Chief Code Administrator

Department of Planning & Codes

Class Title: Chief Code Administrator

Department: Planning & Codes

Class Definition

Under the general direction of the Director of Planning & Codes, the Chief Code Administrator serves as the City's Building Code Official and provides technical, administrative, supervisory, and operational oversight of building code administration, construction inspections, property maintenance/code enforcement, and related activities of the Department of Planning & Codes. The position assists the Director in managing departmental operations, supervises assigned personnel, coordinates emergency response involving unsafe or damaged structures, and promotes consistent application and enforcement of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted International Codes, and applicable City ordinances. The position is administrative and is classified as exempt.

Essential Duties, Knowledge, and Responsibilities

The following duties are illustrative of the work performed and are not intended to be all-inclusive or exclusive. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Serves as the Building Code Official (BCO) for the City and performs the duties and responsibilities associated with that designation under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
• Assists the Director of Planning & Codes with the day-to-day administration and operation of the Department, particularly building inspection, code enforcement, property maintenance, and construction-code functions.
• Provides supervisory oversight of assigned inspectors, code officers, and compliance personnel, including work assignments, scheduling, field supervision, technical assistance, training, quality control, performance evaluations, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Serves as a technical resource and senior field authority for complex construction, building-code, property-maintenance, unsafe-structure, and enforcement matters.
• Serves on the Historic District Commission as the Code Administrator and attends other boards, commissions, hearings, and meetings as assigned.
• Serves in an on-call capacity for emergency response and call-outs from the Easton Police Department, Easton Fire Department, Northampton County, and other governmental or emergency-response agencies as necessary.
• Coordinates emergency building and property assessments involving unsafe, structurally compromised, fire-damaged, or otherwise hazardous structures with Police, Fire, Public Works, Emergency Management, utility providers, engineers, contractors, and other agencies as necessary.
• Reviews construction documents and performs or coordinates plan reviews and inspections for compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted codes, approved construction documents, and applicable City ordinances.
• Performs inspections during all phases of residential and commercial construction and performs other inspections of residential, commercial, mixed-use, and other properties within the authority of the Department.
• Coordinates the work of third-party plan review and inspection agencies utilized by the City and reviews submitted documentation for completeness and compliance.
• Oversees the proper administration and closeout of building permits, Certificates of Occupancy, inspection reports, notices, orders, and related construction-code documentation.
• Orders or directs appropriate action regarding unsafe conditions in existing structures, including securing structures, issuing or arranging condemnation notices, coordinating emergency orders, and requiring corrective measures as authorized by applicable law.
• Issues notices, orders, stop-work orders, correction notices, and other enforcement documents authorized by applicable codes and ordinances.
• Investigates code violations; prepares documentation, photographs, reports, notices, and other evidence; and prosecutes or assists in the prosecution of violations of municipal ordinances and applicable codes.
• Appears before appropriate boards, courts, Magisterial District Judges, or other proceedings and provides testimony concerning inspections, violations, enforcement actions, and technical code matters when required.
• Explains applicable construction-code and municipal requirements to architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, developers, attorneys, residents, and members of the public.
• Provides field and classroom training for departmental personnel regarding inspections, investigations, community engagement, documentation, report writing, code interpretation, enforcement procedures, and safety.
• Conducts quality-control review of inspection and enforcement activities to promote consistent application of codes, ordinances, departmental procedures, and documentation standards.
• Maintains accurate records and ensures permit, inspection, enforcement, and related information is properly entered and maintained in the City's electronic permitting and code-enforcement systems.
• Generates and reviews reports, workload information, and performance data to assist with staffing, enforcement priorities, budgeting, cost control, and departmental planning.
• Coordinates with Planning/Zoning, Fire, Police, Public Works, Engineering, Health, Legal, and other City departments or outside agencies on matters involving overlapping regulatory responsibilities.
• Actively engages the community through code education and outreach concerning building safety, property maintenance, permitting, compliance, and City programs.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining standard operating procedures, inspection protocols, departmental policies, and internal quality-control measures.
• Monitors changes to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted International Codes, state regulations, and applicable municipal ordinances and assists with implementation of required operational changes.
• Assists the Director with budgeting, purchasing, staffing needs, operational planning, work procedures, schedules, workflow, and cost-control activities associated with assigned programs.
• Provides operational leadership and continuity for assigned Planning & Codes functions in the absence of the Director, within authority delegated by the Director or City administration.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify problems, develop practical solutions, manage multiple complex objectives under time constraints, complete work within established time frames, and communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, mobile devices, and related software.
• Regular field work at active construction sites, occupied and vacant buildings, damaged or unsafe structures, exterior properties, and other locations where uneven surfaces, stairs, ladders, weather conditions, dust, noise, and construction activity may be present.
• Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, reach, and access areas necessary to conduct inspections, consistent with applicable safety requirements.
• Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Visual ability and hand-eye coordination sufficient to review plans, printed materials, field conditions, computer screens, and inspection documentation.
• Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, radio, electronic communication, and during meetings or hearings.
• Ability to respond to emergency call-outs and work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, when required.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• High school diploma or GED required. An associate degree or higher in construction technology, engineering, architecture, public administration, code enforcement, or a related field is preferred.
• Progressively responsible experience in building construction, building inspection, code enforcement, engineering, architecture, or a closely related field is required; municipal experience and supervisory experience are preferred.
• Working knowledge of building construction methods and materials, code administration, inspections, plan review, enforcement procedures, recordkeeping, and municipal operations.
• Ability to supervise personnel, establish priorities, coordinate workflow, provide technical direction, and communicate effectively with staff, other departments, contractors, design professionals, property owners, and the public.
• Ability to use computers, mobile devices, electronic permitting/code-enforcement systems, document-management systems, and standard office software.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and ability to travel to inspection sites and emergency locations as required.

Required Certifications

• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry certified Building Code Official.
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code and International Code Council certification in the following categories: Commercial Building Inspector, Commercial Electrical Inspector, Commercial Plumbing Inspector, Commercial Mechanical Inspector, and Commercial Energy Inspector.
• Commercial Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry/International Code Council must be obtained within one (1) year of appointment to the position, with no more than two attempts to achieve the certification.
• Additional certifications, licenses, or continuing education may be required during employment based on changes to law, code requirements, or the operational needs of the City.

Failure to attain or maintain required certifications and licenses within the time specified may result in demotion to a lower-paying position, if available, or termination of employment.

Other Requirements

The successful applicant will be subject to an extensive background check before employment.