Housing Property Investigator

BACKGROUND:
The City of Cleveland Heights is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with a population of just under 45,000 people. The City is currently seeking a Housing Property Investigator to join its growing housing & inspectional services team.

SUMMARY:
The Housing Property Investigator will work under the Assistant Director of Housing & Inspectional Services to maintain an inventory of vacant, foreclosed, bank-owned, and nuisance candidates.  Incumbent will provide regular updates and reports on those properties and inspect them for any code violations. Incumbent will also pursue owners, lenders, lienholders, agents, and other responsible parties of problem properties in order to obtain service of notices and compliance of code violations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.

• Track and monitor all properties that are in foreclosure, bankruptcy, vacant, bank-owned, tax delinquent, or nuisance candidates
• Coordinate with economic development staff on maintaining an inventory of available properties with associated details
• Inspect foreclosed and problem properties to identify property status and code violations
• Contact banks, servicers, lenders, attorneys, and other responsible parties to vacant or foreclosed properties to obtain compliance for minimum maintenance standards
• Coordinate all complaints regarding tall grass, lack of heat, vacant properties and other special projects
• Pursue and monitor properties that have not obtained Point of Sale Inspections or Occupancy Permits
• Track Sheriff’s Sale activity to include providing the Director of Housing & Inspectional Services with reports regarding the results of all sales
• Coordinate with Cuyahoga County to ensure properties are moving through the tax foreclosure process as appropriate
• Update ownership/address records upon receipt of title transfer reports and checks for compliance with Point-of-Sale requirements
• Assist homeowners that have shown a lack of progress on their violation lists by determining the reasons for insufficiency and referring them to agencies than can help obtain compliance
• Conduct new inspections and re-inspections on properties as needed
• Coordinate the initiation of all new programs that are created for housing rehab, construction, or development
• Prepare reports as requested by the Assistant Director of Housing & Inspectional Services

• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:

• None

       QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Knowledge of:

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of housing programs, policies, policies and operational needs
• County foreclosure process, Sheriff's Sale, and tax delinquency
• City policies and procedures related to land use and development
• Techniques used to inspect residential and commercial construction to ensure compliance with adopted codes and ordinances

 
Skill in:

• Use of computers and related software applications including Excel, Word, GIS, and PowerPoint
   

Ability to:

• Apply planning principles to work assignments, implement City ordinances and policies
• Review site plans, landscape plans, and architectural elevations to analyze the potential impact of development proposals
• Plan, organize, and manage the activities of project teams and projects to completion
• Conduct research, compile data, analyze findings, identify key issues and prepare professional recommendations
• Seek, write and manage grants
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment
• Provide quality customer service
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

 
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or any combination of education and experience equivalent preferred. Minimum five (5) years of construction or inspection experience required.

CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE:

• Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio driver's license.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOURS OF WORK
The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hours per week). The position requires reporting to City Hall most of the time, with frequent time spent in the field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. May require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Incumbents may be exposed to hazardous conditions, vacant dwellings, open trenches and heights while performing inspections. Exposure to risks can be substantially controlled by safety precautions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, electricity, chemicals, varying weather conditions, and intense noises.

The City of Cleveland Heights is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Salary : $53,373 - $72,800