Code Enforcement Officer

Job Summary

The objective of the Code Enforcement Inspector is to keep the citizens of the City of Huntsville safe and healthy by resolving property maintenance standards and zoning ordinance complaints. This is accomplished by enforcing all pertinent City Ordinances and State laws. Additional tasks include assuring all are educated with Code Enforcement standards so as to maintain and improve the quality of life for the citizens and property owners in the City of Huntsville.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties described below are indicative of what a Code Enforcement Inspector may be asked to perform; duties may be changed with or without notice.

• Performs code compliance inspection and enforces Development Codes and City of Huntsville Ordinances pertaining to housing codes, water/sewer violations, onsite sewage facilities, overgrown vegetation, trash and debris, junk/abandoned automobiles, etc.

• Reviews permit applications for commercial pools and perform inspections for pre-opening requirements.

• Conducts annual public pools inspections.

• Notifies violators and provides instructions to gain compliance.

• Assists building inspectors and works with Enforcement Authority.

• Investigates complaints for non-compliance with state laws.

• Responds to public inquiries, interdepartmental and interagency communications, etc.

• Organizes processes and maintains inspection reports.

• Court appearances: testifies on the City’s behalf in court cases that involve code compliance.

• Perform backup responsibilities for other inspectors within the department

• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

REQUIRED

• University, community college, business school, trade or technical school or equivalent training and work experience in Code Enforcement or relate field.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Code Enforcement Inspections preferred.

• Ability to attain Code Enforcement Officer certification within 18 months.

• Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Skilled in building positive relationships and fostering cooperation with staff and the public.

• Ability to maintain professionalism and influence positive interactions when engaging with the public.

• Ability to comprehend and retain city and state policies and legislation i.e., city ordinances, occupied/rental housing codes, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules and regulations, International Property Maintenance Code regulations, etc.

• Bilingual is preferred.

REASONING ABILITIES

• Ability to provide expert advice without formal supervisory responsibility.

• Ability to plan work and establish job priorities.

• Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.

• Ability to respond to complaints and grievances from citizens.

• Ability to identify problems and deal with a variety of situations.

• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and initiate conflict resolution.

• Ability to use good judgment and effectively solve problems.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Strong ability to communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, and the public to build understanding and collaboration.

• Skilled in conveying information clearly in both written and verbal forms to influence positive outcomes.

• Proficient in interpreting and applying City codes, policies, procedures, written instructions, and general correspondence to ensure clarity and compliance.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to calculate basic mathematical calculations (add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The duties of this job may include physical activities such as climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, bending/twisting, and performing repetitive motions.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision; depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Inside and outside environment.

• Repetitive activities (performance of the same physically and mentally demanding activity).

• Unpleasant social situations (necessity of dealing with irate or disturbed individuals).

• Air contamination may work in areas with foul odors.

• May be in the general proximity of electrical hazards, road hazards, vibration and confining workspaces.

• Working under distractions (telephone calls, distractions, disturbances).

• Intense or continuous noise.

• Improper illumination (glare, inadequate lighting, etc.).

• High or low temperatures.