Adopt Resolution #19-055 to Hire a Building Official

The purpose of this case is to request the City Council to hire a Building Official, filling the current vacancy. 

The Building Official’s primary role is to ensure compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code, which is required to be administered in Ramsey. The City must have a Building Official, either hired or contracted, in order to issue Building Permits.  The Building Official is the Division Manager for the Inspections Division, consisting of a Contracted Building Inspector, Contracted Electrical Inspector, and two (2) Permit Technicians. The Building Official reports to the Community Development Director. The Building Official is responsible for the issuance of approximately 2,500 permits, approximately 7,000 inspections, and over $80 to $100 million dollars of new construction value annually.  The Building Official job description is attached. 

This vacancy is due to a retirement of Staff. The role is currently being handled by a Contract Interim Building Official and additional contracted inspections as needed. Contracted services are a valuable tool for plan review and inspections, but is not an effective strategy for the Division Manager. Historically, this arrangement lead to turnover and inconsistency.

Upon learning of the Building Officials intent to retire, staff conducted an extensive external recruitment.  Seven applicants were interviewed and four were invited back for a second interview.   Staff has selected the top candidate, Mr. Jesse Szykulski, who then went through the City’s pre-employment testing process, including a background check, driver’s license check, reference checks, a professional leadership assessment and a physical exam and drug screen.  Mr. Szykulski successfully passed all of the City’s pre-employment testing and is recommended for hire.
 

The funding required for this position has been included in the 2019 budget.

To hire Mr. Jesse Szykulski as the City’s new Building Official, effective on or near March 11, 2019 at $44.87 per hour, which is step 5 of the 2019 wage scale, with a credit of 3 vacation days.

Motion to adopt resolution #19-055 to hire Mr. Jesse Szykulski as the City’s new Building Official, effective on or near March 11, 2019 at $44.87 per hour, which is step five (5) of the 2019 wage scale, with a credit of three (3) vacation days.