3C12
CHIEF CODE ENGINEER

This is administrative engineering work serving as the technical expert for all code requirements in the Department of Licenses and Inspections. The employee in this class is responsible for supervising, through subordinate supervisors, technical personnel engaged in the examination of building, fire, property maintenance, plumbing, electrical, energy, fuel gas and construction plans and sites. This employee develops legislation, regulations, policies and procedures, provides administrative and engineering direction with regard to code interpretation and supervises a staff of subordinate technical specialists. Establishing effective working relationships with all departmental divisions, City agencies, City Council, external government agencies and model code associations are significant aspects of the work. The employee in this class reports to an administrative superior.

• The position must perform administrative engineering work serving as the technical expert for all code requirements in the Department of Licenses and Inspections, supervising a staff of subordinate technical specialists.
• Only one position may be allocated to this class.

Develops legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and programs necessary for the administration of the City of Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code; serves as the Chief Code Official for the City of Philadelphia to fulfill requirements mandated by State Act 45 of the Uniform Construction Code; implements policies and procedures; interprets and explains codes to departmental employees and outside contractors, architects and engineers; serves as the technical code expert for the Commissioner and departmental staff; provides administrative and engineering direction with regard to code interpretation; supervises a staff of subordinate code administrators who serve as technical specialists in the areas of codes administration, and special projects; issues codes bulletins that state the department's official position and provide direction to departmental staff and code users; issues code interpretations to resolve questions of code intent or purpose; develops variances of general application; develops formal programs and procedures to ensure application of all titles of the Philadelphia Code that pertain to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Develops permitting, licensing and inspection programs to implement new ordinances passed into law by Philadelphia City Council; develops regulations to implement new legislation after final passage; serves as liaison with officials for other City agencies to develop inter-agency regulatory programs.

Supervises through subordinate supervisors the work of a staff of technical and clerical personnel performing examinations of building, fire, property maintenance, plumbing, electrical, energy, fuel gas and construction plans and sites.

Supervises the inspection, maintenance and research of special projects as requested by the Managing Director's and Mayor's Office which often result in the development or revision of policies and procedures.

Supervises the maintenance of all codes and departmental technical manuals, including the Manual of Permit Services, Manual of Field Operations and the Zoning Technical Manual; establishes departmental goals and objectives based upon adaptation and interpretation of the International Building Code; represents the Commissioner and the Department of Licenses and Inspections on various Boards and Commissions, including the Philadelphia Historical Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and all other Boards and/or Commissions as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• civil engineering principles and practices
• building, housing, fire, electrical, plumbing and related code ordinances and regulations
• the laws, ordinances and departmental policies, regulations and programs pertaining to the enforcement of licensing and inspection codes
• the principles and practices utilized by municipal code enforcement agencies to obtain code compliance
• the principles and practices of program planning, development and evaluation
• administrative principles and practices pertaining to the operation of a municipal agency
• the procedures and practices of operational and support units integrated within the City's comprehensive code enforcement
• the legislative processes of City Council as they pertain to the Department of Licenses and Inspections
• report writing principles and techniques
• the methods and techniques of administrative analysis
• supervisory principles and practices
SKILL IN:
• problem solving among organizational levels to achieve mutual objectives
• consistently enforcing and implementing new legislation
ABILITY TO:
• direct professional, technical and administrative personnel
• apply engineering and administrative knowledge to complex engineering and operational problems
• interpret and explain codes to departmental employees and outside contractors, architects and engineers
• develop and implement departmental and divisional programs, regulations, policies and procedures
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• serve as a liaison with City Council offices during the legislative process
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, associates, consultants, governmental and regulatory agencies, and the general public

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in civil engineering.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Four years of building plans examination engineering experience.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Four years of building plans examination engineering experience at the supervisory level.

OR


Any equivalent combination of education and experience which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area of engineering and the specific experience.

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Registration as a professional engineer as issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Chief Code Engineer.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment in this class, if required by work assignment.

Certification from the PA Department of Labor and Industry as a Building Code Official prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Chief Code Engineer.

Completion of course work or continuing education credits necessary to maintain certification during tenure of employment as a Chief Code Engineer.