Administrator – Bureau of Construction Services

Posting number: 09958

Department: Business and Neighborhood Services

Job classification: Administrator – Bureau of Construction Services

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration

SummaryAgency Summary  
The purpose and mission of the Department of Business & Neighborhood Services (DBNS) is to protect and improve the quality of life of persons and animals in the City of Indianapolis. DBNS is the City of Indianapolis and Marion County’s principal department responsible for business licenses, residential and commercial permits, and the enforcement of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the Consolidated City and County. The department also oversees operations at the city’s animal shelter, Indianapolis Animal Care Services.

DBNS is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Job Summary
The Bureau of Construction Services (BCS) Administrator is responsible for the complete oversight, including leadership, management, coordination and day-to-day operations of the Bureau. BCS is responsible for the inspection of permitted building construction projects, as well as the investigation of unpermitted building construction projects. Compliance with building codes and local ordinances directly contributes to the safety and quality of life for the citizens and visitors of the City of Indianapolis. The BCS Administrator is expected to function as an expert in residential and commercial building construction and inspections, involving the interpretation and enforcement of building codes and local ordinances. The BCS Administrator also functions as the day-to-day leader of the Emergency Response Leadership Team (ERLT), which is responsible for on-call responses to potential emergency demolition action under Indiana’s Unsafe Building Law. This position contributes to the strategic direction of the Bureau, the Division, and the Department.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve. Examples of duties

• Responsible for the oversight and leadership of the Bureau of Construction Services (BCS). This includes the day-to-day oversight of building inspection and building enforcement processes.
• Responsible for hiring/approval and the direct supervision of the BCS Manager and the BCS management team.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement in inspection and enforcement related processes that may create efficiency and/or transparency. 
• Creates and implements policies pertaining to building inspection processes and other bureau-level processes. Also creates and implements standard operating procedures. Consults with DBNS’ assigned legal counsel prior to the implementation of applicable policies.
• Assists the Deputy Director of the Division of Construction and Business Services in identifying and implementing bureau-level strategic goals and priorities, including the development of appropriate measurements and reports. 
• Coordinates with the Administrators of other bureaus to make informed decisions on issues that may overlap or effect multiple bureaus.
• Makes recommendations for potential ordinance changes. 
• Collaborates and seeks guidance from assigned Human Resources staff on issues related to personnel, injuries, accidents, requests for FMLA, etc.
• Ensures that inspection staff follows safety procedures as described in the Employee Safety Handbook.
• Investigates employee accidents/injuries and prepares reports. 
• Ensures that staff adheres to the City of Indianapolis and Marion County Employee Manual, as well as the current edition of the AFSCME Union Master Agreement with the City-County.
• Provides BCS-related information and responses to the Chief Communications Officer and Public Information Officer upon requests for information.
• Provides responses to members of the City-County Council and the Council’s liaisons upon requests for information.
• Develops and maintains relationships with representatives of various City, County and State agencies, as well as local utility companies, contractors, trade board members, contractors, architects, engineers, property owners, etc.
• Communicates and coordinates with the Indianapolis Fire Department’s (IFD) Fire & Life Safety Division regarding building and fire inspections, enforcement actions, and building occupancy related requests.
• Collaborates with the Marion County Health Department’s Health and Hospital Corporation, and DBNS’ Nuisance Abatement and Unsafe Building sections regarding potential enforcement and/or solutions to buildings which may be considered nuisances or unsafe.
• Attends and speaks at various meetings and hearings as needed. This may include but is not limited to ERLT related presentations to IFD leadership, BCS related presentations for the DBNS Board, various builders’ association meetings, and testifying at hearings or in court.
• Provides information to, and seeks legal advice and guidance from, DBNS’ assigned legal counsel, the Office of Corporation Counsel and the Office of the City Prosecutor. 
• Leads day-to-day Emergency Response Leadership Team (ERLT) and BCS management team responses to potential emergency demolition action. Creates the ERLT on-call schedule.
• Participates in the selection of contracted vendors associated with the emergency demolition process. This includes professional engineers, licensed wrecking contractors, and licensed asbestos inspection/abatement contractors.
• Leads BCS in Rapid Damage Assessments (RDA’s) during severe weather events and other emergency situations in which there is widespread structural damage to buildings.
• Verbal and written communication skills:  this position requires effective and professional communication both internally and externally. The BCS Administrator is the head of the Bureau and is the last line of defense to resolve issues before they escalate outside of the Bureau and the Department. Must be able to clearly articulate, both verbally and in writing, policies, procedures, deficiencies in building code compliance, and potential avenues toward resolution or compliance.
• Customer service:  quality customer service is essential. The Administrator must lead by example and provide customer service that is second to none. Working relationships require a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and persuasiveness, especially where significant building code/life safety considerations are present.
• Documentation and organizational skills:  strong documentation and organizational skills are essential to the success of the Administrator and the Bureau. These are imperative skill sets when it comes to building inspections and related processes.
• Time management:  must be able to prioritize and work on a wide variety of tasks on a daily basis. Ensures the prioritization of emergency situations and life safety building code concerns.
• Attention to detail:  the Administrator must have great attention to detail in the review and application of codes, ordinances, policies and procedures, as well as in the creation and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Exercises independent judgement when making decisions and determining compliance with building codes and local ordinances. Decisions are controlled through the application of laws, rules, regulations, standards, building codes, local ordinances, and City and Department policies and procedures. Errors in judgment may result in significant financial hardships for property owners and contractors, as well as embarrassment and/or liability for the City of Indianapolis.Must utilize independent judgment when identifying and evaluating available data and must exercise sound judgment when evaluating requirements, productivity of staff, and cost effectiveness of programs.  Errors in judgment could cause embarrassment and a loss of productivity to the city.  Freedom to use judgment while assisting in policy formulation and in all types of negotiations. 

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Architecture, Structural Engineering or a related field and five (5) years of experience in a related field.  A combination of experience and education relative to building, design or construction, certifications in building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical or plan examining, etc. may be an acceptable substitution for the educational requirements. ICC’s Certified Building Official (CBO) certification is required within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Incumbent must certify in the appropriate, approved disciplines as prescribed by the Director of the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services in order to maintain employment.
• Must have the ability to be on-call and available twenty-four (24) hours a day and seven (7) days a week on a weekly, rotational basis to respond to possible emergency demolition action.
• Must have the ability to be available to lead Rapid Damage Assessments (RDA’s) during severe weather events and other emergency situations in which there is widespread structural damage to buildings. RDA’s may be required after hours and on weekends.
• Basic knowledge of computers and proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Office is required. This position requires the use of a computer, smartphone, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word, as well as general internet use.
• Must have and retain a valid Indiana Driver’s license and have the ability to operate a city vehicle.
• Ability to obtain and hold Special Police Powers issued by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Ideal candidate will already be certified as an ICC Certified Building Official (CBO) and a minimum seven (7) to ten (10) years of related experience. 
• A minimum of three (3) years of previous management experience is strongly preferred.

If your qualifications meet the requirements of the posted position, your application will be referred to the hiring agency. Once the agency receives your application, all further communication during the interview and selection process will be handled directly BY THE AGENCY. It is IMPERATIVE that you record the contact information of the individual who is scheduling your interview. City-County HR will not have access to this information, is not involved in the interview or selection process, and can only confirm whether an application has been referred. After selection of the successful candidate, an official offer of employment will be made by HR. Supplemental information

• Working hours are primarily spent in a standard office environment.
• Some working hours are spent in the field at construction sites and at buildings which may require emergency demolition action or assessment.
• Telework (work from home) policies are established at the bureau level in accordance with the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County Telework Program Policy & Guidelines. May not apply to all positions or in all circumstances. For positions that are eligible, telework is not a requirement.
• Regular working hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Regular shifts include a one (1) hour lunch break.

Physical Conditions

• While in the field, the employee may be required to walk over rough or uneven terrain surfaces, walk up and down stairs, navigate around trenches or other obstacles, be exposed to noise, dirt, debris and other hazards which are typical at a construction site.
• Work is performed in a variety of weather conditions.
• The employee should have acceptable vision that will allow driving at night and performing inspections and emergency demolition assessments in conditions in which there is low light.
• The employee should have the ability to perceive and hear sounds.