Senior Building Official – City of Merritt

Part-Time, Regular
 
About Us
Merritt is centrally located and nestled in the beautiful Nicola Valley. Our strategic orientation is to pursue growth as a progressive, attractive, economically viable city that is socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. Our strength comes from our skilled and dedicated employees and together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to the community we serve.
 
Our Planning and Development team aims to ensure works are compliant with provincial and municipal codes and regulations and that they have occurred as planned and permitted. We do this by reviewing and processing a variety of applications including building permits, demolition permits, sprinkler permits and plumbing permits relating to works on, in, or around buildings or structures on private property. We also conduct inspections to verify that the proposed works have occurred as planned and permitted. To find out more about our Planning and Development Services Department and current projects, visit our website at: www.merritt.ca/development-services/.
 
The Opportunity
Reporting the Planning and Development Services Manager, the Senior Building Official strengthens the City of Merritt’s Planning and Development team by leading and directing the activities of the Building division. The Senior Building Official ensures the safety of buildings in which people live and work in by ensuring the City’s practices and bylaws align with the BC Building Code and other relevant acts and regulations. They set the direction for how the City will make decisions under the BC Building Code and how it is applied. This position trains and mentors junior Building Officials who are pursing certification under the BC Building Act, they build and manage relationships between the City and internal and external stakeholders in the construction industry, including but not limited to builders, development professionals (architects and engineers, energy advisors), property owners, regulators and other City departments.
 
This position develops Building policies, procedures and practices including setting the direction for how the City will make decisions under the BC Building Code and how it is applied by the City of Merritt. In collaboration with the leadership team, updates bylaws, policies and procedures and other official documents by conducting research, preparing reports and making recommendations to City Council, including updating the City’s Building Bylaw to ensure that the City is compliant with regulations such as BC’s Building Code and Energy Step Code.
 
Provides leadership, guidance and mentorship for Building division staff including those working towards certification. They respond to complex inquiries from internal and external stakeholders and manage the administration and enforcement of provincial building regulations such as the BC Building Code and large- scale development projects for the City by performing plan checking ensuring compliance with the BC Building Code for part 3 buildings (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional).

The Senior Building Official builds effective working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to building professionals, builders, property owners and government on behalf of the City. They educate internal and external stakeholders including City Council, Builders, Property Owners and other departments on the BC Building Code, Merritt’s Building Bylaw, divisional procedures and changes under the BC Building Code and BC Step Code along with their implications for new and existing buildings.
 
Key Qualifications