Top 100 Best Places to Live - Livability, 2019

The Community Morgantown is home to a culturally diverse population. Located along the banks of the Monongahela River, the city is made up of seven wards and has a strong neighborhood association network. Neighborhoods include First Ward, Woodburn, South Park, Jerome Park, South Hills, Greenmont, Suncrest, Evansdale, Wiles Hill/Highland Park and Norwood.

As the county seat of Monongalia, Morgantown is within a 500 mile radius of one-half of the population of the U.S. and one-third of the population of Canada. Morgantown is one day’s drive from six of the eight largest U.S. metropolitan areas, 20 metro areas of populations of 1 million or more, and two of the nation’s top 35 industrial markets. Morgantown is located at the intersection of Interstate 79 and Interstate 68, giving visitors and businesses easy access in all directions to the greater Morgantown region.

Bronze Bicycle The city contained an estimated 30,955 residents in 2018. The Morgantown Friendly Community metro area contains roughly 117,000 permanent residents, including over 30,000 full-time students at West Virginia University, the state’s land grant League of American university. About half of Morgantown residents are college graduates and the Bicyclists 2016 city has a robust appreciation for the arts and entertainment. Within the city, the downtown area provides several venues for live music, arts, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The Mon River Rail-Trail, city parks, and nearby Coopers Rock State Forest provide excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. The citizens of Morgantown are educated and civic minded. They take an active and engaging role in local issues and their government. Several national organizations have recognized Morgantown as one of the best places to live. The Organization Morgantown has a council-manager form of city government. The City Council serves as the legislative branch, electing one of its members as Mayor at the first regular meeting in July of each year. The City Manager is appointed by City Council and reports directly to the elected officials. City operations are supported by 275+ positions and a total budget of $37.4 million for the 2019- 2020 fiscal year.

One of the South’s The City of Morgantown Code Enforcement Division ensures buildings Best Small Town’s and rental units are safe for occupation. This is done through the Issuance of building permits for new construction, demolition permits for the safe Southern Living destruction of existing structures, property maintenance inspections, and 2019 routine rental housing inspections. Code Enforcement employs 12-14 people, including administrative support staff, inspectors, and compliance officers, along with occasional interns or other temporary staff.

Under the direction of the Development Services Director, the Chief Building Official is responsible for establishing priorities and work schedules for the division. The Chief assigns and supervises building inspectors, housing inspectors, property maintenance inspectors, and office staff. They ensure compliance with codes, ordinances, and established operating procedures. The Chief leads staff meetings to provide advice and technical code updates and interpretations. They meet with developers, realtors, contractors, engineers, architects, and property owners. The Chief will also review plans and issue permits if needed. Various national organizations recognize Morgantown as one of the best places to live in the nation.

• Morgantown was featured as a top “West Virginia • Morgantown is one of the “South’s Best Small Weekend Getaway” by Trips to Discover. Towns” by Southern Living. • Morgantown was recognized as the “Tastiest • Morgantown is one of the “Best Affordable Town” by the Charleston Gazette. Places to Live” by Livability. • Movoto ranked Morgantown the #1 “Most • Morgantown is the 28th community in the U.S. to Exciting Place in West Virginia” for its nightlife, earn a “Safe Communities” accreditation. music, and art. • WVU College of Law was named second in the • Morgantown is one of the “Top 100 Best Places nation for community impact. to Live” by Livability. • Morgantown is one of the Top 9 Weekend • Morgantown has been recognized as a “Tree City” Getaways from Pittsburgh by Trips to Discover. for multiple years in a row. • Morgantown ranked as one of the “Best Small • Morgantown was recognized as one of the “Top Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes. 15 College Football Towns in the Country” by • Morgantown ranked #1 as the “Greenest City” in Bleacher Report. West Virginia by Insurify. • Morgantown is also one of the “Top 10 Best • Morgantown ranked as a “Top 10 Places to Retire Places to Raise a Family” by Livability. Under $100 a Day” by AARP Magazine. • Morgantown has been named the “Most • Morgantown ranked #8 in the “30 Best Small Educated City in West Virginia” by Insurify. Sports Cities in the Country” by Wallet Hub. • Morgantown was named #1 place to live in West Virginia out of The Best Place to Live in Every State by Money magazine. The Opportunity The Position: Under the direction of the Development Services Director, the Chief Building Official is Position Title: Chief Building Official responsible for day-to-day functions of the Code Salary Range: $63,000 - $75,000 Enforcement Division. The Chief is responsible for Benefits: establishing priorities and work schedules for the Retirement – Employee contributes 6% Division and supervising building inspectors, housing into the City of Morgantown Pension Plan. inspectors, property maintenance inspectors, and Vested after 10 years, entitling the employee office staff. This position ensures compliance to an escalating benefit beginning at 25% with codes, ordinances, and established operating of annual pay. Unvested contributions are procedures. The Chief Building Official leads staff returned with interest at separation. meetings to provide advice and technical code updates and interpretations. The Chief meets Longevity Pay – Employees are eligible with developers, realtors, contractors, engineers, following the third year of service. architects, and property owners. Review plans and issue permits if needed.

Vacation – Pro-rated based on employment. This position oversees the Code Enforcement Employees accrue 15 days in first year which Division which averages 12-14 people, including begins on the first day of employment. administrative support staff, inspectors, and compliance officers, along with occasional interns or Sick Leave – Employees accrue 18 sick days other temporary staff. per year and 10 of those may be used for family illness. Start accruing on the 10th day Essential Duties and Responsibilities: of the first month of employment. • Perform all duties of the Building Official pursuant to Article 1701 of the Morgantown City Code, Heath Insurance – Low premiums, large and all other duties of a Code Official pursuant to provider network. $2k deductible and plan state and local law. pays 80% until employee has paid $500. Reasonable and customary paid at 100% • Supervise all staff members of the Code after that point. Eligible on the first of the Enforcement Division. month following start date. • Provide technical assistance and code interpretations. Determine applicable codes when Health Reimbursement Account – City questions arise. contributes $1,500 per year. Can be used • Recommend course of action on a case-by-case for anything that insurance covers (i.e., basis as need. deductibles, co-pays, etc.). Eligible on the first of the month following start date. • Meet with developers, realtors, contractors, engineers, architects, and property owners as Dental Insurance – $1k coverage. Allows needed to ensure code compliance. two cleanings per year covered at 100%. • Performs necessary paperwork to report Extractions, fillings are covered at 80%, and record inspections, makes inspection dentures, crowns, bridges, covered at 50%. appointments, and answers inquiries concerning inspections, procedures, building problems, code Vision Insurance – Pays 80% up to $400 that applications, and code requirements. covers an eye exam, glasses, and contacts. • Review and approve construction documents as needed. Flex Spending – Contribute up to $1,500/yr. Used for anything insurance does not cover • Works with various parties on the telephone, in (vision over $400 or dental work over $1k). person or through written correspondence to answer questions concerning building permits, Long Term Disability – After being absent rental housing, codes, complaints, and application for 90 days. Employees are eligible the first procedures. month following start date. • Maintains electronic and hard copy files of all Life Insurance – $75k which starts the first complaint and investigation cases. month following start date. • Attend staff and other meetings as required. • Requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

• Stays up-to-date on changes and new Education: High school graduate or equivalent. developments which affect various codes. • Promotes an image of professional, courteous Preferred Qualifications: College education with service as a representative of the City of degree in management, engineering, or related Morgantown. trades. Supplemental courses in building trades and seminars or conferences concerning general • Serve as an expert and/or fact witness in court. construction practices. • Responsible for the hiring and development of Code Enforcement staff, completion of Contact with Public and Officials:The Chief has performance evaluations, and enactment of regular contact with the general public, elected disciplinary action if necessary. officials, government agencies and NGOs. • Work closely with department managers Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: on projects to build a culture of continuous Hazardous conditions encountered on a daily basis improvement. include: elevated workplaces, mechanical hazards, • Performs related work and duties as needed or electrical hazards, fire hazards, and those hazards assigned by the Development Services Director associated with working on or around construction and the City Manager. sites including dozers, high lifts and other operating machinery, saws, exposed electrical wiring and Qualifications:The requirements listed below are panels, and flammable material, repeated bending, representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities crouching, and stooping. Performance of duties required to perform this position. may require work from ladders, scaffolding, or other elevated work places. Performance of activities Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: requiring fine eye-hand coordination • Requires general knowledge of all construction practices and the ability to read and interpret Equipment Used: General office equipment is plans, blueprints, electrical layouts, and maps. frequently used, including but not limited to code manuals, test equipment, tape measures, city issued • Thorough knowledge of municipal codes and vehicle, computers, laptops, telephone and cell building codes. phone, printers, and cameras. • Knowledge of office equipment including phone, fax, copier and printer. The Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate would be an ICC Certified Building Official and have extensive • Software experience (Microsoft office programs). knowledge and experience with planning, zoning, • Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects building, and fire codes and standards set forth by simultaneously. the International Code Council and WV State Code. • Ability to read construction plans and work with contractors and developers concerning all phases of construction work. • Capability to work with minimal supervision. • Ability to resolve complaints and work with dissatisfied customers in person, by telephone or email. • Requires the physical ability to climb ladders and scaffolding.

Minimum Qualifications:

• ICC CBO certification or alternate qualification as a code official pursuant to West Virginia Code of State Rule Title 87, Series 7, Section 3.

• Experience in municipal government working with officials, citizens, and various agencies. How to Apply: Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

City of Morgantown 389 Spruce Street Morgantown, WV 26505 O: 304-284-7451 F: 304-225-3590 www.morgantownwv.gov

The deadline to apply is February 18, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. For questions or additional information please contact the Human Resources Department at 304- 284-7451.

The City of Morgantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics protected by law.

Background check required.