Manager Building Permits

About Us As one of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities that make a lasting impact within the local community. As the sixth-largest city in BC and the largest municipality in the Tri-Cities, Coquitlam is home to more than 160,000 residents and continues to grow as one of Metro Vancouver’s most dynamic and connected communities. Our municipality serves as the Regional Town Centre of the Northeast Sector of Metro Vancouver and is thriving through innovative planning and urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and modern urban parks. We are well-connected by state-of-the-art transportation systems and are experiencing significant transit-oriented growth around the Evergreen Line SkyTrain stations, while continuing to build complete, livable neighbourhoods in Southwest Coquitlam, City Centre and on Burke Mountain. Our brand is grounded in excellence in governance, strong and accountable financial management, responsible and sustainable resource management, and the ongoing development of a vibrant, growing regional urban centre supported by new infrastructure and public amenities. The City has been recognized for excellence in municipal administration and is home to a high-performing organization that values innovation, collaboration, and public service. We are deeply committed to advancing reconciliation, fostering equity, diversity and inclusion, and maintaining respectful relationships with First Nations. We envision a bright future in Coquitlam — one built on teamwork, integrity, and service excellence — and we hope it includes you. About You / What We Are Looking For The City of Coquitlam is seeking an experienced, technically grounded, and collaborative leader to serve as Manager, Building Permits – Inspections, reporting to the Director of Building Permits and Chief Building Official. In this leadership role, you are responsible for overseeing the inspections side of the building permit process, from permit issuance through construction completion. You bring extensive experience in building inspections and construction regulation, with a strong focus on public safety, risk management, and legislative compliance. You are comfortable exercising professional judgement in complex, high-impact situations and providing clear direction in a fast-paced municipal environment. As one of the City’s Building Officials, you act as the Authority Having Jurisdiction under the BC Building Code, providing leadership and guidance on technical, policy, and enforcement matters related to building inspections and bylaw administration. You are a trusted advisor to the Chief Building Official and senior leadership, capable of translating complex technical and regulatory issues into clear, practical guidance and recommendations. You work closely with the Manager, Building Permits – Approvals and internal partners to ensure a coordinated, end-to-end permit process. You thrive in a collaborative, service-oriented environment and balance operational accountability with continuous improvement to ensure inspections are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with community and industry expectations. You are a people-centred leader who fosters accountability, professionalism, and learning, supporting staff development while ensuring the inspections function delivers reliable, high-quality service that protects public safety and community interests. What you will do Plan, organize, and direct the work of the Building Permits – Inspections function, ensuring effective oversight of all construction activity from permit issuance to project completion. Provide leadership and management to trades inspection staff, establishing clear priorities, service standards, and performance expectations. Act as one of the City’s Building Officials and Authority Having Jurisdiction under the BC Building Code. Oversee and approve building inspection practices, inspection decisions, and alternative solution and code equivalency proposals. Ensure inspections are conducted in compliance with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal legislation, bylaws, codes, and corporate policies. Provide expert technical, policy, and enforcement advice to staff, senior leadership, Council, and external stakeholders. Develop, review, and implement policies, procedures, and guidelines related to building inspections and bylaw administration. Monitor division performance, including service levels and turnaround times, and adjust staffing and resources as required. Work closely with the Manager, Building Permits – Approvals to ensure coordinated service delivery across the full permit lifecycle. Prepare, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets in coordination with the Director of Building Permits.  Represent the division, at the direction of the Chief Building Official, at interdepartmental and external meetings. Lead workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, training, and labour relations matters for the inspections function. Make bylaw enforcement decisions, sign affidavits, and appear in court related to building and construction matters when required. Participate in emergency response activities, including the Emergency Operations Centre, when required. Represent the City on regional, technical, and senior government committees related to building inspections and construction regulation. Minimum Qualifications Diploma of Technology in architecture, mechanical, environmental, or a closely related field. Completion of a Certificate of Apprenticeship leading to a Trades Qualification (TQ). A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspections or construction regulation, including at least five (5) years as a Building Inspector. Qualified as a Level 3 Building Official, under the Building Act General Regulation, through the Building Officials’ Association of BC or be an exempt person under the Building Act, a professional engineer or registered architect; Designated as a Registered Building Official, under the Building Officials’ Association Act, through the Building Officials’ Association of BC; Thorough knowledge of the BC Building Code and applicable Federal, Provincial, and Municipal legislation and bylaws. Preferred Qualifications Senior-level experience in a municipal or public-sector building inspections environment. Experience acting as, or supporting the role of, a Chief Building Official. Experience leading trades-based inspection teams in a unionized environment. Demonstrated experience in policy development, enforcement decision-making, and Council reporting. Experience managing complex or high-risk construction projects. Other Requirements include: Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to foster accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Excellent technical judgement and decision-making skills in the interpretation and application of building codes, bylaws, and regulations. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and regulatory matters to non-technical audiences. Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment. Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with staff, elected officials, developers, consultants, senior government agencies, and the public. Solid financial and resource management skills, including budget preparation and monitoring. High level of integrity, political awareness, and organizational acumen. What We Offer: This excluded position has an annual salary range of $142,820 - $160,654 (2025 rates). The rate of pay is based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills. You will have the chance to join a rapidly growing and diverse team dedicated to supporting the local community, and be able to engage in variety of learning and development opportunities. Additionally, there is an opportunity to participate in an earned day off/flex day program. This position is based in Coquitlam with some flexible, hybrid work options available. The City offers an attractive vacation and extended benefits package, including the ability to contribute to the Municipal Pension Plan. Accessibility / Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit coquitlam.ca/edi for more information. If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required.