Building Official

City of Claremont

Open until sufficient applications received; Apply immediately. First reviews of applications shall occur around March 29, 2024.

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The City of Claremont is a suburb of Los Angeles that is unlike any community in Southern California. Sunset Magazine named Claremont "The Best Suburb in the West." Money Magazine listed Claremont as one of the "Best Places to Live." The City has won awards in environmental stewardship, municipal budgeting, urban planning, and recreational programming.

Being the best is a philosophy Claremont employees put into practice every day. The City has a reputation for being a premier city in California, with cutting edge programs and a dedication to the public engagement process. If you are considering working for the City of Claremont, ask yourself....

• Are you ready to experience a different kind of City? A City that challenges convention, embraces innovation, and demands excellence?
• Do you have the passion, drive, and commitment to succeed in a fast paced, service-driven environment?
• The City of Claremont is known for its stellar service and quality leadership that is a result of a conscious effort by management to select only the brightest and best employees. Do you have the leadership skills to inspire those around you to greatness?
• The City of Claremont produces innovative programs that are setting the bar for municipalities across the country. Do you enjoy a challenging environment that will push you to be the best in your field?

If you answered these questions with YES, consider applying to be our next Building Official!

The Position

The City of Claremont is recognized throughout the state as an innovative, fast paced, energetic, and dynamic organization. This is an exciting opportunity to work for the City of Claremont in one of its most complex departments.

Under general direction of the Community Development Director, the Building Official will plan, organize, direct, and review the operations and activities of the Building Division. He/she will assume responsibility for planning and implementing all City actions related to setting and ensuring compliance with building standards including plan check inspection and correction of hazards, and as Building Official, will approve plans and specifications.

Other duties will include managing and preparing the division budget; supervising, evaluating and training staff; preparing analytical reports; and providing building code information to contractors, engineers, and the public. He/she may make inspections of residential and commercial structures under construction; discuss conformance problems with contractors and foremen; and resolve disputes between City and contractors. Some exciting new projects the new Building Official will be working on are the Claremont McKenna College Science Center, Claremont Colleges Inc. Student Center, Claremont Graduate University developments, various other Claremont Colleges projects, Village South Specific Plan, and new infill affordable and market rate housing developments.

Ideal Candidate

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

The next Building Official will have five years of progressively responsible experience in the building trades e.g. building inspector, building contractor, architect, structural engineer, and/or enforcement of building codes; two years supervisory level experience is highly desirable. They will have a High School diploma or equivalent, a valid California C driver's license, and possess an International Code Council (ICC) certificate as a Building Official. Highly desirable is a bachelor's degree in a closely related field, municipal experience, and ICC certification as a Plans Examiner.

KEY ABILITIES :

The City is looking for a Building Official who has the knowledge of principles, practices, and methods associated with developing building standards, plan check, and inspection. He/she will be a strong leader and creative problem solver with strong interpersonal and managerial skills. The ideal candidate will be someone who listens, is approachable and accessible, and committed to creating a teamwork environment. He/she will be able to communicate effectively and persuasively in both written reports and when making public reports.

The next Building Official shall be proficient in the use of a personal computer, laptop and iPad, and shall have the ability to use them and related software programs, in the preparation of agenda reports, PowerPoint presentations, and correspondence with staff, community members, and outside agencies. Highly desirable is experience with HDL for building permits.

Additional Information

BUILDING DIVISION:

The Building Division is part of the Community Development Department, which also includes the Planning Division and Engineering Division. These three divisions regulate construction and occupancy of buildings in accordance with local, County, State, and Federal laws. The Building Division has 6 full-time employees which includes 3 employees within the Community Improvement Division.

Functions of the Building Division include:

• Enforce building standards to safeguard life, health, and property through plan review and inspection procedures.
• Verify State contractor's licensing, workers' compensation insurance, and City business taxes and licenses prior to permit issuance.
• Verify project approvals and payment of fees to other City divisions, departments, and outside agencies.
• Perform on-site building inspections within 48 business hours of requests for new construction or remodeling to ensure compliance with approved plans and applicable requirements, conditions, standards, regulations, and codes.
• Provide timely and thorough review of building plans for compliance with disabled access, energy, fire and life safety, architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical regulations.
• Coordinate and monitor the plan review and approval processes by other City divisions, departments, and outside agencies, and verify that all fees and assessments have been paid prior to approval of plans and issuance of permits. Agencies include City departments, Los Angeles County Fire, Health and Sanitation Departments, SCAQMD, Division of Occupational Safety and Health/Elevator Unit, and the Claremont Unified School District. Conduct regular Citywide inspections and respond quickly to citizen complaints for enforcing minimum development, housing, fire and life safety standards to ensure the safety of our citizens.
• Maintain the Citizen Contact Log regarding complaints and follow-up with enforcement procedures for illegal construction and housing violations observed by staff and the public at large.
• Maintain and update the HdL automated permit software system for efficient and quick issuance of permits, tracking of plan checks, inspection records, expiration notices, certificates of occupancy, building reports, Internet access for permit status, and online permits.
• Perform records management and retention by preparing final permits for imaging and preparing plans and supportive documents for microfilming for use by the public.
• Submit building permit data electronically to Los Angeles County Tax Assessor's Office for faster allocation of City's share of property tax.
• Provide overall management of Building and Community Improvement divisions, which includes personnel administration, budget monitoring and preparation, establishment of goals and policies, contract administration, training coordination, and response to public concerns. Provide timely oral and/or written comments on proposed private and City projects going through the development review process with current planning, and regularly attend Development Review Committee meetings and Council and Commission meetings when applicable.
• Perform as City's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator to oversee compliance with the various ADA regulations, respond to citizen special accessibility need requests and complaints, and implement and enforce ADA and Fair Housing Act where applicable.
• Manage the City’s code enforcement division

THE COMMUNITY:

Located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles on the lower slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont is best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, world renowned colleges, and award-winning school system.

Claremont provides the atmosphere of a New England town within comfortable driving distances of major Southern California attractions, sports stadiums, and the Ontario International Airport. Sunset Magazine described Claremont in this manner, "College towns like this one may be commonplace on the East Coast, but Claremont, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, stands out as a singular example in Southern California." Metrolink Rail Authority also named Claremont a Preferred Destination Point.

The City has a population of 35,949 people calling Claremont their home. Within the City's 14.14 square miles, Claremont has 24 city-owned parks and sports fields, with 2,555 acres of public park land, of which 1,769 is wilderness. Claremont has over 24,000 City trees and has been a winner of the National Arbor Day Association's TREE CITY USA award for 30 consecutive years.

Claremont's success is not accidental, but the result of a long tradition of creating and encouraging community cooperatives and involvement in civic affairs, which has also worked successfully in the areas of business and economic retention and development. The City of Claremont exemplifies the quality of a model city, and is viewed and respected as a leader in local government.

CITY GOVERNMENT:

Claremont is a general law city that uses the Council-Manager form of government. A general law city is one that operates under laws and rules established by the State of California.

The City Manager is hired by and responsible to the City Council. It is the responsibility of the City Manager and City staff to implement Council policies and ensure the smooth day-to-day delivery of municipal services. The City Council also appoints a City Attorney to provide legal counsel to the City organization.

The City Council is comprised of five members elected at large for four years. The terms of offices are staggered, with three members elected at one general municipal election and two at the next. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of odd-numbered years.

The City Council and staff is committed to fulfilling its mission to deliver the highest quality service possible to our community in a balanced and equitable manner. The City Council has identified the following Council priorities for 2019: Preserve our natural, cultural, and historic resources; Maintain financial stability; Invest in the maintenance and improvement of our infrastructure; Increase livability in our neighborhoods and expand opportunities for our business; ensure the safety of our community; promote community engagement through transparency and communication.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This position offers a highly competitive salary with an attractive and competitive benefit package as outlined below. The starting salary for this position will be based on the competitive labor market and the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.

The City of Claremont offers an attractive and competitive benefits package, including:

• 2% at 55 PERS retirement (Classic Members), Employee pays 7% of salary; 2% at 62 PERS retirement (New Member), Employee pays 5.75% of salary
• $1,014 a month for medical allowance, with any remaining money deposited into employee's ICMA deferred compensation account or taken as taxable income
• 96 hours - 160 vacation hours based on years of service
• 113.5 holiday/floating holiday hours
• 140 hours of Administrative Leave
• 96 sick hours (may bring up to 200 hours of sick leave from current employer)
• $350 monthly car allowance
• Annual technology reimbursement up to $1,500 per year
• $75,000 life insurance on employee and $10,000 on dependents
• Monday through Thursday work week (9.5 hours per day for 38 hours a week)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates can apply for this position online and obtain additional information at the City of Claremont website www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Claremont is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process or in the performance of their duties must specify the accommodations needed, in writing, at the time when the employment application is submitted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Claremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.

City of Claremont Employees in CMA are entitled to the following benefits:

HEALTH, WELFARE, AND SAVINGS BENEFIT: The City shall contribute$1,014 per month towards any offered health plans, two dental plans, and a vision plan. Should the total cost of premiums for benefits selected under the plan exceed the City's monthly contribution, the overage will be paid by the employee via pre-tax payroll deductions. If an employee has medical, dental, and/or vision through other means, the employee is able to submit proof of other coverage and receive this amount as taxable income.

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City offers a number of health plans through KeenanInsurance.

DENTAL INSURANCE: The City offers a choice of two dental plans. One is an indemnity plan, which allows you to go to the dentist of your choice (no orthodontia coverage). The other is a direct service plan in which you must select and receive care at one of the dental offices or centers provided by the plan (orthodontia coverage).

VISION INSURANCE: The City also offers enrollment in a vision plan, which provides a vision examination each year and lenses and frames or contacts every year.

LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a life insurance policy of $75,000 for themselves and $10,000 for any dependents you elect to insure. There are also optional insurance programs which can be taken with an employee if they leave City service.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN (SECTION 125): Claremont offers a flexible benefit plan which allows employees to pay for certain expenses (child care, unreimbursed medical expenses, and insurance premiums) with pre-tax dollars.

VACATION: Employees are entitled to a paid vacation of 96 hours following one year of employment. (employees may take accrued vacation after six months of employment). From the second year of employment until completion of the ninth year, employees are entitled to 120 hours of paid vacation. Beginning with the tenth year, and every year thereafter, employees are entitled to 160 hours of vacation. A one time, 80-hour longevity leave bonus is given to an employee on their service anniversary date at the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, etc. years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Employees shallaccrue eight hours of sick leave per month. New employees may bring with them up to 200 hours of accrued sick leave from their previous agency if their previous employer did not otherwise compensate them. New employees must provide documentation from their previous employer verifying their uncompensated sick leave hours.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE: Employees receive 140hours of administrative leave per calendar year in recognition of the frequent requirement to work evenings, weekends and holidays in excess of 38 hours per week. Employees may receive cash compensation on the pay date closest to December 1st (or as soon thereafter) of each calendar year for up to 40 hours of unused administrative leave if they have used a minimum of 40 hours of administrative leave in the calendar year.

JURY LEAVE: Employees required to serve on a jury are entitled to their regular compensation for up to 76 hours.

HOLIDAYS/FLOATING HOLIDAY HOURS: All Unit employees shall receive 18.5 floating holiday hours each calendar year. In addition, employees shall be entitled to the following holidays with pay each calendar year. Each holiday shall be valued at 9.5 hours.

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King's Birthday (The third Monday in January)
• Presidents' Birthday (The third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (The last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19th)
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day (The first Monday in September)
• Veteran's Day (November 11th)
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day (December 25th)

Employees shall receive additional floating holiday hours when any of the ten (10) holidyas fall on the employee's scheduled day off work. For example, with a Monday through Thursday schedule, any holiday that falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday shall be converted from 9.5 holiday hours to 9.5 floating holiday hours.

RETIREMENT:

Safety (Sworn) PERS Plan Formula

The City shall provide the 3% @ 50 plan to all safety employees enrolled in the PERS plan prior to March 19, 2012. An employee who is hired by the City after March 19, 2012, from another Public Employees' Retirement (PERS) agency or agency with PERS reciprocity, or with a break in service of 6 months or less, shall receive the Second Tier PERS benefit formula of 3% @ 55. A returning Claremont City employee that was enrolled in PERS will receive the PERS benefit formula they received while previously employed with the City, irrespective of the break in service. An employee who is a new enrollment in PERS, is not coming from an agency with PERS reciprocity, or has a break in service greater than 6 months shall be enrolled in the Third Tier PERS benefit formula of 2.7% @ 57.

Miscellaneous (Non-Sworn) PERS Plan Formula

The City shall provide the 2.5% @ 55 PERS contract option to current miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012. An employee who is hired by the City after March 19, 2012, from another Public Employees' Retirement (PERS) agency or agency with PERS reciprocity, or with a break in service of 6 months or less, shall receive the Second Tier PERS benefit formula of 2% @ 55. A returning Claremont City employee that was enrolled in PERS will receive the PERS benefit formula they received while previously employed with the City, irrespective of the break in service. An employee who is a new enrollment in PERS, is not coming from an agency with PERS reciprocity, or has a break in service greater than 6 months shall be enrolled in the Third Tier PERS benefit formula of 2% @ 62.

Employee PERS Contribution

Safety employees hired prior to March 19, 2012 and hired into the Two Tier of 3% @ 55 retirement plan shall contribute 9% towards their PERS member contributions. Safety employees hired in the Third Tier of 2.7% @ 57, shall contribute 13% or 50% of the total normal cost rate, whichever is greater, towards their PERS member contributions.

Miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012 shall contribute 8% towards their PERS member contributions. Employees receiving the Second Tier PERS Benefit formula of 2% @ 55 shall contribute 7% towards their PERS member contributions. Employees receiving the Third Tier PERS benefit formula of 2% @ 62 shall contribute 6.5% or 50% of the total normal cost rate, whichever is greater, towards their PERS member contributions.

PERS Highest Pension Calculation Compensation Period - The City shall continue to provide the Single Highest One Year Final Compensation Pension calculation benefit to current miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012. Employees hired after March 19, 2012 shall receive the Three Year Final Compensation calculation benefit.

The City shall provide miscellaneous and safety employees with the following benefits/provisions:

• Credit for unused sick leave (Government Code Section 20965).
• 1959 Survivor Benefit (Third Level benefits)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees have the opportunity to participate in a supplemental retirement savings plan offered through MissionSquare. Through tax-deferred payroll deductions, employees are eligible to deposit funds into their account, up to the maximum allowed by law.

Participation in this program:

• Shelters a portion of your salary from income taxes;
• Invests in high-performing funds yielding tax-deferred earnings;
• Provides a superior tool for retirement planning and savings.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION RETENTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM: This program was established to provide tenure and savings incentives for management employees. Beginning with the employee's third consecutive year of service, the City will match up to one percent of their base pay, payable into their deferred compensation account. This percentage increases to two percent at the beginning of their fifth year, three percent at the beginning of their sixth year, four percent at the beginning of their eighth year, and five percent at the beginning of their tenth year.

SEVERANCE: Employee shall receive 60 days notification in advance of layoff and up to six months severance in the event of involuntary separations.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY: The City provides a long-term disability plan. This benefit is in case an employee sustains a non-work-related illness or injury that results in their inability to work for a long period of time. In this event, an employee will receive 66.66% of their base pay after 60 days, and continued payment until they are medically able to return to work, or they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first (maximum of $8,000 per month).

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees may participate in the City's tuition reimbursement program. The amount of reimbursement will be up to $1,500 per fiscal year. Reimbursable items include registration, tuition, textbooks, and parking.

CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP: Employees are eligible for membership in the F & A Federal Credit Union. F & A offers a wide variety of services, including checking and savings accounts and all types of loans (automobile, vacation, personal, first and second home mortgages, and more!).

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): The City cares about the emotional and physical well-being of its employees and their families and offers a City paid Employee Assistance Program.

AUTO ALLOWANCE: Department Heads and Division Heads who have a personal vehicle at the work site available for use and provide proof of automobile insurance to Personnel are eligible to receive a monthly auto allowance. Department Heads shall receive $450 per month and Division Heads shall receive $350 per month.

DIRECT DEPOSIT PAYROLL: Employees may authorize the automatic deposit of their paycheck into their checking, savings, or credit union account.

Revised: July 2023

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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Claremont, California United States View Map