Code Assistance Officer

Construction Association of Michigan; Oak Park (MI); On-site; USD 34,044 - 39,439; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oak Park is seeking a Code Assistance Officer in the Technical & Planning division. This role enforces city codes, investigates ordinance violations, inspects rental homes to ensure compliance with City Ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code, and supports clerical tasks such as answering phones and issuing permits.

Reporting to the Building Division Supervisor, the officer prepares reports, testifies in court, and coordinates with property owners; requires high

Qualifications

• Degree or training equivalent sufficient for maintaining records and reports for court use.
• Experience in rental inspection, code compliance and enforcement.
• Knowledge of International Property Maintenance Code.
• Knowledge of ordinances on signs, litter, blight and zoning.
• Geographic familiarity with the city.
• Ability to assemble data and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and staff.
• Proficiency in BS&A software, Word and Excel; navigate internet resources.

Responsibilities

• Investigates complaints of alleged violations of codes and ordinances (litter, blight, signs, zoning, etc.).
• Issues violations and corrective actions as appropriate.
• Performs rental inspections to ensure compliance with ordinances and IPMC.
• Circulates through the city to check code violations and parking issues.
• Checks business licenses for possible ordinance violations and takes action.
• Arranges corrective actions (grass cutting, pest control) when owners are unreachable.
• Investigates possible zoning violations and determines action.
• Prepares written reports and documents evidence for court actions.
• Notifies adjunct property owners of Board of Appeals; testifies in court when needed.
• Reviews site plans and conducts field checks for construction permits and occupancy.

Skills

Rental inspection experience

Code enforcement knowledge

Public communication skills

Preparation of reports

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

BS&A software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Internet navigation skills

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.
• Perform 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. 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 house 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.
• Provide clerical support as needed by answering phones and issuing permits.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITES

• 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 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.

NOTE - This job description is intended to indicate the general nature of responsibilities typically assigned to the job. The description is not necessarily exhaustive or intended to limit the supervisor's right to modify assignments as necessary.

SALARY RANGE - This is a full-time position in a unionized environment with an hourly rate of $24.7131- $28.6290 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.

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.