Manager, Inspection Services

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Planning & Building Department?
The City of Oakland is a dynamic city with a unique blend of cultures, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to progress. The city is known for its diversity, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. Joining the City of Oakland Planning & Building Departments enables you to actively contribute to causes that align with your values and be a part of the positive change this city looks forward to.

You will collaborate with a team of skilled, supportive, and driven colleagues with the same common goal - to positively impact the community. The Building Bureau regulates and oversees construction, building codes, permits, and inspections within the city. Your contribution to the city will ensure we are building a safe and healthy environment for our citizens by implementing policies, plans, and building regulations. By joining the city you will have access to personal growth, professional growth and guidance, and training from knowledgeable and hardworking individuals. We look forward to having you as a part of our team!

We are looking for someone who is/has:

• Leadership and Management Focused: Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate staff; maintain morale while applying discipline; assign tasks; conduct evaluations; and manage core functions of permit inspections.
• A Technical Expert: Extensive experience in building inspections with certifications in electrical, plumbing, residential, and building; combination inspector certifications and CASp certification highly desirable.
• Proficient in Program and Process Improvement: Experience with permit tracking software and process streamlining to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Adaptable: Able to quickly adapt to change and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to Create Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in building relationships with stakeholders, the development community, and influencing buy-in from subordinates.
• Strong Communication Skills: Effective writer with experience drafting correspondence, conducting analyses, and responding to email communications professionally.
• Results-Oriented: Forward thinker with a results-driven mindset and the ability to deliver solutions.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in using software tools such as permit tracking systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and mobile applications for scheduling and research.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Ensuring that the City of Oakland Building Codes meet both the standard of compliance with the State of California and the specific needs of Oakland.
• Assisting in planning, organizing, and managing a comprehensive building code enforcement and inspection program for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
• Managing and overseeing the core functions of permit inspections, including scheduling, task assignments, and inspection quality control.
• Developing and implementing strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of inspection and code enforcement services.
• Analyzing and resolving operational challenges, developing innovative strategies to address emerging issues.
• Fostering positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the building department supports community and economic development.

Read the complete job description by clicking this Inspection Services Manager - Job Classification Specification .

Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• The people of Oakland are among the most engaged and diverse communities in any City in the nation who are open to new ideas and approaches.
• Playing a key role in ensuring safe, high-quality construction that contributes to the growth and development of the city.
• Applying knowledge of building codes, construction techniques, and inspection processes to enforce standards and support economic development.
  
• Seeing the direct impact of your work in the city’s infrastructure and ensuring the safety of residents and workers.
  
• Working with a dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about public safety and community well-being.
  

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Managing a team of skilled inspectors, providing guidance, and fostering professional growth through training and development.
• Playing a key role in ensuring safe, high-quality construction that contributes to the growth and development of the city.
• Handling a high volume of inspections, customer inquiries, and departmental needs in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
• Addressing concerns from stakeholders who may have had negative past experiences and fostering a positive perception of the department’s services.
• Influencing and gaining the trust and cooperation of staff to implement process improvements and achieve department objectives.

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, architecture, construction management or a closely related field.

Experience:
Four (4) years of responsible management experience as a chief building official, unit supervisor or division manager in building inspection services and code enforcement.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Certified Code Enforcement Officer certification from California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) is highly desirable.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Possession of the Combination Building Inspector certifications and/or a Building Plans Examiner certification is required, as issued by the International Code Council (ICC). Incumbents must maintain the certification(s) throughout the duration of employment.

An incumbent in this position is expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. An individual appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of February 10, 2025.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you? CONFIRM WHICH PARTS ARE RELEVANT WITH HIRING DEPARTMENT(S)

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Cynthia Ng, Senior Human Resource Analyst, at cng@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 1/26/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Oakland

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