Page 43 - City of Arcata - Building Official - AMB 05 15 19

Dean Beck ment. Dean spends long periods of time at each institution he has belonged to. He has been wanting to lead the
Friday, May 10, 2019 8:55 AM Building Official position for some time now.

KA Closing
Building Official 8. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Phone Screen Questions
Dean has spent much of his time collaborating with departments. He is a believer in team building and because of
General Questions that, he has a strong network behind him to lean on when he needs to reach out for a more seasoned opinion.
1. Why are you open to or actively looking for a new position?
Overall Comments: Dean has a strong background in construction and expressed his desire to be considered for the
Dean is looking for growth in his next role. He feels that the next step in his career is Building Official. He sees the Building Official opening a number of times. He does seem averse to political situations because he just wants to
opportunity at the City of Arcata as a place to apply his experience and continue learning. do his job. Dean is very involved in his community and loves to be out in the field. I recommend Dean for the panel
interview portion to tease out his actual qualifications for the position and to see if he can withstand the political
pressure that would come along with the position.
2. Please tell me about your current position and its day-to-day responsibilities. What is some of the overlap you
see between your current position and this one?

Dean makes daily inspections in his territory. He provides support and guidance to younger inspectors. Most of his Phone Notes:
day is spent out in the field monitoring construction projects and checking in on code enforcement. Dean fills out
reports, conducts performance reviews, and checks plans. He keeps his eyes on his community by reviewing activity Dean Beck-
and speaking to the proper authorities if he sees something that is concerning to him. The overlap he sees is in the 1.) Looking for growth. Feels that the next step in his career is BO. He thinks there is more opportunity at the City of
need for being in the trenches and not just leading the team from an office, but with his boots on the ground. Arcata to apply his experience.
2.) Makes daily inspections. Provides support and guidance to younger inspectors. Out in the field most of the day
Position Specific Questions to monitor construction and check-in on code enforcement. Fills out reports. Performance reviews. Checks plans.
3. What excites you most about the City of Arcata? Keeps his eyes on his community by reviewing activity and speaking to proper authority if there is something con-
cerning to him. Sees the overlap as still needing to be in the trenches with the work force.
Dean has been in Humboldt County since 1977. He has observed the City of Arcata over the years and is excited by 3.) He has been in Humboldt County since 1977. Looks forward to the new construction and development projects
the new development projects. He has always appreciated the city and has seen the transformation. He has always currently going on. He has always appreciated the community of Arcata.
wanted to be a Building Official within his community. 4.) Dean believes his job is strictly tied to the codes he enforces. He needs clear documentation from investors, so
that he can enforce the codes and ordinances that he is tasked with. He is willing to work with investors in getting
4. This includes communication with both the public, other city departments, and investors. How do you manage projects off the ground in a timely manner. He delivers what is needed to the public and is always open to the feed-
these various communications? back they provide. He has his boots on the ground and is public facing whenever he is in the field.
5.) Greatest strength: Being a team player and cheerleader for his team. Communication in diverse communities.
Dean believes that his job is to strictly enforce codes and procedures. He requests clear documentation no matter Thing to develop: the process side.
who he is working with on projects so that he can enforce the codes and ordinances of the county. He is willing to 6.) Recently was questioned by his supervisor about things that were not appropriate or necessary. He took that
work with investors in getting projects off the ground in a timely manner. Dean delivers what is needed to the public feedback and sat with his most senior department colleagues and hashed out a solution.
and is always open to the feedback they provide. He is constantly available to the public. 7.) Has been in construction for over 18 years. This is an opportunity for Dean to finish out his career in manage-
ment. Dean spends long periods of time with each position he gets into. He has been wanting to lead that depart-
5. What do you consider to be your greatest professional strength? What is something you would like to improve? ment specifically for some time now.
8.) He has spent much of his time collaborating with departments and team building. Dean has a strong network
His greatest strength is being a team player and cheerleader for those on his team who celebrate successes profes- behind him.
sionally. He also values communication in such a diverse community. Something Dean would like to improve and
continues to develop is the refining of process in his everyday job.

6. Please describe an experience you’ve had with navigating a politically sensitive situation.

Recently Dean was questioned by a supervisor about things that were not appropriate or necessary to his role as an
inspector. Dean took the feedback and sat with a few senior department colleagues and hashed out a solution. He
used the opportunity to learn how to diffuse conflict.

Professional Goals & Long-Term Fit
7. The City of Arcata is looking for a long-term fit. How do you ensure that you get the message across that you are
that long-term solution?

Dean has been in construction for over 18 years. This is an opportunity for him to finish out his career in manage-