Assistant Building Official

Job summary

Supports construction approvals, residential occupancy maintenance, and rental property registry programs through permit dispatch, plans examination, inspections, and investigation of unapproved construction. Provides technical guidance on building regulations, manages customer requests and compliance-related tenders, prepares reports and correspondence, and coordinates tenant safety-net services with external agencies.

Job details

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for four (4) permanent, full-time positions of Assistant Building Official in the Building and Engineering Standards division of Planning and Development. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application. The Assistant Building Official is required to act in concert with other regulatory staff and agencies in order to ensure compliance with construction, development, and other health and safety-related regulations. The Assistant Building Official is primarily responsible for assisting in the delivery of three programs: Construction Approvals, Maintenance of Residential Occupancies, and Registry of Rental Properties. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide dispatch support for Permits and Inspections programs as assigned by the Supervisor; Conduct plans examination of proposals for permit issuance; Investigate and ensure processing when unapproved construction activities have not obtained the required permits; Respond to requests and conduct detailed inspections of Residential Occupancies pursuant to Bylaw M200 and the Fire Safety Act; Prepare, receive, approve, and manage tenders for work required to remedy noncompliant property conditions; Provide technical advice regarding the Nova Scotia Building Code and communicate with Professional Architects, Engineers, Contractors, HRM staff, external agencies, and the public; Manage and respond to customer service requests and complaints originating from HRM citizens and internal agencies; Prepare technical reports, formulate correspondence, and discuss findings in support of the programs; Coordinate outside agencies who provide “safety net” services to tenants of residential occupancies during extreme situations, i.e.: Residential Tenancy Program, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience: Successful completion of a 2-year post-secondary education program in a construction, construction management or construction design related field or Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency trade certification in a building construction related field. Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License. Membership in the NS Building Officials Association and participation in or completion of the Associations Professional Studies Program is considered an asset. Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of HRM Bylaw M200 and its application to existing buildings and occupancies. Basic knowledge of the application of the Canadian Building and Fire Codes to new and existing buildings and occupancies. Knowledge of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, the Nova Scotia Building Code Act and Regulations, Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act, would be considered an asset. Must have a sound knowledge and understanding of common law principals. Understanding of precedents resulting from Court and Regulatory Body decisions would be considered an asset. Knowledge of associated construction approval departments and agencies as well as their related procedures and regulations is considered an asset. Knowledge of business related software and technology, i.e. spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, etc.) Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check. Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion. COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Decision Making, Organization & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Valuing Diversity WORK STATUS: 4 Permanent, Full-Time Positions HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours & hybrid may be available. SALARY: NSGEU 222 level 07, $37.22 per hour WORK LOCATION: 3rd Floor of Duke Tower (5251 Duke St. Halifax, NS) CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026 This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates. Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted. To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration. Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications. During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax (position # 78628116, 72289187, 78628115, 72281644)

What you’ll do

Supports construction approvals, residential occupancy maintenance, and rental property registry programs through permit dispatch, plans examination, inspections, and investigation of unapproved construction. Provides technical guidance on building regulations, manages customer requests and compliance-related tenders, prepares reports and correspondence, and coordinates tenant safety-net services with external agencies.

Requirements

Requires a two-year post-secondary program in a construction-related field or Nova Scotia trade certification in building construction, as well as a valid Nova Scotia driver's license. Knowledge of municipal bylaws, building and fire codes, common law principles, and construction approval processes is required or considered an asset; membership in the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association is also an asset.

Listed skills

• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Customer service · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Teamwork · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Building Code Compliance
• Plans Examination
• Building Inspections
• Construction Approvals
• Residential Occupancy Inspections
• Permit Processing
• Regulatory Compliance
• Technical Advice
• Customer Service
• Complaint Management
• Technical Report Writing
• Conflict Management
• Analytical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Organization And Planning
• Teamwork

Job areas

• Government & Public Sector
• Construction
• Trades
• Engineering
• Security & Safety

More jobs from Halifax Regional Municipality