ASSISTANT BUILDING OFFICIAL

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Department

Planning

Location

PLANNING

Position Type

FT Employee

Salary

$78,260.38 - $85,065.64 a year

Requisition

74136

Open Date

06/29/2026

Close Date

07/20/2026

Description

Position is open until Monday, July 20, 2026, at 4:30 PM EST

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This is responsible code enforcement and inspection work involving the review of site and construction plans for new residential, commercial, industrial and municipal buildings and the examination of buildings in the process of construction, renovation or repair to assure conformance with applicable government building codes, standards and construction specifications.

Work involves responsibility for the protection of the public against potentially dangerous conditions resulting from the use of faulty materials or poor workmanship during the construction, renovation or repair of new and existing building structures. Duties include reviewing building plans for code compliance, issuing permits, conducting field inspections of new and renovated or repaired structures, investigating and resolving complaints of building and property maintenance code violations and taking appropriate enforcement measures to protect the public health and to ensure minimum safety standards and welfare of occupants of structures in the City of Norwich. This position also has the responsibility for making difficult inspection decisions, especially as they relate to older structures which may be candidates for condemnation and demolition. This work requires that the employee have thorough knowledge, skill and ability in the inspection of building structures and in the interpretation of codes, ordinances and standards.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direction of the Building Official.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Assumes supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Building Official when designated by the Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews construction plans for new building construction for conformance with codes and regulations. Identifies deficiencies to be corrected by engineers, architects, contractors and homeowners and notifies them of such.
• Inspects buildings in the process of construction, renovation or repairs for compliance with building requirements and approved plans. Directs correction of construction deficiencies in the field and documents approved changes or issues stop work orders for non-compliant work. Determines if complaints about the structural soundness of buildings are valid. Evaluates existing structures and condemns unsafe structures that are not fit for habitation. Recommends evacuation or demolition accordingly.
• Attends meetings and joint inspections with members of the Police, Fire, Zoning, Public Utility and Health Departments. Attends other meetings as directed by Supervisor. Keep records and log of daily activity.
• Attend seminars and other training meetings as required to keep building official license valid.
• Reviews, researches and investigates complaints concerning alleged violations of building and property maintenances codes as received from the Fire Department, Police Department, Health Department, Norwich Public Utilities and tenants. Notifies responsible parties of effects and issues written or oral instructions for corrections. Conducts follow-up inspection to monitor compliance.
• Performs office duties including: Responds to telephone inquiries regarding building and property maintenance cods, issues permits and prepares violation notices. Performs various front desk duties such as receiving permit applications and supporting documentation, receives complaints and answers questions related to codes and ordinances.
• Collaborates with Health, Public Utilities, Fire Departments, and other State and local agencies when their particular expertise is required during inspections.
• Keeps records and writes reports of inspections performed, actions taken and corrections recommended and secured.
• Acts as the Building Official in the absence of that individual.

NONESSENTIAL DUTIES

None.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the provisions of governmental codes pertaining to building construction and property maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods, materials, and techniques of building construction at the journey level.
• Considerable ability to diagnose defects and hazards in building structures.
• Considerable ability to enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.
• Good ability to work with people and communicate clearly, concisely, orally and in writing.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, associates, contractors, property owners and public.

QUALIFICATIONS

High school or vocational school graduate with emphasis on construction, electricity, plumbing, or HVAC, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of building construction. Must meet the eligibility requirements and licensure requirements for Building or Assistant Building Official as prescribed by Connecticut General Statutes.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have current State of Connecticut Building or Assistant Building Official license, plus mandatory continuing education through seminars.
• Must have valid Connecticut driver's license.
• Must have use of private motor vehicle for job related duties.
• Must conform to all on-the-job safety requirements including hard hat and safety glasses wherever required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motor vehicle, building related tools and testing devices, office equipment including photocopier, computer and calculator, and safety equipment such as hard hat and safety glasses.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed both in an office setting and outdoors. Field work is required in the inspection of construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to read and interpret documents such as building codes and to write routine reports and correspondence. This position requires the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to odorous, wet and/or humid conditions, or risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.

Important Information

In order to be considered applicants must demonstrate on their application that they meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the job announcement.

You must reside within the City of Norwich 60 miles from Norwich within one year of appointment.

Examination will consist of 100% written.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Exempt : No

Type : FT Employee

Department : Planning

Location : DEFAULT

Skills