Deputy Head of Building Control (Class 3 Specialist) - Planning

1. Job Purpose:

• Where appropriate and within limits of competence, to manage a team of inspectors including the Specialist Building Inspector, Building Inspector and Trainee Building Inspector roles and provide supervision of project work;
• To undertake specialist or technical assessments/activities and make decisions on those assessments, using skills that would have been gained through qualifications and practical experience, to effectively deliver the Building Control service through the Council’s scheme of delegation in relation to the Building Act 1984 etc., ensuring buildings comply with the relevant regulatory standards in terms of health, safety, sustainability, energy conservation, accessibility, and design;
• To lead the Building Control service and its working relationship with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and any associated regional hub;
• To oversee the Council’s response to relevant committees (building advisory, industry competence, residents panel etc.), participation in Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT), performance reporting and registration of the inspector roles;
• To be able to effectively evaluate and allocate a full range of projects with specific focus on more complex schemes and high-risk buildings including those ‘in scope’, examining plans and carrying out site inspections, initiating and dealing with enforcement action;
• To assess dangerous structures and implement any immediate necessary works;
• To deputise for the Head of Building Control as necessary.

2. Key Accountabilities:

• To discharge the Council’s delegated powers and duties as required by the Building Act 1984, Building Safety Act 2022, and other legislation and to provide appropriate and proportionate advice to the responsible inspector concerning decisions about compliance with the Building Regulations 2010 etc. and being within the limits of the post holders competence;
• Based on validated competence, without direct supervision, to manage a portfolio of projects, including high-risk ‘in scope’ building schemes (new applications, regularisations, and reversion applications) and maintain proper records/trackers, for plan appraisals and site inspections, the evaluation of work/remedial action, working within a framework for inspections of projects to ensure compliance with the current Building Act 1984, Building Safety Act 2022, Building Regulations 2010, allied legislation, and technical standards;
• Within limits of competence, to provide accurate information, advice, and professional support to businesses and/or individuals, in accordance with the inspection framework or through ‘spot checks’ and ensure appropriate action is taken to comply with legislation and technical standards;
• To investigate matters, including complaints from elected members and the public, the control of demolition, dangerous structures, contraventions, and unauthorised works and initiate and undertake enforcement action, as necessary, including the issuing of notices, to ensure compliance with the appropriate legislation and the Council’s obligations under the Building Act 1984;
• To be available to partake in the dangerous structures rota, when necessary, and responding within a 2-hour target time both in and out of hours, to discharge the Council’s delegated powers and duties, as required under the London Building Act 1939, associated legislation etc., and authorise relevant works via the site contractor framework agreement;
• With respect to enforcement, the post holder will arrange for files of evidence to be deposited with the Council’s solicitors and where necessary attend magistrates/crown court as the Council’s expert witness in associated cases. All actions, taken whilst compiling reports on continuing work and decisions taken for the health, safety and welfare of the wider community will be notified to the wider management team;
• To liaise and/or consult with external agencies, stakeholders, statutory undertakers, members of the public, contractors, professional persons, elected members, and internal departments as necessary to ensure a seamless team approach to the provision of guidance, advice, and service delivery;
• To establish and maintain appropriate links with building professionals, providing an excellent customer focussed service (either face-to-face or other appropriate form of communication) and support the development of the Building Control service and with the exploration of new and expanding markets to encourage new and repeat business;
• To respond to changes in workload and changing priorities by carrying out the role in a flexible manner which may include working extended hours, at the beginning and/or end of the day. Additionally, on occasions, out of hours working may be required by agreement.

Management:

• To manage a team of inspectors with a wide range of professional and technical skills ensuring the Council discharges its delegated powers and duties, as required under the Building Act 1984, associated legislation etc.;
• Within limits of competence, to support and supervise, in accordance with the management framework, any other members of the team including, where agreed, the delegation of plan checking, site inspections and other duties. Including mentoring other members of the team seeking to gain more experience/demonstrate competency;
• To deputise and make decisions for the Head of Building Control in their absence;
• To understand and contribute to the vision, values, and strategic priorities of the Planning & Building Control service so that team members are engaged and motivated to deliver the Council’s strategic and service priorities and objectives;
• To positively contribute to the continued registration to ISO 9001 ‘quality management system’ and a strong, efficient, and effective performance culture with a focus on service excellence and customer satisfaction;
• To maintain an expert understanding of the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 including the Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICoF), Code of Conduct for Registered Building Inspectors and Building Safety Case regime.

Training:

• To actively pursue personal development of skills, knowledge, and competency necessary for effective performance in the role, for the team, service, and local authority;
• To maintain chartered membership of a relevant professional body and/or working towards accreditation proportionate to the role;
• To maintain and demonstrate inspector registration status relevant to the responsibility and competency required from the role and/or equivalent validation (currently Class 3, see Table 1);
• To demonstrate an understanding of performing roles described within the registration classes and comply with the associated code of conduct;
• The post holder must only carry out unsupervised functions and/or activities that are within the limits of their competence. Undertaking functions/activities on buildings etc. that are beyond the limits of competence must be under the supervision of a suitably competent inspector unless the nature of the work being assessed/inspected is the same as the type of work they would usually carry out within the limits of validated competence;
• To train, mentor and develop members of the Building Control team.

3. Financial Responsibilities:

• To ensure day-to-day finance support processes are carried out efficiently and in a timely manner, including project record keeping and service level agreements;
• To contribute to the marketing and promotion of the Building Control service to minimise the loss of work to Approved Inspectors or private sector competitors;
• To assist the Head of Building Control in the delivery of a cost-effective service.

4. Health and Safety Responsibilities:

• As a manager of the London Borough of Barnet, you are required to abide by Barnet’s health and safety policy, associated arrangements for managing, and implement the manager’s responsibilities set out therein;
• Complete mandatory health and safety training;
• Ensure risk assessments are in place for all tasks/activities where there are significant hazards, including stressors that could have an adverse effect on staff wellbeing;
• Identify and implement controls;
• Ensure staff are aware of the risk assessment findings and trained in the use of control measures;
• Monitor health and safety compliance arrangements and take action where there are concerns;
• Include health and safety in regular management team meetings;
• Lead by example, monitor and enforce health and safety compliance of staff.

5. Promotion of Corporate Values:

• To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standards according to the council’s values. To ensure that a high level of confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work. Our values: Caring / Learning to Improve / Inclusive / Collaboration.

6. Flexibility:

• In order to deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post-holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post, at the appropriate grade.