Chief Building & Compliance Officer

The Township of Ignace is accepting applications for Chief Building & Compliance Officer. Hours of work are 40 hours per week, regularly from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Township of Ignace is seeking a dedicated and skilled professional for the dynamic role of Chief Building & Compliance Officer (CBCO). Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and working closely within the Planning and Building department, the successful candidate will manage building permit applications, inspections, site plan reviews, and ensure comprehensive compliance with the Ontario Building Code, municipal bylaws, zoning regulations, and related provincial legislation. This key position promotes safe and sustainable community development through consistent enforcement of building standards, effective communication, and proactive collaboration with residents, developers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and municipal staff.

In addition, the CBCO will serve as the township’s senior authority for municipal bylaw enforcement, responsible for maintaining community standards and public safety. This involves interpreting and enforcing bylaws related to property standards, zoning compliance, noise control, parking, animal regulations, and other local ordinances. The incumbent will handle complex investigations and challenging enforcement situations by employing advanced conflict resolution skills, sound judgment, and discretion. Given the diverse and essential responsibilities, flexibility between building-related duties and enforcement activities will be required to effectively support the Township’s continued growth, safety, and community well-being.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Chief Building Official Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage the Township’s building permit process, including meticulous review, issuance, and inspection of all building permits to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Plumbing Code Act, municipal zoning bylaws, and the Township’s Official Plan.
• Conduct detailed technical reviews of complex architectural plans, site plans, engineering reports, and supporting documentation, evaluating their conformity to relevant codes, standards, and regulations.
• Perform comprehensive, stage-specific inspections (foundations, structural integrity, fire safety, plumbing, septic installations, accessibility, and final occupancy) to ensure compliance and quality assurance.
• Clearly identify and communicate violations, issue orders when necessary, and provide professional technical guidance to residents, developers, builders, and design professionals to achieve compliance efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with municipal planners, engineers, health units, and external regulatory bodies to ensure coordinated and consistent application of development standards and regulatory practices.
• Oversee septic system inspections, approvals, compliance monitoring, and enforcement under Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code, Nutrient Management Act, and applicable environmental legislation.
• Maintain accurate, organized electronic documentation of all permits, inspections, compliance issues, reports, and correspondence, ensuring timely reporting to Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
• Provide authoritative interpretation and guidance regarding regulatory requirements and building code issues to municipal administration, council, contractors, design professionals, and the general public.

Bylaw Enforcement Responsibilities:

• Serve as the township’s principal bylaw enforcement authority, ensuring proactive and comprehensive enforcement of municipal bylaws relating to property standards, zoning compliance, noise, parking, animal control, and public nuisances.
• Investigate and respond effectively to complaints from residents and businesses, thoroughly documenting investigations, evidence collection, interviews, and resolution actions.
• Employ advanced conflict-resolution and negotiation strategies to secure voluntary compliance, managing complex and sensitive situations with tact, fairness, impartiality, and professionalism.
• Prepare and issue Provincial Offences Notices (PONs), Provincial Information Notices (PINs), compliance orders, and notices in strict accordance with municipal and provincial legal requirements.
• Represent the Township professionally in court proceedings and administrative hearings, preparing comprehensive court briefs, evidence packages, and providing credible expert testimony when required.
• Work collaboratively with other municipal departments (Fire Services, Public Works), external agencies, law enforcement, animal control services, and community stakeholders to facilitate cohesive enforcement efforts.
• Assist in reviewing, developing, updating, and refining municipal bylaws, ensuring clarity, enforceability, alignment with municipal objectives, and community needs.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, electronic records of enforcement actions, investigations, and outcomes, providing analytical reports to assist strategic planning and policy development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Architectural Technology, Applied Science, Municipal Law Enforcement, Law Enforcement, or a closely related field strongly prefered.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible municipal experience preferred, ideally encompassing building inspection, municipal bylaw enforcement, regulatory compliance, or closely related duties.
• Proven experience interpreting and applying relevant legislation, including the Ontario Building Code Act, Provincial Offences Act, municipal zoning and property standards bylaws, and related regulatory frameworks.

Licensing & Certifications:

• Certification as a Chief Building Official (CBO) and/or Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) strongly preferred. Candidates without certifications but committed to obtaining them will be considered, with training and certification assistance provided.
• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License and a clear driving abstract.
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check prior to employment.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills, including the demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical documents such as building codes, blueprints, site plans, engineering reports, and municipal bylaws.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of interacting professionally and effectively with residents, businesses, contractors, municipal staff, elected officials, and external regulatory agencies.
• Proven ability to manage conflicts, resolve complex issues, and exercise sound judgment and discretion in challenging or sensitive situations.
• Excellent organizational, record-keeping, and time management skills, able to prioritize competing demands in a busy and dynamic municipal environment.
• Proficiency with computer software including Microsoft Office Suite, electronic records management systems, permit-tracking software, and reporting databases.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and maintain a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity at all times.

Additional Experience:

• Experience working in small or rural municipalities, performing diverse municipal functions beyond building inspection and bylaw enforcement (e.g., public works, planning, municipal administration), is highly desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Regular working hours are typically 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with flexibility required to accommodate inspections, enforcement duties, council meetings, or public consultations outside regular hours.
• Required to be available on-call periodically to respond promptly to urgent bylaw enforcement situations, building safety concerns, and other municipal emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
• Work involves frequent travel within the Township for site inspections, enforcement patrols, and attending off-site meetings.
• Position involves fieldwork that may include exposure to construction sites, uneven terrain, hazardous conditions, inclement weather, noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
• Must occasionally lift, move, or handle inspection equipment or items related to enforcement activities.
• Frequently required to engage professionally and effectively with residents, contractors, and other stakeholders, including addressing complaints, conflicts, or difficult interactions with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.

Support for NWMO and Deep Geological Repository Project

The Township of Ignace is proud to continue its efforts to support the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and its Revell site for the deep geological repository for the storage of used nuclear fuel. As we know, there have been studies completed in the past, which include many hours of preparation and participation from the Township of Ignace. We appreciate the hard work that has been completed to date and the initiation and launch of these two new studies will be building upon and incorporating elements of those foundational efforts from the past into the work that lies ahead for the future. It is important that we have up-to-date and relevant information that the consultants can utilize through their engagement with the community, discussion with relevant stakeholders, governments of Ontario & Canada and other community groups. Ultimately, this feedback will come back to Council with sound recommendations to analyze and move forward.

To prepare for the projected growth and changes within our community, we have partnered with Explorer Solutions to develop a transitional housing strategy that addresses the community's short- and long-term housing needs. In addition, Explorer Solutions will conduct a feasibility study to determine whether there is enough demand to support the reopening of the Ignace Municipal Airport.

These projects will directly impact our community, and we want to hear from our residents. As such, we invite you to complete this survey to share your opinions and insights. Your thoughts will help shape the direction of both projects, as well as inform the recommendations that will guide the future of Ignace.

(Note: There will be an opportunity to provide additional comments at the end of the survey.)

We invite you to complete this short online survey. 

Alternatively, hard copies of this survey are available at the following locations:

All hard copy and electronic survey responses will be accepted until Friday, February 14, 2025 (at 5:00 pm).

Thanks again and we encourage you to fill in the survey questions and be an active participant in shaping the future of Ignace.

Mayor Kim Baigrie and Members of Council

PUBLIC STATEMENT – The Township of Ignace

On April 29, 2024, a draft agreement appeared publicly on the upcoming agenda released by the Municipality of South Bruce, for their Council’s consideration and signing for their upcoming May 1, 2024, Special Meeting. The agreement was received earlier that morning and briefly analyzed by Township of Ignace Council, staff, and advisors. 

At first glance, the Municipality of South Bruce agreement seems to be more than double that of the Township of Ignace, but once you begin to conduct a simple per capita amount analysis of their agreement based on their population base, housing/homes, location of the proposed DGR including taxation factors, it is a much different picture. “That said, we are very different communities with unique characteristics and goals, and we, in Ignace remain proud and steadfast to have been the first community in this willingness process to be out of the gate with the NWMO by signing our hosting agreement in March 2024”, stated Mayor Kim Baigrie.

The South Bruce agreement includes base factors such as population figures - which are five times that of Ignace (5600 vs 1200) and the number of homes/housings that is almost four times greater (2381 vs 644) than Ignace and include the direct taxation amount of the DGR which is located within their municipal boundaries.  When this significant amount is deducted from the proposed DGR (25%) because it is situated within the boundaries of their community and includes two other villages and you conduct the calculation on a per capita basis, the Township of Ignace corrected amount far exceeds that of South Bruce ($150k vs $56k). 

Another important factor to consider is the after the site operations are closed, a monitoring phase begins which, in South Bruce includes calculations for revenue for the community for up to 138 years, as the property tax/special facility payment will be continued to be paid to the Municipality of South Bruce.

The following chart provides a brief summary of the per capita analysis for both communities:

“Regardless, of our analysis, when we began negotiations with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, we were advised that each and every potential hosting agreement would be negotiated in good faith, with the community’s best interest as a guiding principle and as such would all be different based on the fact that all  four of  the communities/areas remaining in this process have very unique circumstances, and as the first community to have set the bar, we remain proud of the potential hosting agreement for the benefit of all in Ignace”, stated Mayor Baigrie.

“It is important to remember that each community we are negotiating an agreement with for the potential siting of the deep geological repository, has extremely unique circumstances and variable factors including population, housing needs and whether the potential site is within municipal boundaries or not. These are all factors that we needed to consider moving forward in that community’s proposed draft agreement”, stated Lise Morton, Vice President of Site Selection, NWMO.

Mayor and Council for the Township of Ignace would like to remind its residents that If you have not already registered and voiced your vote With Chela Inc., please do so until midnight tonight.

Approximately 40 Exhibits, Panelists and Nuclear Industry representatives from all of over Canada set to descend in Ignace, ON on April 12th and 13th, 2024!

The Township of Ignace Mayor and Council, event planning personnel and Township staff, including members of the Willingness Ad Hoc Committee have been diligently preparing to host the most important Northwestern Ontario Nuclear Exploration Event yet.  The event is set to take place on April 12^th and 13^th, 2024 at the Ignace Recreational Centre, with a special smudging ceremony and prayer from Donna Chief, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation at 10 am.

“We are so excited to once again be hosting this important, learning, and educational event for our residents, surrounding municipalities, our First Nation neighbours, local students and regional partners and stakeholders.  We are stressing that all our greater community comes out and has an opportunity to ask questions about our recently signed potential hosting agreement, our recent tours, and meetings with industry partners across Canada, First Nation, and other community meetings we have attended around Canada and the world, including Finland.  We have Canadian representatives that are ready to tell their stories and we are so pleased that we have over 40 exhibits who will be on the ground and providing factual and critical information about the nuclear industry, safety in transportation, this proposed deep geological repository and the opportunities that are associated with it”, stated Mayor Kim Baigrie.  “But we don’t stop there, we also have invited those who are presenting the potential challenges of this project, and their voice must also be heard”, the Mayor went on to state.

On March 18^th,2024 Mayor and Council passed a unanimous resolution to sign an historic potential hosting agreement with the NWMO. The signing of this historic agreement allowed the Township, the Willingness Ad Hoc Committee, its residents, stakeholders, and other interested parties to consider the legal, financial, and regulatory implications as critical data points in moving forward with the willingness process and the determination of a final decision by Council in mid 2024.  This agreement and the Ignace Community Well Being Studies become very important resources for both the residents and Council in the community moving forward. Representatives of the Township and NWMO will be on hand to answer questions about that agreement and share summaries with the residents of Ignace.  The agreement in its entirety, a summary of the agreement, the Township resolutions and other information are all posted on the Township website.

The Northwestern Nuclear Exploration Event will also be an important opportunity resident within the community to continue to stay engaged with the willingness process currently underway in the Township of Ignace.  With Chela Inc., the municipal engagement consultants, advisors and peer review experts for the study and Willingness Ad Hoc Committee members will all be represented and in attendance.  With Chela Inc. will also be registering residents for confidential interviews, and the community will be able to ask questions about the methodology and hear about the progress of the study.

Mayor Kim Baigrie will be hosting a special PANCAKE Breakfast on Saturday April 13^th at 9:00 am in the Kid’s Zone with Mayor Blair Skinner (Pinawa, Manitoba) and Mayor Adrian Foster (Clarington, Ontario) both members of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities.  The breakfast will be sponsored by the Township of Ignace, and everyone is invited to come free of charge.  Organizers are asking those attending that, if they are able to, please bring and donate a dry good for the local Mary Berglund Food Bank. It would be very much appreciated.

NNEE 2024 - Northwest Nuclear Exploration Event Exhibitors List 

Exhibitors List for the Nuclear Exploration Event in Ignace ON April 12/13 2024

Northwest Nuclear Exploration Event 2024

Northwest Nuclear Exploration Event Final

The Regular Meeting of Council originally set for Monday, March 18th has been rescheduled to Monday, March 25^th @ 6:00 p.m.

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Please note that this year’s Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting that was originally scheduled for December 2, 2023 within the Township has been postponed due to some unforeseen circumstances. Please accept our sincere apologies.

The new proposed date of this event is now December 20, 2023 and the Township of Ignace will continue to provide updates on this new date throughout the month of December.

Once again, our apologies for the delay and we hope that this has not caused any inconvenience.

Thank you.