Posted: Jun 18, 2026
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Building Division Manager/Building Official

City of Lynnwood - Lynnwood, WA
Full-time
Salary: $65.95 - $84.89 Hourly
Application Deadline: N/A
Manager

Summary

The City of Lynnwood is moving our community vision forward to become a regional model for a sustainable, vibrant community with engaged citizens and accountable government. The Development and Business Services (DBS) Department advances this vision through community planning, economic development, permitting, inspections, and administration with an emphasis on modernizing the delivery of permitting and planning services and improving customer service.  

We are seeking a Building Division Manager/Building Official who thrives in a collaborative and service-oriented environment to help us fulfill this mission. 

Our Ideal Candidate:

  • Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills, as this position involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Is passionate about construction supporting access to housing and new commercial development.
  • Has a continuous quality improvement and growth mindset.
  • Possesses strong systems-thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Is able to prioritize and coordinate multiple concurrent tasks and projects.
  • Thrives at leading and contributing to a positive and supportive team environment.

Under the direction of the Director of Development and Business Services this position manages, plans, and administers construction permitting, inspection and review and code enforcement for the City of Lynnwood.  The Building Division Manager is responsible for coordinating the City’s plan review process, and overseeing the approval and issuance of construction permits, and the inspection of all new construction and alteration of existing structures to assure compliance with all applicable building codes. 

Supervise and direct assigned staff, including managers, supervisors and lead workers. Develop, implement and administer the Division’s operating policies, procedures. Ensure staff are up to date on and trained to current codes and maintain focus and commitment to customer service. Assist with development of the department’s budget. This position serves as the city’s Building Official.

Essential Function

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

  • Ensure residential and commercial buildings and other structures within the City are inspected and conform to the applicable code requirements.   
  • Manage plan review, construction inspection staff and code enforcement teams to assure the timely and accurate completion of functional responsibilities.  Allocate, prioritize and evaluate work.
  • Oversee structural and non-structural plan checks on all proposed residential, commercial and public building projects to ensure compliance with International Code Requirements, state laws and municipal ordinances.  Approve or disapprove plans, alterations and changes.
  • Coordinate with other city departments, South County Fire District, and other DBS staff regarding past, current and future construction permits and projects.
  • Meet with building permit applicants and community stakeholders on complex projects. 
  • Track, monitor and evaluate fees, revenues and expenditures associated with the permitting and inspection process. Update fees as needed.
  • Maintain local modifications to state mandated building codes.
  • Participate in department-wide long range, strategic planning activities.   Prepare and recommend objectives, methodologies and associated schedules.
  • Interpret construction and nuisance codes.   Render advice, judgments and decisions to developers, builders and the general public.
  • Conduct on-site review of field inspections as the situation requires.   Resolve unusual or difficult situations regarding inspections and approvals encountered by inspectors.
  • Coordinate inspections to ensure compliance with all applicable codes.
  • Provide building information and code enforcement information for public records requests.
  • Attend and provide information regarding building code requirements for pre-development meetings.
  • Assist with development and manage the department/divisional budget.
  • Prepare and conduct oral and written union and non-union employee performance evaluations.  Recognize superior job performance.  Effect correction in undesirable trends in performance consistent with established City policy, including taking disciplinary action as appropriate. 
  • Ensure ongoing practice and commitment to quality customer service exemplified by problem-solving, active communication, and commitment to solutions that lead to code-compliant projects, successful for both the City and Applicant. 
  • Maintain regular attendance.
  • Other duties, as assigned.

Job Location and Equipment Utilized
 
Work is normally performed in an office environment and in the field utilizing standard office equipment including personal computer with associated software and peripherals. Occasional work may be performed outdoors to review inspection and building locations and the individual may be exposed to construction site hazards.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
 
  • Expert knowledge of and ability to interpret the Lynnwood Municipal Code, International Codes and State laws governing construction and design of structures.
  • Skilled in interpreting and conveying building code requirements to stakeholders with a focus on excellent customer service.
  • Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of budget development.
  • Skilled in project management principles and techniques.
  • Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with builders, developers and the general public.
  • Proven ability to analyze problems and make recommendations.
  • Ability to issue criminal citations for non-code compliance.
  • Skilled in planning and organizing work to meet schedules and timelines.
  • Proven ability to problem-solve effectively.
  • Skilled in development and recommendation of policies and establishing project objectives to implement those policies.
  • Skilled in effectively interacting with diverse groups of people.
  • Ability to effectively administer, supervise, and motivate the department staff to deal effectively with the public and in the accomplish the roles and responsibilities of DBS. 
  • Skilled in presenting ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups and individuals.
  • Ability to communicate in English and preferably a second language (commonly spoken languages of business owners in Lynnwood include Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Amharic).
  • Ability to attend business meetings after hours on an occasional basis as needed.
 
Physical Demands
 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Visual acuity to observe program activities and to read and view documents and produce written materials.
  • Ability to speak and listen, to exchange information, provide work directions, and make presentations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
  • Manual dexterity to operate a computer

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management plus five years of experience as a building inspector, three years as a commercial plans examiner, architect, construction engineer or building official or an equivalent combination of related education and experience; a valid driver’s license and a driving records acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier; successful completion of a  background check; current ICC certification in building inspection and plans examination; current certification as a Building Official from the International Code Council or the ability to achieve within one year.

Additional Information

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
 
 FLSA Status: Exempt
 Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented; General Salary Ordinance