ASSISTANT CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL

Code: 05728 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Assists the Construction Official in overall administrative responsibility for administering and enforcing provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Reviews applications for completeness as to form and for verification of prior approvals. Request additional documentation concerning prior approvals as necessary. Prepares and obtains reports. Attends meetings and hearings. Makes field inspections when problems develop. May act as subcode official for any subcode in which qualified to act as a subcode official. Assumes all duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Construction Official in his/her absence. May assist the Construction Official in the following duties: Directing, planning, organizing, and supervising staff and activities concerned with carrying out the regulations of the NJ Uniform Construction Code. Developing the work program with effective/appropriate procedures, analyzing inspection problems, and establishing appropriate work methods. Executing plans for effective utilization of available funds, personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. Preparing a budget and maintaining balances. Establishing personnel rules/policies within the unit and in recommending policies or changes in policy and procedures to appropriate officials. Arranging for contractual inspections when necessary and reviewing reports submitted by contracted agency. Enforcing regulations of the NJ Uniform Construction Code. Providing applications for construction work and assisting the public in preparing applications. Determining the proper fee for the work required, collecting all fees/penalties, and ensuring that funds are properly accounted for on receipt of the completed application. Ensuring that subcode officials shall have an adequate time period to review appropriate applications, plans, and specifications. Ensuring that requests for variation are properly prepared, documented, and referred to the appropriate subcode officials. Issuing construction permit certificates of occupancy, and temporary certificates of occupancy on receipt of the approval of all appropriate subcode officials. Recording notices of violation on receiving notification of the appropriate subcode official, and determining penalties for noncompliance with the penalty notices. Ensuring that required inspections are scheduled/performed on time and that reports of inspections are completed and properly filed. Recording stop work orders as notified by the appropriate subcode official. Ensuring that final inspections have been completed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy and that inspections required for that purpose have been completed prior to issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy. Ensuring in the case of a change of use or on a request for a certificate of continued occupancy that each subcode official gives approval based on an inspection and the review of all submitted data before issuing a certificate of continued occupancy. Coordinating activities of subcode officials in enforcement of provisions of the energy subcode. Preparing for an appeal before the Construction Board of Appeals and appearing before the Board, in filing necessary court complaints, and making court appearances in the various courts of appeals when required. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Applicants must possess a license as a Construction Official issued by the Department of Community Affairs. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of principles of management and supervision and of the administration of a local enforcement agency including record keeping, preparation of reports, personnel procedures, and budget preparation. Knowledge of record keeping requirements under the NJ Uniform Construction Code including permit and certificate of occupancy records, variation application records, and violation files and records. Knowledge of the method of establishing/maintaining proper review/approval procedures for permit applications to ensure compliance with the construction code and applicable laws/ordinances. Knowledge of legal methods of code enforcement; of the purpose/fundamentals of stop orders and notices of penalties and court action; of the powers/procedures available to deal with hazardous conditions and emergency situations; of procedures for processing cases involving condemnations and other violations of the subcodes; of requiring/obtaining/issuing search warrants; of legal responsibilities of inspection personnel; and of other related legislation. Knowledge of building subcode provisions including structural requirements and durability and weatherability requirements; of electrical subcode provisions including minimum service and appliances and basic circuits; of elevator subcode provisions; of fire prevention code provisions including special permits required, storage/handling of goods/materials, maintenance of exit facilities and maintenance of fire protection equipment; of fire protection subcode provisions including height/area requirements, fire resistance, flame spread, and combustibility requirements; of plumbing subcode provisions including sanitary waste disposal, water supply, venting, and required facilities. Knowledge of the technical knowledge/abilities for the appropriate subcode official's license that are commensurate with the level (HHS, ICS, RCS) which has been established by the jurisdiction for the enforcing agency. Ability to establish/maintain cooperative working relationships with local/state government officials, staff members, and the public. Ability to evaluate programs/procedures. Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate activities of diversified units. Ability to exercise independent judgment in evaluating situations and in making determinations. Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods. Ability to prepare and supervise preparation of clear, concise, accurate, and informative reports. Ability to analyze and interpret the NJ Uniform Construction Code. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Where the construction official also serves as one or more sub code officials, applicants must possess the appropriate sub code official license and, will be required to possess a technical license of the appropriate level (HHS, ICS, RCS) in a specified discipline (building inspector, electrical inspector, fire protection inspector, plumbing inspector, or elevator inspector.