Ability to: Coordinate and direct a comprehensive and complex permitting and plan checking program; supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff; select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing plan checking and inspection services; understand the organization and operation of the department and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; effectively represent the division to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit; work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility; read and interpret complex maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints; apply engineering and architectural principles and practices to resolve problems with technical construction objectives; interpret and explain departmental policies and procedures; prepare clear and concise reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Knowledge of: Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a complex building plan checking, and permitting program; modern and complex principles and practices of structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design; methods and techniques of building construction; principles of municipal budget preparation and control; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; principles and procedures of record keeping; principles of business letter writing and report preparation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers; computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.