Code Enforcement Officer - Part-Time

DEPARTMENT:         Administration

REPORTS TO:         Administration

RATE OF PAY:          Hourly Rate - $20/Hour - 20 Hours Per Week

JOB SUMMARY: The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with City regulations related to zoning, signage, property maintenance, building codes, business licenses, and nuisances. Code enforcement work is completed independently, with limited instruction or assistance, and requires well-developed program knowledge, sound judgment, and initiative. The Code Enforcement Officer conducts investigations related to municipal codes, ordinances, and policies; performs routine field inspections as assigned; and refers complaints and requests outside the scope of this position to the appropriate agency. This is a civilian position and does not include police powers, criminal investigations, arrest authority, or enforcement of criminal statutes. Appearance at Municipal Court for Code Enforcement-related citations is also required.

MAJOR DUTIES:

§  Responds to citizens’ complaints; inspects locations for violations; gathers and investigates evidence; and issues notices of violation and municipal code enforcement summonses, as authorized by City ordinance.

§  Patrols assigned area in a City vehicle to proactively identify and evaluate problem areas and ordinance violations and determines effective method to resolve violations.

§  Addresses illegal signage; removes illegal signs; issues citations; and educates businesses regarding sign regulations, facilitates sign disposal.

§  Attends court hearings; performs re-inspection of properties; processes photographic evidence; and prepares evidence for testimony.

§  Coordinates and attends meetings to educate the public about code compliance and safety; and participates in volunteer efforts to improve the community.

§  Communicates and coordinates projects between various departments within the City in order to maintain highest level of customer service.

§  Conducts business license checks as required and ensures businesses are in compliance with zoning regulations.

§  Tracks vacant properties and identifies blight structures that are in need of remediation. Completes abatement process by delivering certified letters, municipal code enforcement summonses and inspections reports to interested parties.

§  Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated time-frames and per established procedures; receives and reviews various documentation, including citizen complaints, citations, and business licenses; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including photographic evidence of violations, court summonses, and action reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

§  Refers criminal matters and situations requiring law enforcement authority to the Police Department.

 

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED POSITION:

 ·         Operations, services, and activities of a municipal code compliance program.

·         Pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to zoning, nuisance

abatement, property maintenance, health and safety, and related areas.

·         Procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations including methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations.

·         City services and organizational structure as they relate to code compliance. Legal actions applicable to code enforcement compliance.

·         Effective public relations practices.

·         Principles and procedures of record keeping.

·         Methods and techniques of business correspondence and technical report preparation.

·         Modern office procedures, methods, and  equipment  including  computers  and  supporting  word processing and spreadsheet applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and IWorks database.

·         Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

·         Geographic features and locations within the area served.

·         Considerable knowledge of laws, ordinances and codes and the ability to comprehend and interpret these documents for daily enforcement with the public.

 

ABILITY TO: 

·         Independently perform a full range of municipal code enforcement and compliance duties.

·         Interpret and apply applicable  codes,  ordinances,  and  regulations  related  to  zoning,  nuisance abatement, and health and safety issues.

·         Inspect and identify violations of applicable codes and ordinances and perform site inspections and investigations.

·         Enforce pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations with impartiality and efficiency.

·         Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and firm manner.

·         Investigate complaints and mediate resolutions in a timely and tactful manner.

·         Prepare accurate and detailed documentation of investigation findings and technical reports. Maintain complex logs, records, and files, make presentations, and testify in court.

·         Work independently in the absence of supervision.

·         Read County Assessors maps and property profiles.

·         Read and interpret legal documents and descriptions.

·         Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

·         Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

·         Ability to understand, interpret, enforce and communicate policies, City Code of Ordinances, procedures and protocols.

·         Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

·         Ability to perform a multitude of movements requiring moderate physical efforts; occasionally works in an environment that is not controlled.

·         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

·         Other related work duties, as assigned

 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:  The Part-Time Code Enforcement Officer reports to the office of the City Manager.  Work is spot-checked and reviewed for accuracy, nature, and propriety of results.

                       

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include the City Land Use Plan, Code of Ordinances, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, zoning decisions, and applicable state laws

 

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of related municipal code compliance and code enforcement duties. The varied nature of calls, inspecting unsafe and dilapidated buildings, as well as the potential for emergencies contribute to the complexity of the work.

 

SCOPE AND EFFECT:  The purpose of this position is to ensure compliance with city quality of life codes such as zoning and land use and licensing and to perform work dealing with the inspection of residential and commercial occupancy structures and the enforcement of City codes and State laws.  Work varies requiring individual judgment and discretion within prescribed standards and procedures. Must work closely with all departments as well as various city, state, and county agencies and the public as needed for compliance and enforcement issues in the normal conduct of business.  

 

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, homeowners, business owners, and the public.

 

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, settle matters, and interview persons.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Work is typically performed with the employee sitting, standing, bending, walking, crouching, crawling, or kneeling.  The employee must occasionally lift light objects, climb ladders, and use tools that require a moderate degree of dexterity.  

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The employee generally works in an outdoor environment and

may be exposed to hot, cold, or inclement weather, life-threatening situations, rough terrain, dust, dirt, noise, and machinery with moving parts.  Some work is performed in an office with appearances in a courtroom. The work is performed indoors, in a vehicle, and outdoors. The work requires the use of protective clothing and devices.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 §  Completion of a standard high school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a regionally or nationally accredited school. Associate degree in criminal justice, engineering, or related field preferred, not required.

§  Two to three (2-3) years’ work experience involving public contact including some experience dealing with the public in inspection, compliance, investigation, or regulatory enforcement. Code enforcement experience is highly desirable.

·         Valid Georgia Driver’s License.

§  Must be able to read, write, and speak English. Bilingual capability in Spanish is desirable but not required. Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, in person, by telephone, and in writing.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Please complete a City of Madison Application for Employment and email it to Human Resources to be considered for the position. A resume and cover letter may be attached as additional information only. 

All applicants are subject to criminal background check as well as pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing. City of Madison employees enjoy a benefits package including fully paid employee health, dental, and vision insurance and retirement.

The City of Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.