Director of Inspectional Services

Statement of Duties

The Director of the Inspectional Services Division (the ‘Division’) manages a multi-disciplinary inspector and administration staff responsible for enforcement, permitting, and inspections of the State Building Code (780 CMR), and other referenced codes and standards and specialized codes including but not limited to the State Energy Code (including Stretch Code and Specialized Opt-in Code (225 CMR 22 & 23), Architectural Access Board (521 CMR), International Mechanical Code, State Sheet Metal Code (271 CMR), State Plumbing and Gas Codes (248 CMR), Electrical Code (527 CMR 12), as well as the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (SZO), applicable sections of the Somerville Code of Ordinances (SCO), and Weights and Measures (MGL c. 98 & 99).. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Directly supervises senior managers and senior staff within the Division for efficient, consistent, and compliant operation of the Division.
• Establishes short and long-range plans and objectives, performance standards and assumes direct accountability for Division results.
• Primary responsibility for creating and implementing strategies, policies, and procedures for consistent and efficient code enforcement, permitting, inspections, and records responses for the Division.
• Responsible for development of guidance materials for applicants and general public for the Divisions’ various permitting processes.
• Primary responsibility for the Division adhering to personnel, workplace, and Division policies and practices, and proper adherence to, and taking necessary corrective or resolution measures where needed, in conjunction with People Operations and the City Attorney.
• Prepares, administers, and manages the Division budget, including revenues and expenditures.
• Ensures staff have proper equipment and tools for administration of the Division.
• Primary respondent for formal requests for enforcement or interpretation regarding SCO that are enforced by the Division.
• Reports to Chief of Infrastructure and the Mayor on all high-priority code enforcement, permitting, inspection, and/or other issues related to the Division.
• Provides periodic data summaries, appraising general trends, emerging trends, and significant data points.
• Coordinates with cross-departmental senior leadership to proactively address problem properties.
• Meets with business owners, property owners, residents, elected officials, developers, and contractors to discuss code enforcement, permitting, or inspection concerns regarding the Division.
• Advocates and presents on behalf of the Division and the Mayor before the City Council, other government officials, and citizen groups in and outside of public meetings.
• Works with senior managers and senior staff to ensure all staff remain current with required continuing education and certifications, as well as providing and fostering other staff development opportunities related to core functions of the Division.
• Responsible for proper staff assignment to cross-departmental collaboration projects and initiatives and for assuring deliverables for the Divisions aspect of those deliverables
• Responsible for Division participation in policy and implementation discussions, decisions, and allocation of resources related to matters enforced by or proposed to be enforced by the Division.
• Optimizes the Division’s use of, the City’s permitting, licensing and code enforcement software.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, public administration, business administration or related field, with 10+ years of related work experience of management in municipal government or inspectional services/code enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Special Requirements:

• Construction Supervisor’s License

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Working knowledge of Division practices and services and specifically the State Building Code (780 CMR), and other referenced codes and standards and specialized codes including but not limited to the State Energy Code (including Stretch Code and Specialized Opt-in Code (225 CMR 22 & 23), Architectural Access Board (521 CMR), International Mechanical Code, State Sheet Metal Code (271 CMR), State Plumbing and Gas Codes (248 CMR), Electrical Code (527 CMR 12), as well as the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (SZO), applicable sections of the Somerville Code of Ordinances (SCO), and Weights and Measures (MGL c. 98 & 99). Working knowledge of Fire Safety Codes (527 CMR 1), a plus; working knowledge of the principles and practices of building construction and inspection; knowledge of principles and policies of personnel management and supervision; knowledge of the City’s geography, related agencies and surrounding jurisdictions.

Abilities: Ability to work independently; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to handle problems effectively in response to day-to-day crises; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a computer; ability to deal appropriately with City employees (union and non-union), City officials, contractors, trades workers and the public. Ability to prioritize projects based on multiple factors, which may include political, financial, public health and safety, etc. Ability to analyze and explain financial implications of complex Division decisions; ability to recruit and train employees; ability to streamline processes while successfully utilizing the skills and abilities of all staff.

Skill: Excellent organizational skills and skills in all work-related software applications. Strong conceptual, analytical, verbal and written communication skills. Adept at utilizing and modifying permitting software to meet department needs.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or

most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes and routinely reviewing maps and blueprints with a need for color vision.

Hours: Full-Time, In-Person role. On-Call for Emergencies. 
Salary Range: $130,000-$135,200 annualized, plus benefits. 
FLSA: Exempt
Union: Non-Union 
Date Posted: June 29th, 2026

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The City of Somerville 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, and persons with disabilities are 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. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [email protected].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Delta Dental
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by ESI
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.