Neighborhood Improvement Officer (Code Enforcement)

Department: Community Development

Reports To: Chief Building Official

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, enforces property maintenance, nuisance, and zoning codes for the City; assists with evictions, foreclosures, and posting of properties deemed unsafe or uninhabitable; assists with conducting inspections of residential and commercial properties; research state statutes and city codes; assists department with research related to city codes; and issues summons and appears in court for those who do not comply with written notices. The Neighborhood Improvement Officer, also known as ‘Code Enforcement,’ is responsible for enforcing property maintenance, nuisance, and zoning codes. This position conducts inspections of properties for code compliance and documents and prepares notices of violation to gain compliance through the code enforcement process.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the individual in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.  Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties as assigned.

• Conducts field work and inspections of properties related to property maintenance, nuisance, and zoning codes; documents violations, if found; and prepares violation notices.


• Conducts follow-up inspections and prepares all documents required by code and law to achieve compliance, including issuing tickets, notices of abatement, and summons to appear in court.


• Responds to call outs, including during non-standard working hours, from other departments including engineering, police, animal control and public works; conducts inspection of property and may post a property as unfit for human habitation.


• Researches, prepares, and submits routine, recurring and special reports to management including reports; and may make presentation to city boards and commissions, including City Council, as requested.


• Researches city codes and state statutes; and responds to foreclosures and evictions with the County Sheriff’s office.


• Responds to questions from the public, property owners, and other parties/agencies by explaining the applicability of codes, ordinances, city and state statutes and related regulations and industry standards, the codes enforcement processes, and case-specific information while maintaining required security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the course of assigned duties.


• Creates and maintains files and related records to assure proper retention and archiving of all code cases.


• Supports the relationship between the City of Belton and the constituent population by providing excellent customer service; promotes the City goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records and City information; and performs related duties as required or assigned.


• Ensures that job duties are completed in strict adherence to established safe work practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Standards and procedures for examination and evaluation for compliance with required codes, ordinances, and industry standards.


• City/departmental standards for the creation and maintenance of records, including automated records and databases.


• Procedural and legal processes involved in the documentation and resolution of code violations.


• Federal, state, and local laws applicable to building, property maintenance, nuisance, and zoning codes.


• Effective communication principles and practices to include public relations.


• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.


• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.


• Principles of business letter writing.


• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.


• Receiving and reviewing reports or allegations of code violations to determine administrative actions required.


• Preparing and maintaining case files and records for code violations in both manual and computer-based systems.


• Scheduling worksite inspections and technical plans reviews in response to code violations or allegations.


• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing sufficient to explain the codes enforcement processes and requirements to interested and affected parties.


• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them.


• Conducting code interpretation, building inspections, and code enforcement.


• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a valid State Driver’s License.


• Completion of Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification or ability to complete within one (1) year of hire.

Physical Requirements: 

• Work is performed in a standard office environment; regular travel to various inspection sites and occasionally may be exposed to potential physical harm, hazardous chemicals and infectious disease when conducting on-site inspections.