CAREER PATH
THE STEP ABOVE
BECOMING A
BUILDING OFFICIAL
POST -SECONDARY GRAD OR PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT REVIEW (PLAR)
The PLAR is a process to assess whether your experience may be accepted in lieu of post secondary education.
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IF YOU ARE A.....
POST-SECONDARY GRADUATE:
Examples: Architectural Technology, Engineering Technology, Construction, Architecture, Engineering. Also good to have construction and customer service experience.
Prior Learning Assessment Review:
BUILDING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL:
Examples: Developer, Contractor, etc.
FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONAL:
Examples: Architectural Technologist, Skilled Trade, Engineer, Architect
CANADA-CERTIFIED TRADESPERSON:
Examples: Plumber, HVAC, Carpenter, Electrician, Skilled Trade
TAKE ENTRY-LEVEL BUILDING CODE COURSES
Take entry- level courses (in as little as a week!) in advance of applying for a job to have a competitive advantage. These courses are available through OBOA or your local community college. In addition, OBOA and George Brown College have partnered to develop the Building Officials Fundamentals Certificate which is offered by OBOA and George Brown College.
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GET CERTIFIED
Many Building Official jobs require you to have your CBCO designation or be working towards attaining it. *CBCO (Certified Building Code Official) and *BCQ (Building Code Qualified) are career-boosting voluntary designations that go above and beyond the MMAH (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) requirements.
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BUILD YOUR
BUILDING OFFICIAL CAREER
ENTRY LEVEL
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2-3 years Architectural or Engineering Tech. (or equivalent experience.
Within 6 months of hire, pass the following MMAH exams:
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Legal Processes
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House
TYPICAL ENTRY LEVEL TASKS
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Intermediate Level Role
HOUSING & SMALL BUILDINGS PLANS EXAMINER / BUILDING INSPECTOR
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1-2 years of entry level Building Official experience.
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Has demonstrated knowledge & avility to review plans and conduct inspections on residential and small commercial or industrial projects.
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OR
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Has experience in the building industry.
Within 12 months of hire, pass the following MMAH exams:
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Legal Processes
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House
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Plumbing
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HVAC
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Small Buildings
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Buildings Structural
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Building Services
Intermediate Level Role
LARGE BUILDINGS PLANS EXAMINER / BUILDING INSPECTOR
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Experienced Building Officials qualified under various designations.
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OR
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Individuals with work experience in this area such as architect or engineer.
Within 12 months of hire, pass the following MMAH exams:
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Large Buildings
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Complex Buildings
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Building Structural
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Building Services
Intermediate Level Role
SPECIALTY PLANS EXAMINER / BUILDING INSPECTOR
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Possesses specialized qualifications or designations (e.g HVAC Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing, Septic Inspector, etc) Typically works in medium / large municipalities.
Qualifications are assessed on an individual basis. This individual would typically take courses to enhance current knowledge with Building Code expertise. Within 12 months or hire, pass appropriate MMAH exams.
TYPICAL INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL TASKS
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Senior Level Roles
CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL / DEPUTY CBO
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The CBO has a Chief Building Official designation with the MMAH.
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Senior-level individual who has demonstrated leadership, operational and technical abilities.
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Has good knowledge of the Building Code.
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Understands risk liability.
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Has great communication skills.
Responsibilities include:
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Personnel and administrative supervision.
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Government relations and advocacy.
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Financial management and budgeting.
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Report writing and more.
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CBO's benefit from an OBOA Certified Building Code Official (CBCO) designation.