Code Compliance

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of skilled field and office work involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations relating to environmental, health, safety, and general welfare issues, as provided by State and local codes and ordinances, and to perform inspections, investigate violations, and gain compliance either voluntarily or through enforcement means.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Code Compliance Officer I position exercises no supervision over lower-level staff.

The Code Compliance Officer II/III position may exercise occasional supervision during the temporary absence of the Manager - Code Compliance and may assist with training and answering field questions.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Perform site inspections and investigations to determine if various ordinances are being violated, if a public nuisance is present, and the responsible parties involved. May include inspection of buildings for deterioration, dilapidation or unsanitary conditions.

Communicate with complaining parties, responsible parties, and affected parties on City standards, policies and options for the resolution or abatement of violations.

Perform investigative and research work to determine the legal descriptions of real property, registration or licensing of vehicles, ownership interests in property, and lien holders or other parties responsible for the status of property.

Coordinate with other City, County, State or Federal entities or utility companies in pursuit of resolving violations. Such City entities may include Water, Stormwater, Solid Waste, Health, Fire, Police, Legal, Land Agent or Finance.

Maintain appropriate records and files.

Educate individuals, entities, and groups on standards, practices, and resources for compliance with City and State codes relating to health, safety and general welfare.

Schedule inspections and meetings.

Issue notices of violation, abatement order, court summons, citation or other enforcement action as appropriate. Testify in court and to the Board of Building Standards as needed.

Meet with interested citizens and community groups to discuss issues and concerns.

Operate a City vehicle to conduct field inspections, investigate code violations, and ensure timely response to service requests throughout the community.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Official records relating to real estate, title search, tax encumbrance, filing, and releases of outstanding liens.

Local and State codes and ordinances.

Court, legal, and City policies and procedures.

Methods and procedures used in making field inspections and determining property ownership utilizing tax records, deed and Deed of Trust Records, Death Certificate, and Will Probate.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Operate office equipment including personal computers and mobile devices.

Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Write clear, legible and concise letters and reports.

Manage time effectively and make sound judgments.

Ability to:

Read and interpret City Ordinances.

Professionally and effectively communicate, orally and in writing, City codes and ordinances.

Work with individual property owners to develop voluntary compliance plans, follow through and monitor implementation.

Take photographs and obtain evidence of violations and compliance

Use persuasion skills to defuse potential conflicts with the public.

Read and interpret maps, plats, aerial photography and other similar documents.

Enforce codes with firmness, tact, impartiality, and diplomacy.

Testify in legal proceedings.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values - Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division's mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Code Compliance Officer II/III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division's mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Code Compliance Officer I

Experience:

Prior experience in code enforcement or registration as a Certified Code Enforcement Officer is preferred.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or GED is required.

A Bachelor's degree in public administration, environmental management, forensic science or a related field is preferred.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver's license, the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment; or a military waiver is required.

Ability to obtain a Texas Code Enforcement certification from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR), to include successfully passing a criminal history background check within three (3) years of employment is required.

Code Compliance Officer II

Experience:

One (1) year of full-time experience in the field of code enforcement, law enforcement, environmental health or a related field is required.

Education/Training:

Completion of Texas Basic Code Enforcement Course through Texas Engineering Extension (TEEX) is required.

License or Certificate:

Certified Code Enforcement Officer with the State of Texas is required.

Code Compliance Officer III

Experience:

Three (3) years of full-time experience in the field of code enforcement, law enforcement, environmental health or a related field is required.

A minimum of two (2) years as a Registered Code Enforcement Officer in the State of Texas is required.

Education/Training:

Completion of twelve (12) hours of continuing education within the previous 24 months, to include one (1) hour of legal or legislative updates (IAW 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 62) is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, bend, crawl, and twist.

Exposure to cold, heat, and outdoor environment.

Ability to travel to different work sites.

Ability to use basic hand tools.

With or without accommodation, the "X" indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

Sedentary - lifting of no more than 10 pounds

Light - lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

X Medium - lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

Heavy - lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

Very Heavy - team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

Y = Yes

N = No

E = Extensive (100 - 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 - 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 - 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (
Code / Task

M Standing

M Sitting

M Walking

I Lifting

I Carrying

I Pushing/Pulling

A Overhead Work

A Fine Dexterity

A Kneeling

A Crouching

A Crawling

I Bending

A Twisting

I Climbing

I Balancing

M Vision

M Hearing

M Talking

Other: