Code Officer/Sr. Code Officer

About the role

The purpose of this position is to investigate, interpret, and enforce numerous commercial, residential, and miscellaneous ordinance violations for the City. Employees in this classification perform technical level work. Position is responsible for issuing notices of violation and citations for non-compliance to both commercial and residential sectors in reference to violations of local ordinances, codes, and permits. Incumbent prepares cases for judicial process and acts as a public information resource.

Responsibilities

• Enforces City ordinances and codes, including, but not limited to, property maintenance, landscaping, junked and abandoned vehicles, dangerous and substandard structures, zoning, signs, fences, residential pools and stagnant water, illegal dumping, lighting and glare violations, noise violations, parking prohibitions, garage sales, outdoor storage and displays, drought management and other public health and safety issues in both commercial and residential arenas.
• Issues municipal court citations for violations to both the public and private sector regarding city ordinances, codes, etc.
• Testifies and presents evidence at court hearings.
• Performs research and investigative work in determining extent of violation and non-compliance, and in preparing cases for judicial process, to include photography of evidence.
• Uses professional knowledge to determine substandard structure conditions for consideration of the Building and Standards Commission.
• Investigates and resolves citizen complaints received concerning suspected/potential violations.
• Initiates towing of inoperable, illegally parked, and/or abandoned vehicles on private property through judicial orders for the abatement of public nuisances.
• Prepares Investigation and Abatement warrants for judicial signatures, and executes those warrants.
• Prepares, maintains, and files reports and records regarding activities, i.e., door hangers, electronic case files, inspection reports, incident reports, notices of violation, and citations.
• Responds to citizen inquiries both orally and in writing.
• Investigates and monitors construction activities for the purpose of checking permits, issuing citations or stop work orders until structures, premises, or property are brought to code. Performs follow up to ensure compliance.
• Files, makes copies, and prepares mailing of notifications and citations.
• Complies with all written City policies and procedures.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.

Senior Responsibilities

• Assists the Code Enforcement Supervisor in prioritizing case assignments and is responsible for entering, routing, and assignment of cases to assigned staff within the Code Enforcement division.
• Performs public speaking presentations to various boards, commissions, homeowners associations, civic groups, and other similar entities.
• Serves as a mentor for Code Enforcement Officers by assisting in their training and development and for assisting with more complicated code enforcement matters.
• Shares Code Enforcement expertise to assist in the betterment of other employees and the organization.
• Assists in establishing standard operating procedures, setting priorities, and expediting the resolution of issues.
• Conducts research on varied topics and issues and may create reports and/or other analytical or statistical information.
• Assists in coordinating joint abatement and investigation activities with other City departments and agencies.
• Serves as backup for the Code Enforcement Supervisor in limited situations.
• Responds to and resolves sensitive and/or controversial inquiries and complaints.
• Serves as the Officer in Charge when the Code Compliance Manager is not available.
• May be periodically required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• May be required to travel to meetings.

Requirements

Code Compliance Officer

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License required.
• Ability to obtain State of Texas Code Enforcement certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Ability to perform data entry and possess effective written and oral communication skills.

Code Compliance Officer, Senior

• Three (3) years of progressive Code Enforcement experience.
• Ability to obtain State of Texas Code Enforcement certification and ICC IPMC (International and Property Maintenance Code) certification within one (1) year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current State of Texas Code Enforcement Officer Certification.
• ICC (International Code Council) IPMC (International and Property Maintenance Code) Certification.
• Ability to speak and write Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Ability to analyze and recognize potentially hazardous and hostile situations and apply the correct skills necessary to deescalate those situations.
• Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data and/or information, including exercising discretion in determining data classification.
• Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.
• Ability to operate specific technical apparatus such as light meters and noise meters.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as city codes, state statutes, zoning maps and code enforcement books, site plan approvals, and subdivision plats.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate decimals and percentages; utilize principles of fractions; interpret graphs.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems and interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to adapt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Ability to perform coordinated movements involving placing and turning motions, such as utilizing a tape measure, measuring wheel, hammer, and operating a computer terminal and various office equipment and software programs.
• Ability to obtain necessary continuing education units necessary to retain certification.
• Ability to utilize GIS and other databases or programs to locate property, property owners, and to verify zoning.
• Ability to assist City Marshall’s with information on location of individuals with outstanding warrants.
• Ability to work in a team environment; contribute as a team member and treat co-workers, subordinates and customers with respect.
• Ability to build professional relationships with internal staff and customers.
• Ability to offer flexibility and adaptability, especially during times of change.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License.

Physical Demands

• Between one and two-thirds of on the job time: Sitting; Talking; Hearing; Lifting and/or exerting force up to one-hundred plus pounds.
• Under one-third of on the job time: Standing; Walking; Using one’s hands to touch, handle or feel objects; Reaching with hands and arms; Climbing or balancing; Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; Smelling.
• Special vision requirements include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Between one and two-thirds of on the job time: Exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Under one-third of on the job time: Exposure to non-weather extreme cold, heat, wet or humid conditions; working in high, precarious places; Exposure to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.