WESTFIELD – Mayor Daniel M. Knapik anticipates that a new Superintendent of Buildings will be appointed within 60 to 90 days, filling a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Jon Flagg.
The Human Resources Department at City Hall posted a five-page “extended” description of the duties and responsibilities of the Building Superintendent. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.
“This is an important job to fill,” Knapik said. “Not only does the superintendent run the building department, put deals with the public as well, is responsible for all of the municipal buildings, custodians and other staff.”
Knapik said that whoever is appointed must have knowledge of state building codes and city zoning codes, which is a challenge because “those codes are complicated and change with a great degree of regularity.”
The city will use the same layered screening and appointing structure used in several other department head appointments, Knapik said. The Human Resource Department will check applications to ensure the candidate is qualified for the post, including license requirements, then forward names of candidates who fulfill the screening criterion to an interview committee.
The final appointment is made by the mayor, to whom the Building Superintendent reports directly, and is confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council to a three-year term in office and, according to the posted job description, is “expected to operate within the parameters of good judgment, established business practice and the law and in accordance with bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the City and State.”
The Building Superintendent “performs responsible duties exercising a high degree of independent judgment and initiative in making decisions, conducting building inspections, rendering advice and representing the City’s compliance with State building inspection codes. Has primary responsibility for the daily operations of the Building Department comprised of the other City Inspectors – Electrical, Plumbing, Building; Clerk, and the Custodial Staff for the Municipal Buildings. Directs, coordinates, supervises and establishes priorities of staff in the operations of the department in order to insure the efficient and effective accomplishment of objectives. The superintendent also assumes direct accountability for department results.”
The superintendent is directly responsible for inspecting properties for unsafe conditions and assures timely and compliant inspections of buildings in conformity with State Building Code and related codes such as Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations.
The superintendent is also responsible for interpreting and enforcing city zoning ordinance and reviews plans and specifications for conformity with City subdivision requirements. Reviews and enforces decisions of Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and the Conservation Board.
The superintendent oversees the preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the construction and repair projects; and for purchase of necessary equipment, materials and supplies. Assists in analysis of bids and offers recommendations with respect thereto. Provides or causes to be provided information to contractors and other members of the public with respect to City building requirements.
Other duties include recommending fee structures; administers and oversees fee system in conformity with City and State requirements; and promotes and maintains positive and responsive community relations including direct response to citizen complaints as appropriate and in conformity with City policies.
