Code Enforcement Officer

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for a variety of inspections to ensure adherence to and identification of violations of City codes, ordinances, and regulations relating to environmental, public safety, health, and sanitation regulations.  Responsibilities could include field inspections and investigations; enforcement actions to abate violations; and testifying about the violations, enforcement actions, and information obtained during the investigations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Investigates complaints of code violations and works with the public to bring properties into compliance.
• Investigates complaints pertaining to health and safety hazards, property maintenance, zoning violations, abandoned/inoperable vehicles and public nuisances.
• Processes complaints including: issuing notice of violations, citations, letters, memos or legal documents, answering routine questions and routing technical questions to appropriate personnel, assisting walk-in customers as needed, and maintaining case management and filing systems.
• Prepares and processes written notices, warning, and citations of violation and orders to abate nuisances.
• Discusses and educates the public on local codes and enforcement procedures.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with state and county agencies, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Researches tax rolls and city ordinance books for property owners.
• Makes decisions within specified time restraints while managing multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions.
• Serves court documents.
• Testifies in court as to evidence gathered and presents cases, with direct and indirect evidence, before the Municipal Court.
• Prepares and prosecutes cases in Municipal Court with the assistance of the City Prosecutor including calling and examining witnesses, offenders and victims.
• Provides documentation for use in cost recovery by coordinating activities with other City departments to back up the cost recovery and preparing bills to owners for the cost recovery fees.
• Participates in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, physical fitness standards, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
• Requires regular and prompt attendance plus the ability to interact with others in a professional manner and maintain professional composure in heated situations.
• Assists other personnel and units as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed not limited to overtime details for public safety purposes. 

KNOWLEDGE of, SKILLS AND ABILITIES to:

• Some knowledge of the principles of land usage and zoning.
• Some knowledge of the local City Ordinances.
• Some knowledge of the geography of the City.
• Some knowledge of federal and state statutes.
• Some knowledge of web-based software.
• Ability to interpret and apply fairly and tactfully zoning ordinances for the public.
• Ability to understand maps, land measurements and legal descriptions.
• Ability to compile, analyze and evaluate data.
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with property owners, contractors and the public.
• Ability to use radios and other communications equipment.
• Ability to use standard office equipment.
• Ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain complex and difficult clerical records and to prepare detailed reports.
• Proven ability to handle and maintain confidential information with discretion.
• Proficient knowledge, skills, and ability to use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency, and
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in Code Enforcement, Zoning Enforcement, Law Enforcement, or Building Inspection is preferred; and
• Ability to become a Certified Police Officer within 6 months.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and acceptable MVR.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited university with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Planning, Public or Business administration, Political Science, Geography, Economics or other closely related field; and
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in code enforcement, zoning enforcement, law enforcement or building inspection is preferred; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, & OTHER CAPABILITIES:

The job is performed primarily outdoors and may expose the employee to inclement weather conditions, hazards of construction sites, animals and insects.  Work is required in all types of weather.  Ten percent of the work for this position is performed indoors.

Physical:  The Code Enforcement Officer must have the ability to sit, stand, walk, see, bend, stoop, talk, hear, kneel, crouch, smell, climb, balance on ladders, crawl in confined spaces, and lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) without assistance.  Work requires regular use of hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and to reach with hands and arms.