SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDING - BUILDING DEPARTMENTWPMEAGENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESA professional and overall administrative position responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the City's building inspections and other related inspections. Works cooperatively and effectively with City staff, elected officials, contractors, businesses, and the public including providing information regarding construction requirements. Enforces all applicable City and State codes related to construction and soundness of buildings. Oversight of maintenance and repairs of City Hall.
SUPERVISION:Appointed by the Mayor, who the Superintendent of Building directly reports to, and subject to confirmation by majority vote of the city council for a term of three years. Is expected to operate within the parameters of good judgment, established business practice and the law and in accordance with bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the City and State. Performance is reviewed through conferences and administrative reports for overall program effectiveness and is otherwise evaluated in conformity with City policy.
Authorized by the Mayor to supervise and direct, both directly and through subordinates, all personnel of the Building Department.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Performs responsible duties exercising a high degree of independent judgment and initiative in making decisions, conducting building inspections, rendering advice and representing the City's compliance with State building inspection codes. Has primary responsibility for the daily operations of the Building Department comprised of the other City inspectors (Electrical, Plumbing, Building), clerical, and the custodial staff for City Hall. Directs, coordinates, supervises and establishes priorities of staff in the operations of the department in order to ensure the efficient and effective accomplishment of objectives. Assumes direct accountability for department results.
- Promotes and maintains positive and responsive community relations including direct response to citizen complaints as appropriate and in conformity with City policies.
- Is directly responsible for inspecting properties for unsafe conditions and assures timely and compliant inspections of buildings in conformity with State Building Code and related codes such as Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations. In timely manner, takes such actions as lawful and appropriate with respect thereto.
- Is ultimately responsible for assuring timely and accurate inspections of buildings in conformity with applicable plumbing, gas fitting and electrical codes.
- Regularly reviews maintenance of City Hall; directs maintenance and repair of such building and the staff assigned thereto. Also responsible for monitoring, securing and sealing up abandoned buildings or buildings managed by the City to ensure they are closed up properly and safe from vandalism or unnecessary damage of pipes and electrical.
- Enforces city zoning ordinance and reviews plans and specifications for conformity with City subdivision requirements. Reviews and enforces decisions of Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and the Conservation Board.
- Provides or causes to be provided information to contractors and other members of the public with respect to City building requirements.
- Recommends fee structures and administers and oversees fee system in conformity with City and State requirements.
- Attends meetings with other City officials and boards as required so as to promote harmonious and positive interdepartmental relations; meets with state, regional and federal agencies as warranted.
- Responsible for personnel management. Reviews, establishes and implements department rules, regulations and policies. Assures orientation, training and evaluation of employees in conformity with City requirements. Consistent with authorization, union contracts and relevant City policies, schedules work, approves employee leave requests and engages in employee disciplinary actions and such other personnel actions as necessary to assure productive and effective operations. Coordinates department functions with other City departments to assure unified progress towards City objectives.
- Responsible for the day-to-day business operation and administration of the Building Department. Prepares department's annual budget and presents and advocates during City budget process. Monitors and oversees the departments' responsibility of permit reporting in MUNIS in conformity with City requirements. Monitors and reviews the expenditures to ensure adherence to budget limitations. Reviews and approves as authorized department purchases in conformity with City procurement policies. Maintains records of accounts receivable and payable being certain that internal records and City generated reports are in agreement. Oversees departmental record keeping procedures and methods are in conformity with overall City policies.
- Attends and participates in all City department head meetings, City Council meetings, or such other meetings as requested to attend. Attends and participates in local, regional, and state-wide committees and professional organizations, providing input and advice on various issues as appropriate.
- May be assigned any other responsibilities and duties designated by the Mayor and or the City Council.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Must qualify and be a certified Inspector of Buildings/Building Commissioner by the Massachusetts State BBRS (Board of Building Regulations and Standards) in accordance with the provisions of Special Regulation 780 CMR 110.R7. In addition, at least five (5) years of experience in the supervision of building construction or design or in the alternative a four-year undergraduate degree in a field related to building construction or design. A valid driver's license required. Three (3) years supervisory management experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:- General knowledge of the quality and strength of building materials; general knowledge of accepted requirements for building construction, fire prevention, light, ventilation, safe egress; and the requirements of M.G.L. Chapter 22, Section 13A and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto pertaining to accessible design standards, and general knowledge of other equipment and material essential for safety, comfort and convenience of the occupants of a building or structure.
- Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of municipal government and intergovernmental relations including general administrative, financial and management practices, contract preparation and estimation, and personnel management. Knowledge of principles and techniques of public relations. Broad knowledge of City mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities and departmental operations.
- Position requires independent ability to make decisions and to analyze situations. Ability to prioritize responsibilities and to carry out assigned projects to their completion while meeting schedules and timelines. Ability to demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, timely and seamless customer service.
- Ability to interact and work cooperatively with city and state officials, board/commission members, contractors, employees and the general public; ability to supervise and evaluate the work of subordinates; ability to maintain good public relations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to translate technical information into laymen's terms. Ability to prepare budgets; ability to plan, organize and direct the preparation of reports, analyze problems and formulate recommendations.
- Proven skills in use of personal computers, basic software programs, and Internet applications. Familiar with basic office machinery - fax, copier, calculator, etc. Working knowledge and ability to learn MUNIS software system, as well as, any other software assigned to meet departmental needs.
JOB ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSWork is administrative in nature and performed both indoors and outdoors. Much of the work is not sedentary in nature as it is done on site in the field while engaged in inspections of building and other sites. Ability to access all such sites to assure code compliance is required. Work may be performed in adverse weather conditions and may be performed at night.
Fine manipulation skills are required for computer use. Required to stand, sit, and walk. Required to speak and hear and use hands to handle tools, operate equipment and material and reaching with hands and arms. Vision requirements needed in inspections and field work and include the ability to read and analyze documents and use a computer and various office equipment. May be required to attend evening meetings and work beyond normal business hours as needed. May need to work weekend hours in the case of an emergency.
Ability to carryout the functions and duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of this position as described in the necessary knowledge, ability and skills for dexterity and communication.
Miscellaneous Information 
