Description
Deputy Director/Building Official
Under administrative direction from the Planning and Building Department (PBD) Director, the Deputy Director position will be responsible for the overall administration of the Building Bureau. In this capacity, the position also carries the delegation of authority as Building Official to be the administrative interpreter of the Building Code as cited in Section 15 of the Oakland Municipal Code. Given the integral and principal role that the building code plays in permitting, inspection, code enforcement, environmental quality, and community character, this position is a key participant in the development of policy, processes, and metrics for the City of Oakland to meet its residents', businesses’, institutions’, and cultural needs.
The Building Official has a critical role to play in the quality of life in the City of Oakland, given its history, diversity, architectural distinction, transportation hubs, and economic opportunities. The Building Official has opportunities rarely found in most jurisdictions. As part of a larger county in the most urbanized agglomeration of major cities in the nation, The Deputy Director will have a seat at the table for the strategic as well as transactional recommendations to the Mayor, Council, and Administration to enhance the experience of building and developing in Oakland while achieving our principal goal of building safe structures that are welcome additions to the city both during their construction and over the years they are in service to their users.
Management is also a key component of this role. The Building Official is responsible for over 50 staff members that interface with numerous stakeholders including the Planning and Administrative/Operations Bureaus within the Planning & Building Department, as well as with the Oakland Fire Department, Department of Transportation, and Economic Workforce Development Department. Success as a Deputy Director will require a service-based philosophy and partnership approach that enhances the internal operations across multiple departments and divisions. The skill set to manage key performance metrics will be essential for success in this position.
We are looking for someone who is:
Management oriented in listening, analyzing and leading: You will need to interact with staff to understand their tasks and use that input to more effectively give direction and measure performance.
Skilled in communication: You will need to state your intentions, observations, requests, and directions to achieve understanding and ensure your own understanding of requests, complaints, and directives you receive.
Constantly exploring new ways to optimize service for safety: You will need to assess Bureau performance with the intent of piloting new processes to improve operations based on the service, integrity, and practicality of the approach.
Focused on urgently responding to customer needs, questions, clarifications: You will need to prioritize actions to address the relative urgency and importance of items as they arise.
Technically proficient with the California Building Code: You will need to have knowledge and understanding of the California Building Code to ensure that the City of Oakland is aligned as required, and to inspire confidence in the public and staff with your proficiency.
Capable of data analysis for resource, process and performance assessment: You will need to know how to gather, select, analyze and articulate data to establish metrics that inform management approaches to improve services.
Innovative in addressing design, development, and construction challenges: You will need to lead a customer-oriented culture with the goal of developing Oakland into a thriving City through finding ways to practically address technical challenges in code interpretation and enforcement.
What you will typically be responsible for:
*Planning, organizing, and implementing improved permit and enforcement systems to provide timely and efficient customer services.
*Setting performance standards for the Director’s review and approval.
*Ensuring that approved standards are achieved through direct and delegated management. Updating the Director on matters that urgently or substantively affect the Department's ability to meet performance goals with sufficient time whenever possible to execute corrective or mitigative actions.
*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.
*Ensuring that Code Enforcement cases are addressed with urgency and consistency to bring violations into compliance within the full recourse of the Building Bureau’s delegated authority.
*Developing budgets, schedules, and information system requests consistent with the department goals and, where identified, specific performance metrics.
*Ensuring the coordinated processing of permits across the Department and between the Department with other departments or outside agencies with jurisdiction.
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.
*The range of project types found in the city is as varied as Oakland’s people; every day will be exciting with great opportunities to make a difference.
*The dedication of staff within the Building Bureau and across the Department and the City of Oakland reflects a personal and professional commitment to a better life for its residents and workers.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
*Building on the significant progress already made in culling operational data and converting it into dashboards and setting up the protocols and departmental culture for using data as robust management tools.
*Making, documenting and updating a clear assessment of where there are logjams, backlogs, and needed process changes to meet performance goals.
*Ensuring that Bureau staff understand their respective delegation of authority and assignment relative to the Chief Building Official and understand the overall strategy looking to be accomplished.
To view the full recruitment brochure, please copy the link to your browser - https://www.oaklandca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/human-resources/documents/recruitments/city-of-oakland-building-official.pdf (Download PDF reader)
Requirements
Minimum Requirements for Application
The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, architecture or a closely related field. A Master's Degree in a related field is highly desirable.
Experience:
Five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in engineering, architecture, code compliance, and enforcement or inspection work, including program administration, policy development, and project management. Must include two (2) years of supervisory experience.
License or Certificate
Individuals who are 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.
Desirable Qualifications:
*Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California or Registration as a Professional Architect in the State of California
*Possession of a certificate from International Code Council (ICC) as a Certified Building Official
*Experience in leadership of interdisciplinary organizations that deliver services on a reliable schedule and standard.
*Past participation, preferably in leadership positions, in professional organizations that advance the quality and delivery of development services.
*Experience in leading organizational change.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your resume and cover letter outlining the background and experience that makes you the ideal candidate electronically through the city's online applicant portal. Applications will be accepted through September 2, 2025. Resumes received by August 4, 2025, will receive first consideration.
