HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 98-148 Title Classification Building and Safety Dept 1111
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
City of Palm Desert
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER
FROM: JOHN WOHLMUTH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION MODIFYING THE TITLE, CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
AND SALARY AND THE ALLOCATED POSITION WITHIN THE BUILDING
& SAFETY DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 10, 1998
I. RECOMMENDATION:
Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No.98-148 amending Resolution No. 98-92,
Salary Schedule, Ranges, and Allocated Classification to establish a Deputy Building
Official position, addition of a Building Inspector I/II position and removal of the
Supervising Plans Examiner position.
II. BACKGROUND:
On July 13, 1998,the City Manager directed a study be undertaken to evaluate the Building
& Safety Department. The study was conducted with the following objectives in mind:
Prepare an overall assessment of the Building& Safety Department
- Recommend staffing and recruitment plan
Review plan check and building inspection process
Identify management and morale issues
- Make training recommendations
Attached for the City Council review is the executive summary and final evaluation of the
Building& Safety Department.
The Supervising Plans Examiner (currently a vacant position) was primarily a plans
examiner and rarely a supervisor. Staff recommends modifying the classification of this
position to provide management assistance in the Building & Safety Department. The new
i
City Council Staff Report
classification of Deputy Building Official will have the responsibility to oversee the
development process including both the plan check and inspection process. The new
organization chart places one of the support staff position under the Deputy Building
Official. Staff has prepared a draft classification description attached hereto. The
recommended salary level is 775.
Current Recommended Current Recommended
Position Position Salary/Range Salary/Range
No Position Deputy Building 4420-5129 4498-5467
Official Range 740 Range 775
(Recommended Range is 17%
less than the Director and 6%
above Supervising Plans
Examiner)
The other recommended action is to allocate an additional building inspector. The inspection
staff has not grown substantially in a decade. The number of inspections that are requested
by contractors have increased 81%during the last two years. The additional inspections are
currently handled by the Building Inspector Supervisor. His duties and responsibilities and
pay range are at a far greater level than that of the inspectors. In addition, his duties and
responsibilities include daily assignments,daily review of inspection logs,periodic training,
code interpretation, inspection resolution, supervision, etc. It is essential that the City free
up the Building Inspection Supervisor to supervise, assist and train inspectors.
I Concur:
Jo M. WO lmuth Ramon A. Diaz
/Aslstant City Manager/ City Manager
'Ilirector of Administrative Services CITY COUNCIL
TIOIx•
APPROVED
RECEIVED DBNII;D�z
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IEETI. 0 DATE — TO:
YES: — 46
AE33T�s � c
VERIFZ D BY:
Original on File writ it Clerk's Office
Revised: 11/98 ITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL
C/ass specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the
class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
To manage and oversee the plans examination, inspection and documentation activities and operations of
the development process. Supervise, assign and review the work of staff; oversee and participate
operations of the assign and review the work of staff responsible for building plans examination; to oversee
and participate in all work activities; to perform special investigations involving unusual applications of
building codes and regulations; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of
responsibility.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Director of Building and Safety.
Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.
ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important
responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
1. Assume full management responsibility for building inspection and plans examination services and
activities including prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff responsible for City
building inspection, permit issuance, and building plans examinations; ensure compliance with laws,
building codes; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
2. Ensure plans, structural calculations, and specifications comply with related codes and regulations;
enforce applicable codes.
3. Develop and implement most efficient methods of recording information, storage of information and
retrieval of development and construction information.
4. Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; recommend and implement
approved policies and procedures.
5. Establish schedules and methods for providing plan checking services and overseeing the building
inspection; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate supervisory staff; allocate
resources accordingly.
6. Participate in the selection of plans examination and building inspection staff; provide or coordinate
staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures and
termination procedures.
7. Assist in training technical staff and communicating building code information to technical staff.
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
Deputy Building Official (Continued)
8. Prepare various reports on operations and activities.
9. Consult with engineers, architects, contractors, and property owners regarding building plans.
10. Make recommendations to the Director on advancements and improvements in technology to improve
efficiency of technical staff.
•
11. Investigate new materials and substitute materials, and new methods of structural design; recommend
changes in building codes and regulations.
12. Consult with or assist lower level staff regarding technical and procedural issues; reconcile resultant
confrontations between code enforcers and the private sector; consult with building inspection and
plans examination staff.
13. Represent Building and Safety Department on zoning deliberations and major project coordination
meetings.
14. Participate in the preparation and administration of the plans examination and building inspection
budgets; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
15. Prepare analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.
Marginal Functions:
1. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in
the field of construction and renovation of buildings.
2. • Represent the Building and Safety Department at Architectural Review Board meetings.
3. May lead and/or participate in appropriate functions consistent with the City's goals and objectives
of enhancing communication and participatory management.
4. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a building plans examination program.
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Modern and complex principles and practices of construction and safety related to buildings.
Principles of engineering as they relate to the building codes.
Computer graphics programs which can demonstrate solutions to problematic construction issues.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to the construction of buildings in
all phases.
•
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
Deputy Building Official (Continued)
Ability to:
Supervise, organize, and review the work of lower level staff.
Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
Prepare clear and concise reports.
Apply various building codes to construction documents.
Use word processing, multi-functional graphics, and engineering design software on a personal computer.
Read and interpret electrical, structural, plumbing, and mechanical building plans, codes, and
specifications.
Apply mathematical means to verify calculations to ensure that specifications and drawings are in
compliance with applicable codes.
Find alternate solutions to engineering and/or constructions problems.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including
City officials and the general public.
Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating
• intellectual capabilities.
Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful
performance of assigned duties.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities
is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible plans examination, building inspections or structural
engineering experience, including two years of supervisory or lead responsibility.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work
in engineering, public administration, or a related field.
License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, appropriate, valid certification as follows:
Plans Examiner Certificate
Building Inspector Certificate
Combination Inspector Certificate
Plumbing, Electrical and/or Mechanical Certificate.
California Professional Engineering License (Desired)
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CITY OF PALM DESER 1
Deputy Building Official (Continued)
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Office environment; may work at a centralized public counter; exposure to computer screens.
Also, to perform field work (as necessary).
Physical Conditions:
Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or for
sitting for prolonged periods of time, and field work (as necessary).
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RESOLUTION NO. 98-148
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 98-92,
SALARY SCHEDULE,RANGES AND ALLOCATED POSITIONS BY
ADDING A DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL, ONE BUILDING
INSPECTOR I/II AND DELETING A SUPERVISING PLANS •
EXAMINER
WHEREAS,the City of Palm Desert has completed a study and evaluation on the Building
& Safety Department;
WHEREAS, the study recommended solutions to the identified issues, including but not
limited to staffing changes;
WHEREAS,the Supervising Plans Examiner position is currently vacant,allowing the City
to recruit for the most suitable candidates for a Deputy Building Official; and
WHEREAS, the study recommends adding one Building Inspector due to the increasing
number of requested inspections over the last two and half years.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California, that Section 1 of Resolution No. 98-92 be amended as follows:
Adding Salary Schedule. Ranges and Allocated Classifications:
AUTHORIZED
POSITION CLASSIFICATION GRADE POSITIONS
30047 Deputy Building Official 775 1
30015/30008 Building Inspector I/II 480/560 1/3
Deleting the allocated classification:
AUTHORIZED
POSITION CLASSIFICATION GRADE POSITIONS
20012 Supervising Plans 740 0
Examiner
Resolution No. 98-14R r-
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of Palm
Desert held on this 10 thday of December , 1998,by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Benson, Crites, Ferguson, Kelly, Spiegel .
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
/4%/1/7#
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ROBERT A. SPI' E OR
A!TEST:
SHEILA R. IGAN, Y CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESE