Chief Building Official

Salary : $82,561.00 - $103,201.00 Annually
Location : Payson, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-123
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 11/13/2026

Purpose of the Job
The purpose of this position is to ensure that construction in Gila County results in safe and sanitary buildings that are fit for use and occupancy.

This position supervises the administration and enforcement of the adopted Building Codes. The position supports staff by answering code questions and resolving issues, meets with inspectors and plan reviewers regularly, discusses projects with customers, produces publications to promote compliance, participates in and provides training and attends regular meetings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regulary assigns work to other employees and supervises related activities.

Makes final decisions on scheduling work hours of employees and granting time off.

Provides recommendations on evaluating employee performance; employee training; employee coaching and counseling; handling employee grievances and complaints; employee promotions; hiring employees and employee disciplinary actions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TIME SPENT

• Provides support for Building Safety staff by researching and answering code questions, resolving problems, and dealing with difficult issues and/or customers; provides support/advice to other Community Development staff, as needed.

35%

• Meets with inspectors and plan reviewers regularly to discuss interpretation and enforcement to resolve differences and ensure consistency.

15%

• Meets with customers to discuss proposed projects, answer questions, resolve problems, and/or negotiate alternative ways of meeting intent of code when letter of code cannot be met.

15%

• Produces handouts, details, memos and guidelines to promote compliance with applicable regulations, statutes and ordinances; conducts research, composes draft ordinances and schedules public meetings required to update Building Codes.

15%

• Participates in and provides opportunities for training; ensures staff has necessary resources and tools.

10%

• Attends regular meetings to exchange information, discuss current problems/issues and to work on projects/assignments.

10%

• Performs other duties as assigned.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES

This position provides research support on departmental level budget.

PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides project resource allocation based on pre-approved resources involving quality assurance projects; capital development projects and process improvement projects.

ORAL COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position trains colleagues, explains County procedures or processes, responds to public inquiries, participates in meetings and negotiates or persuades.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails, reports, formal letters and proposals.

INTERACTIONS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Interacts extensively with employees, customers, the general public, vendors, regulatory bodies, and other groups and/or individuals and Institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.

INTERACTIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH CUSTOMERS

Regularly (More than 55% but less than 70% in a year)

Minimum Education/Directly Related Experience Required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field is desired, and five (5) years' experience in building code plan review or inspection. Minimum three (3) years of supervisory experience in the public sector; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstates the ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS REQUIRED/PREFERRED

Must possess a minimum of four (4) ICC Certifications in Inspections or Plan Review at time of hire. ICC Certified Building Official preferred.

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Customer and personal service, architecture, building and construction, Federal, State, Local laws, regulations, statutes and law enforcement. Knowledge of local ordinances, Arizona regulations and codes. Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of the building industry and Commercial and Residential Building Codes.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Active listening, analytical writing, reading, communicating diplomatically, customer service, problem solving, developing alternative solutions, critical thinking, time management and multi-tasking.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

Express self through written words, solve problems using deductive reasoning, perform mathematical operations, consider options, risks and benefits, read and write at professional level.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally stands to present; regularly sits to complete report, operate computers, complete a program and to attend to other duties.
• May be required to lift work related materials, equipment or tools of more than 50 lbs in weight.
• Regularly requires dexterity for keyboard operation, may be required to routinely walk to and from work sites, bend and stoop.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbents in this position constantly spends time in office environment; in lobby environment; classroom(s); in and around outside construction areas; and occasionally spends time in automobile.

SAFETY RISK EXPOSURE

Incumbents in this position may become exposed to telephone verbal abuse by customers or citizens; may encounter individuals with high level of emotional distress; may become exposed to physical danger, such as falling debris or slippery floors.

PROTECTIVE GEAR & SAFETY MANUALS

Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department. Routinely requires safety footwear, hearing protection devices and hard hat.

CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR

Potential errors can have legal ramifications, loss of funding, loss of organization's credibility.
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