Chief, Building Codes and Research Branch (Code Specialist IV) Fairfax County Government $93,077.50
63 Annually medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, child care, retirement plan United States, Virginia, Fairfax Jul 25, 2026 Job Announcement Fairfax County boasts a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, thousands of acres of parkland, and bustling town centers. County government sits at the heart of this dynamic community of almost 1.2 million residents and seeks employees eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and skills to serve Fairfax residents and to shape the county's future. Land Development Services (LDS) is the steward of the county's land development and building construction codes and regulations, and its staff members embrace their essential role as "first preventers." Every day, through careful review, permitting and inspection of site and building construction, our staff protect the health, safety, welfare, and environment for those who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County. Our department also serves as the gateway to much of the county's economic development, reviewing over 30,000 building and site plan submissions, issuing nearly 70,000 building permits, and conducting over 220,000 building and site inspections each year. If you would like to join a creative, collaborative, innovative team doing meaningful work, then LDS is the place for you. The Fairfax County Building Division is seeking an experienced building code professional to serve as the Chief of the Building Codes and Research Branch. This leadership position serves as the county's principal authority on building code interpretation, research, policy development, and code administration. Leads a multidisciplinary team of code specialists who provide technical support for complex commercial and residential construction projects, building code modifications, code appeals, legislative analysis, and code development initiatives that shape the future of building safety. As a trusted advisor to the Building Official, executive leadership, and industry stakeholders, you will research emerging construction technologies, evaluate legislative proposals, develop technical guidance, and represent Fairfax County in state and national building code development. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence building regulations, mentor technical professionals, improve public safety, and help establish engineering and code policies that affect one of the nation's largest and most innovative local building departments. Illustrative Duties (The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.) Serves as a problem-solver and liaison between developer, designer, contractor and other related members of the owner's project team and county to resolve complications, issues and disputes during the development process to facilitate project implementation;
Authoritatively interprets agency/County policy, and State regulations and standards as applied to problems involving technical inquiries from architects, structural engineers, and field construction code inspectors in the evaluation of structural or technical design changes to assure conformance with all applicable codes;
Confers with executives and representatives of construction firms, developers and architects to resolve conflicts or issues which are code or customer related;
Serves as subject matter expert in the review, administration and interpretation of development regulations, applicable codes, related standards and county or state ordinances and provides related technical explanations to stakeholders;
Identifies, manages and prepares changes to deficient or obsolete provisions of applicable codes, standards and ordinances at the local, state or national levels;
Reviews and evaluates alternative proposals and calculations/equations for performance paths of code compliance;
Interprets and resolves highly complex technical issues through application of architectural/engineering theories, principles, and practices;
Identifies, determines, and documents code non-conformities, deficiencies, infractions, and violations of building permits, construction documents, and building and related codes at field inspection sites;
Evaluates and determines whether proposed remediation and corrections comply with code requirements;
Serves as point-person and project manager for complex and special land development projects to monitor their status and ensure their advancement through the regulatory approval process to include zoning application, bonding, permit application, plan review and construction and bond release;
Estimates resource requirements, establishes work plans and generates ongoing status updates as assigned land development projects enter and navigate the land development regulatory process;
Conducts plan reviews of preliminary designs and/or construction documents of special and complex land development projects to determine compliance with applicable land development-related codes, standards and ordinances;
Mediates and resolves construction project disputes between code inspectors, general contractors, home builders, construction personnel, and property owners regarding code enforcement/inspection/compliance issues;
Participates in the budget development and review process as needed and makes recommendations concerning ongoing budget issues;
Researches, defends, implements and oversees policy changes related to land development process and the enforcement of applicable codes, ordinances and county or state regulatory requirements;
Interfaces with the County Attorney's Office through the processes of code development, policy realignment, code appeals and other program-related legal needs;
Prepares reports and documentation for and testifies in front of regulatory bodies to defend new and edited provisions of affected codes and ordinances, related policy changes, service level changes and/or process improvements;
Provides direction to staff in the investigation, research and prosecution of complaints and violations of the program area's applicable codes and ordinances;
Represents the county or directs staff in criminal or civil court proceedings;
Provides direction and advice on responses to code modification requests and assists in the representation from the program area at code appeals proceedings;
Manages permit applications, code compliance and regulatory approval for land development projects;
Develops and maintains communication and outreach plans to effectively reach and inform program area stakeholders;
Prepares and presents detailed reports, studies and complex material to diverse groups of program area stakeholders to gain support and consensus;
Represents the county at project and administrative meetings, forums and conferences;
Negotiates and/or administers contracts for the full range of third party services to assist program area;
Prepares, implements and maintains program area's quality control/quality assurance program;
Prepares and conducts training on code provisions, code enforcement policy and related topics to staff and industry representatives. Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities (The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all
) Expert knowledge of the industry and of the codes and ordinances that apply to the type of work being regulated;
Expert knowledge of the process by which violations of applicable codes, ordinances, and related internal policies are resolved and the legal procedures for prosecuting such violations;
Expert knowledge of the principles, methods and problems of organizations and management;
Expert knowledge of the theory and practice of civil and/or environmental engineering and urban planning;
Knowledge of topographic and construction surveying;
Expert knowledge of land development project completion and bond default resolution;
Thorough knowledge of common methods and equipment used in engineering construction and inspection methods used in reviewing such work;
Expert knowledge of land development processes and requirements, technical aspects pertaining to zoning, related land development codes and authorities, environmental codes, and related involvement of other relevant agencies or departments;
Considerable knowledge of court system documents;
Ability to plan and coordinate the work of professional and related paraprofessional employees;
Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate agreements using tact, diplomacy, and persuasion;
Ability to speak clearly and concisely in front of various size groups and to effectively conduct group meetings;
Ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports and suggested code and policy changes and to present findings in a clear and concise format;
Ability to effectively supervise/lead professional and paraprofessional employees, including the ability to provide coaching and guidance, monitoring and evaluating performance, and supporting training and development training. Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field of study directly related to the industry being regulated such as engineering, architecture, urban planning, biological or environmental science, public administration, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus six years of progressively more responsible complaint resolution and/or code enforcement experience in the industry being regulated.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED
Driver's License
VDHCD Certified Building Official
- within 9 months of hire.
VDHCD Residential Building Plans Examiner
- within 9 months of hire.
VDHCD Commercial Building Plans Examiner
- within 9 months of hire.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive experience interpreting and applying the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), International Codes, and related construction standards.
Experience evaluating building code modification requests, alternative methods, and building code appeals.
Experience participating in state or national building code development, including authoring code proposals, evaluating proposed code changes, or serving on technical committees.
Experience researching emerging construction methods, materials, and technologies and evaluating their impact on building code enforcement.
Experience providing technical guidance on complex commercial construction projects, including high-rise, podium, mixed-use, or other complex building types.
Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing technical staff, including plan reviewers, inspectors, engineers, or code specialists.
Experience preparing technical reports, policy recommendations, legislative analyses, or presentations for executive leadership, elected officials, or industry stakeholders.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience leading stakeholder meetings and resolving complex code interpretation issues involving design professionals, contractors, attorneys, or public agencies.
Experience developing technical training programs, publications, standard operating procedures, or other educational resources.
Current Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) certifications as a Certified Building Official, Commercial Building Plans Examiner, Residential Building Plans Examiner.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to perform sedentary tasks for extended periods. Visual acuity to read data and construction documents on computer monitors. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Panel interview and may include exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.
TTY 703-222-7314.
DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov
EEO/AA/TTY.
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