- Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development: $169,032 – $205,464, plus excellent benefits
- Chief Building Official: $157,680 - $191,652, plus excellent benefits
- Deputy Building Official: $137,208 - $166,776, plus excellent benefits
Application deadline: Apply by Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., for first consideration
THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-2026 annual budget of approximately $192 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.
San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.
THE DEPARTMENT
In recent years, the City of San Rafael has seen an unprecedented interest in development and growth, and our department has responded with collaborative focus on creating a thriving, sustainable community that meets the needs of our diverse population. Thanks to a determined effort to provide excellent service, the City’s building department maintains a great reputation with local builders and residents.
The Community & Economic Development Department is comprised of five divisions with a total fiscal year 2025-2026 budget of over $7 million and 24 full-time employees.
The Community & Economic Development Department is comprised of five divisions:
- Planning, Building, Housing & Code Enforcement Divisions: Support the City’s land use entitlement, construction and inspection permitting, housing policy, and community code compliance programs.
- Economic Development Division: Creates and maintains a thriving economic environment for businesses and residents by providing resources, primarily through the one-stop-shop “San Rafael Go” Program.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Community & Economic Development department (C&ED) has one (1) vacancy to be filled at either the Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development, Chief Building Official, or Deputy Building Official classification.
The ideal candidate for the Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development is a collaborative and strategic municipal leader with core competencies in Building and Code Enforcement with broad experience across community and economic development operations. This individual is a trusted partner to executive leadership, skilled in overseeing multiple divisions, advancing departmental priorities, and representing the City before the Planning Commission, City Council, boards, commissions, developers, and the public. The successful candidate brings strong people management, budget, and operational experience, demonstrates sound judgment in complex and sensitive matters, and is committed to inclusive leadership, community engagement, and public service. The position will have direct oversight of the building and code enforcement division functions and will serve as the Chief Building Official.
The ideal candidate for the Chief Building Official classification is an experienced building and safety professional with deep knowledge of California building, fire, life-safety, accessibility, and energy codes. This individual provides strong technical leadership over plan review, inspections, permitting, and code enforcement, and is confident exercising independent authority, including code interpretation and enforcement actions. The successful candidate is an effective people manager who values consistency, customer service, and public safety, and can clearly communicate technical requirements to staff, professionals, and the public.
The ideal candidate for the Deputy Building Official classification is a seasoned building inspection professional with strong technical expertise and proven supervisory experience. This individual brings comprehensive knowledge of California building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, accessibility, and energy codes, and is skilled in performing and overseeing complex commercial inspections and plan reviews. The successful candidate is an effective working supervisor who can assign and monitor workloads, coach and evaluate staff, and ensure consistent, high-quality inspections and customer service. They are comfortable serving as the primary point of contact for contractors, design professionals, and the public, resolving disputes and complaints with professionalism and sound judgment. The ideal candidate communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with other City departments and outside agencies, and provides reliable advice and support to the Chief Building Official to ensure the efficient, compliant, and customer-focused operation of the Building Division.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development - This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. CLICK HERE for the full job spec.
- Assist the Director of Community and Economic Development in managing and directing the Community and Economic Development Department.
- Assist in developing department goals and objectives; assist in the development of and implementation of policies and procedures.
- Plan, organize and direct activities of Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Economic Development Divisions.
- Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the divisions work plans; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
- Prepare the division’s budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administer the approved budget.
- Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
- Represent the department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
- Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of planning, building, code enforcement, housing and economic development; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Represent the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
- Foster an environment that embraces integrity, service, inclusion and collaboration.
- Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Chief Building Official - This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. CLICK HERE for the full job spec.
- Serves as the City's Chief Building Official.
- Oversees the review and performs complex plan reviews of building, subdivision improvement and development plans, reports, calculations, and specifications in verifying compliance with building, fire, zoning, and other codes, ordinances and resolutions.
- Oversees and provides information to interested parties on the City's Building code, and subdivision and site development program including code provisions, procedures, required submittals and plan processing, and inspection schedules.
- Develops and implements division policies and procedures.
- Issues stop-work orders in situations of deliberate or negligent non-compliance.
- Understands and interprets applicable codes, laws, ordinances and regulations. Provides code interpretations as required and recommends the adoption and amendment of codes, ordinances and regulations. Maintains construction, fire, and life-safety codes in conformance with current State law.
- Manages the division budget and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the budget.
- Makes presentations to City Council as required.
- Provides staff with support in decision making and provides direction to technical staff.
- Maintains effective communications with staff through regularly scheduled meetings.
Deputy Building Official - This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. CLICK HERE for the full job spec.
- Analyzes, distributes and monitors the inspection workflow.
- Provides work review, information and training to Building Division personnel as directed.
- Assigns work, including field inspections, to Building Inspectors
- Oversees and inspects all major commercial work.
- Serves as the focal point for complaints and dispute resolution.
- Coordinates the work of the department with other City departments and outside agencies.
- Reads and interprets plans and discusses requirements with builders and owners.
- Investigates all disabled access complaints, issues reports and assists with resolution.
- Inspects building construction, plumbing, electrical and gas installations in residential, business, industrial and public buildings.
- Conducts final inspections of newly completed buildings.
- Reviews and investigates violations of building code laws.
- Performs complex plan reviews of residential and commercial projects.
- Provides information to the public regarding building requirements.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development
- Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- Education: Possession of the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, economics, public administration, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. Possession of a master’s degree is desirable.
- Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible community and economic development experience, including (2) two years of supervisory experience.
Chief Building Official
- Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:
- Experience: At least 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience construction related inspection and design review, and code enforcement with at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity. Practical experience with principles and practices of organization, administration, budgeting, and personnel management for a municipal government is preferred.
- Training: Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college with major work in construction technology, engineering, or related field.
- ICC certification as a Building Official must be obtained within one year of employment
- Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid CA driver’s license is required.
Deputy Building Official
- Education/Experience
- Graduation from high school or equivalent based on courses taken from an accredited educational institution. Associate of Science degree in Building Inspection or related field is preferred.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection, including commercial, of which at least two (2) years must be in a supervisory capacity.
- Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid CA driver’s license.
- Must maintain ICC certification in at least three of the following areas:
- Commercial building inspector, combination building inspector, electrical inspector, plumbing inspector or mechanical inspector. These certifications are required at time of hire.
- In addition, Plans Examiner certification from ICC is required, but may be obtained within 6 months of hire.
