Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

The purpose of this position is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents, workers, and visitors to Carrollton, and to enhance the quality of life in the city. This is accomplished by conducting systematic inspections of properties in the city and enforcement of regulatory standards including, but not limited to, municipal, land development, property maintenance, zoning, solid waste disposal, residential and commercial building standards, and business regulation codes and ordinances. Enforcement of the aforementioned codes is accomplished by issuing notices and citations, responding to citizen complaints, answering questions and inquiries regarding city codes and ordinances.

Essential job functions include:

• Conducts and performs specialized, technical, and complex inspections of single-family properties, multi-family properties, commercial and retail properties to ensure compliance with all required codes and regulations.
• Performs pro-active and reactive inspections based on public or staff complaints.
• Assess inspection results to determine compliance or a correct path for compliance by abatement of the violation.
• Conduct research in an effort to facilitate enforcement operations, which includes locating property and vehicle owner information, applicable permits, and parcel information; gathering and recording accurate information for prosecution in court cases or presentations to the appropriate city board or commission.
• Perform administrative duties generating documentation in the form of letters, notices, citations, emails, lines, and administrative search warrants.
• Provide and effectively maintain accurate documentation and records for code enforcement cases, which includes photographs, emails, notices, letters, and steps or actions taken to abate a violation.
• Prioritizes, schedules, and performs timely inspections and follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with applicable codes.
• Increases compliance with city codes by communicating effectively and courteously while researching and responding to customer complaints and questions in person, writing, and by telephone.
• Coordinate and facilitate contractor abatements of code violations.
• Periodic physical activity in pick up and removal of trash, debris, signs, and other items which are creating a hazard to the public.
• Maintains successful working relationships and coordinates duties and projects with other City departments and outside agencies involved in code enforcement activities.
• Participates in and prepares presentations for community education programs designed to inform citizens of city regulations pertaining to property codes, rental housing issues, dangerous and substandard structures.
• Testifying in municipal court or before public boards/commissions.
• Be available for rotating 24/7 on-call shift for a period of one week responding to code violations after normal work hours and on weekends and holidays.
• May assist in reviewing current codes and participates in proposing and implementing changes to codes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Knowledge of code enforcement principles, practices, and methodologies as applicable to local government; working knowledge of applicable laws, standards and regulations relating to various land use, nuisance, and public safety codes.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, code, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to code enforcement work and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and record management techniques.
• Knowledge of legal proceedings involved in code enforcement.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of interviewing and conducting investigations.
• Skilled to demonstrate accountability in completing tasks, projects, or other work assignments on time and in accordance with performance expectations.
• Skilled in demonstrating a high level of time management, following instructions, and accepting constructive feedback.
• Skilled to contribute to a work atmosphere of trust and teamwork while avoiding actions that negatively impact the staff, department, and the city.
• Skilled in mediating and diffusing hostile situations.
• Skilled in exercising judgment and discretion.
• Skilled in operating a computer and related software applications.
• Skilled in preparing clear and concise reports.
• Skilled in researching and analyzing information and making recommendations based on findings and in support of organizational goals.
• Skilled in reading, interpreting, and explaining applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skilled in providing customer service.
• Skilled in communicating and speaking effectively in public.
• Skilled in prioritizing, organizing, and managing multiple simultaneous projects.
• Ability to manage an appropriate case load with limited supervision.
• Ability to learn and retain relevant knowledge and skills to competently complete work responsibilities.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently.
• Ability to understand and utilize zoning maps, land use maps, plats and other documents related to real property.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to analyze problems, make objective decisions, and execute them without prompting.
• Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, other city departments, and the public.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Minimum qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Either one year of related code enforcement/government experience or three years of customer service experience.
• Must possess a valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
• Must obtain a Code Enforcement Officer or Code Enforcement Officer in Training license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) within one year of employment.

Working conditions include:

• A combination of office and field environments exists for this position.
• Frequent driving, climbing, balancing, reaching, sitting, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, smelling, and manual dexterity.
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Work is typically performed in both standard office and outdoor environments, with potential exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Work is occasionally performed in high and precarious places and near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasional exposure to the risk of electric shock, fumes, airborne particles, infectious diseases, and criminal suspects.

Conditions of employment include:

• Must pass pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass criminal history check.
• Must pass motor vehicle records check.