Code Assistance Officer

Oak Park; Oak Park (MI); On-site; USD 29,533 - 35,234; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oak Park is seeking a Code Assistance Officer to enforce local codes and investigate ordinance violations. This role includes inspecting rental properties to ensure compliance and providing clerical support as needed.

Applicants should have a high school diploma, experience in rental inspections, and knowledge of relevant codes. The position offers an hourly rate of $21.44 to $25.58, with responsibilities including public interaction and report preparation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; training sufficient for maintaining records.
• Experience in rental inspection, code compliance, and enforcement.
• Knowledge of International Property Maintenance Code and relevant ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Investigates citizen complaints of alleged ordinance violations.
• Performs rental inspections for compliance with city ordinances.
• Prepares written reports documenting evidence and actions.

Skills

Record keeping

Code compliance and enforcement

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

BS&A software

Job description

JOB TITLE

Code Assistance Officer

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION

Technical & Planning

SUMMARY OF FUNCTION

Enforces City codes and investigates alleged ordinance violations. Inspects rental homes and apartments to ensure compliance with City Ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code. Provides clerical support answering phones and issuing permits as needed. Duties include investigating, preparing and maintaining correspondence and reports associated with the above. Has responsibility of issuing citations when appropriate and represent the City to provide documentation and evidence regarding the citation in court.

REPORTS TO

Building Division Supervisor but may receive direction from a Code Inspector.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

• Investigates all complaints by citizens of alleged violations of codes and ordinances concerning litter, blight, signs, zoning, grass and noxious weeds, fences, hedges, refuse, snow removal, garage sales, swimming pools, and parking areas.
• Takes necessary steps to correct problems, including issuing violations where appropriate.
• Performs rental inspections to ensure compliance with City Ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code.
• Regularly circulates through the city to check for violations of codes and ordinances concerning all code issues as well as the parking of commercial and recreational equipment in residential districts.
• Checks business licenses for possible ordinance violations and takes appropriate actions.
• Makes appropriate corrective arrangements (e.g., for grass cutting or rat extermination) where violations exist on private property and the owner cannot be contacted or compliance has not been obtained.
• Investigates possible zoning violations (e.g., by watching houses to observe type of activity) to determine whether action should be taken.
• Prepares written reports for each of the above activities, properly documents all evidence and actions in a manner appropriate for use in court actions.
• Notifies adjunct property owners of the Board of Appeals.
• Testifies in court when necessary.
• Checks site plans and conducts field checks for new construction and Board of Zoning Appeals applications, and resale and occupancy permits.
• Provides clerical support as needed by answering phones and issuing permits.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Degree from an accredited high school, or training equivalent sufficient for maintaining records and reports at level necessary for use in court.
• Experience in rental inspection, code compliance and enforcement.
• Knowledge of the International Property Maintenance Code.
• Knowledge of ordinances pertaining to signs, litter, blight and zoning.
• Reasonable knowledge of the geography of the city.
• Ability to assemble data and to prepare and maintain correspondence, records, and reports.
• Ability to communicate with and work effectively with the public and other employees.
• Knowledge in BS&A software, Microsoft Word and Excel and the ability to navigate through internet resources.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working in areas under construction.
• Field conditions which consist of unpaved sites, muddy, dusty areas and a potential dangerous environment.
• Works in office environment and in field environment; field activities require inspections of occupied homes and properties, junk or abandoned vehicles, search of tool sheds, piles of lumber or wood, shrubbery etc. for evidence of rodents or other code violations.

SALARY RANGE

This is a full-time position in a unionized environment with an hourly rate of $21.4383- $25.5765 per hour.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR DISCLAIMERS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of an employee so classified.

EEO STATEMENT

Be physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The City of Oak Park does not discriminate in its employment or any other programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, economic status, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability, if requested. Notification of the need for accommodation must be made at the time of application.