Job Description

Position Title: Assistant Commissioner

Division: Inspectional Services

Rate: $123,737-$143,554 annually

Application Requested: 1/12/24

Posting Date: 11/22/23

Civil Service Type: None

Number of Hours Per Week: 37.5

Job Code: M308-107

Union Affiliation: None

Description:

ABOUT THE CITY?
The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that people of different ethnic, racial, religious, national, and other backgrounds call home (population approx.118,000).? We take pride in our city\xe2\x80\x99s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. We seek to hire, develop, and advance individuals who value antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and are committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.?

Cambridge\xe2\x80\x99s City government has an annual operating budget of $800M and over 1,600 full-time employees.? Cambridge has access to significant resources but is confronting similar challenges as other urban centers \xe2\x80\x93 rising housing costs, climate change, sustainable transportation, homelessness, and persistent economic and racial inequities.? The City Council and City leadership are committed to being a leader on issues of equity and sustainability and creating a city that works for everyone.?

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT?
The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) implements the City\xe2\x80\x99s enforcement program related to the Massachusetts State Building Code, the City Zoning Ordinance, and portions of the State Sanitary Code.??ISD prides itself on delivering excellent customer service and using enforcement as a tool to promote the health and safety of the Cambridge community.?

Over 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cambridge comes from buildings.? ISD ensures that new building construction and major renovations are energy efficient, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change, and support best practices for overall environmental performance.??

ABOUT THE ROLE?
The Assistant Commissioner is a leader in the areas of staff supervision, process improvement, fiscal management, and customer service at ISD. They are highly knowledgeable about building and sanitary codes and are a resource to other staff and customers. The Assistant Commissioner will have a particular day-to-day focus on the building and zoning part of ISD\xe2\x80\x99s operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ?

Co-manages a team of thirty staff that includes administrative, technical, and trades positions.? Provides mentoring, coaching, training, and advancement opportunities for staff.?

Ensures the department conducts a thorough and efficient permit process at all phases. Implements process improvements related to customer service, permit review and financial management based on quantitative and qualitative data.

Conducts permit reviews and inspections as needed. Provides direct customer service as needed.

Provides technical and administrative support to the Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA).? Ensures that buildings comply with planning board, zoning and BZA decisions.?

Responds to after-hours emergencies during nights, weekends, and holidays. Is part of emergency on call rotation. Attends Zoning Board meetings two or more evenings per month, and other evening meetings as required.

Coordinates budgeting and financial operations for ISD, which collects an average of $45 million in annual revenue.?

Collaborates with other City departments, particularly Community Development, Law, License, Fire, Public Works, Water, Historical, and Traffic Parking and Transportation.

Acts as Department Head as assigned by the Commissioner.

Performs other related duties as assigned.?

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.?

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS?

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.? Equivalent education and training may be substituted.?

5 years of experience in developing or examining plans with knowledge of the Massachusetts State Building code and other related codes.??

Certification by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) as a Local Building Inspector upon hire or within 12 months of employment.??

Certification by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) as an Inspector of Buildings/Commissioner certification upon hire or within 24 months of employment.??

Willing and able to become highly knowledgeable about the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance within one year of hire

Understanding of and demonstrated experience with sustainable design, construction, and operations.?

Extensive experience with software typical to the building and permitting industry.?

Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders.?

Excellent writing and communication skills.?

Strong problem solving and mediation abilities.?

High ethical standards and personal integrity.?

Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. ?The City of Cambridge\'s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to operate office equipment including copiers, printers, and scanners. Executes multiple tasks involving keyboarding, telephones, writing, bending, reaching, and lifting boxes of files (up to 10 lbs).

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Frequent site visits to active construction sites, as well as standard office environment, which includes fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level, which can elevate with phone calls and walk in members of the public. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple works demands from staff, a great deal of customer interaction, and heavy call volume. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City\xe2\x80\x99s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• vacation, personal and sick days
• sick incentive pay eligibility
• management bonus of $2700 /year
• 14 paid holidays
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Blue bikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

Resume

Cover Letter

#P1

THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES, WRITTEN MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL BE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FREE OF CHARGE, UPON REQUEST. THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING A WORKFORCE CULTURE OF ANTIRACISM, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.

PI0dbcd61eb702-8722-33297206

City of Cambridge