CHIEF BUILDING/CONSTRUCT INSPECTOR-NEW CONSTRUCTION

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

CHIEF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR

Department of Buildings

Bureau of New Construction

(Technical Inspections)

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies are possible pending budget approval)

Annual Starting Salary: $107,136

These positions are open to the general public and to all current city employees covered under the terms of the City's collective bargaining agreement with the CHICAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS-INSPECTORS (CARPENTERS LOCAL 13) - (BARGAINING UNIT #44).

Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS:

Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Applications for this position will be accepted beginning 6-4-26 until 11:59pm on 6-18-26.

Under direction, manages a work unit responsible for coordinating and overseeing inspections of new construction and renovation projects to ensure compliance with the Chicago Construction Codes and all applicable municipal regulations.

Directs inspection activities related to building permits, construction-related complaints, and Certificates of Occupancy. Evaluates structural integrity, life-safety conditions, and construction compliance issues to determine when conditions may constitute an actual or imminent danger to the public, occupants, or first responders. Ensures enforcement actions, inspection findings, and operational decisions are consistent with established code requirements and departmental authority. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties:

* Supervises a team of 17 Building Construction Inspectors responsible for conducting inspections of new construction, rehabilitation, and renovation projects involving residential buildings, commercial properties, high-rise structures, restaurants, tenant buildouts, and mixed-use developments.

* Oversee the review and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for large-scale, complex new construction projects and substantial renovation developments to ensure compliance with approved plans, code requirements, and occupancy standards.

* Prioritizes, schedules, and assigns rough and final permit inspections, including footing, foundation, concrete slab, under-floor, framing, and related structural inspections associated with new construction and renovation projects.

* Coordinates and assigns inspections related to building permits, renovations, and express permits to verify compliance with approved architectural plans, permitted use, and applicable construction code provisions.

* Manages all permit-related inspection activities associated with Certificate of Occupancy projects, ensuring inspections are completed efficiently, accurately, and within established timelines.

* Monitors inspection workloads, staffing levels, and operational demands, adjusting schedules and assignments as necessary to address emergency construction issues, resource constraints, and public safety concerns.

* Serves as the primary point of coordination between Department bureaus, the Chicago Fire Department, design professionals, contractors, and Department leadership to resolve operational issues, scheduling conflicts, and compliance matters related to construction inspections and the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

* Reviews inspection findings and enforcement recommendations involving potentially hazardous or unsafe construction conditions and directs appropriate corrective or enforcement actions consistent with departmental authority and public safety objectives.

* Interprets and applies provisions of the Chicago Construction Codes, departmental policies, and applicable regulations to support consistent inspection practices and enforcement operations.

* May testify at Circuit Court or other legal matters as an expert witness regarding construction practices, inspection findings, and applicable provisions of the Chicago Construction Codes.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: 2045 W. Washington

Chicago, IL 60612

Shift: Monday-Friday

Hours: 7:00am-3:30pm

(Shift may vary due to the needs of the operation)

*Must be willing and able to climb ladders and stairs, enter and work in buildings which are in a state of great disrepair, in all weather conditions and in all neighborhoods throughout the City*.

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

* Successful completion of a US Department of Labor registered building trade apprenticeship training program and journeyman status, plus four (4) years of journey-level experience in skilled building construction or building inspections experience, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,

OR

* Eight (8) years of journey-level experience in skilled building construction or building inspection work experience, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,

OR

* Successful completion of an industry or company-sponsored apprenticeship training program in building trade and have journeyman status, plus six (6) years of journey-level experience in skilled building construction or building inspections work, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,

OR

* Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Construction Management or Building Inspections, plus six (6) years of experience in skilled building construction or building inspections, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,

OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's in Architecture, Construction Management, or Construction-related Engineering, plus four (4) years of work experience in skilled building construction or building inspections, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,

OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Architecture, Construction Management, or Construction-related Engineering, plus three (3) years of work experience in skilled building construction or building inspections, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* A valid State of Illinois Driver's license is required

* Must have the permanent use of an automobile that is properly insured, including a clause specifically insuring the City of Chicago from accident liability

Working Conditions

• General office environment
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions

NOTE: A copy of your official transcripts and/or professional license, or training certificates will be required at the time of interview, if applicable.

Selection Requirements: This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected. The interviewed bidders possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement.

Desired Skills

• U.S. Department of Labor or Industry Sponsored Apprenticeship Training Certification and/or a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate's Degree in Architecture or Construction related Engineering.
• Experience with construction and building components for multi-level commercial and industrial buildings.
• Experience with renovations of existing buildings to meet minimum standards.
• Knowledge of municipal building codes.
• Experience working with architects and structural engineers to interpret plans and specs.
• Experience reading/interpreting building plans, blueprints and construction specifications.
• Good knowledge of the geography of the City.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor