

The City employs temporary and seasonal employees who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits.
01

Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Some high school
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• PhD or other professional degree

02

How much relevant or comparable work experience do you have in supervisory level residential/commercial construction inspection, plans review, construction or related work?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 to less than 9 years
• 9 to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

03

Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License Class C or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Driver's License.
• I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 60 days of hire.

04

Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from a position?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered "yes" to being terminated or forced to resign, please provide an explanation and the date.
Required Question