CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

City of Columbia; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Columbia is seeking a dedicated inspector to enforce housing, property maintenance and environmental codes, ensuring safe living environments for residents. The role involves field inspections, public health investigations, and collaborations with community leaders.

Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential to guide owners and contractors. Responsibilities include reporting, testifying in court when required, and training fellow inspectors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Four years of relevant prior experience.
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
• ICC Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification within one year; Residential Inspector preferred.
• Must have skill in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to deal with irate citizens and handle multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Inspect residential, commercial and other properties for code compliance.
• Investigate public health complaints and discuss concerns with community leaders.
• Schedule and inspect housing and lots for compliance with codes.
• Prepare inspection reports and recommend corrective actions; issue summons if needed.
• Explain codes to owners and contractors; testify in court if necessary.
• Provide training to other inspectors and participate in team efforts.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This position enforces and inspects for the City’s quality of life ordinances to ensure safe and healthy living environments for City residents, and to perform related work as assigned. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered light and involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens; and spends most of the time physically threatening environment that requires life and death decisions for one’s self and others.

• Inspects residential, commercial and other properties for compliance with the City, state and federal housing, property maintenance and environmental codes and regulations;
• Investigates public health complaints; meets with neighborhood and community leaders to discuss code enforcement and public health concerns;
• Schedules and inspects single- and multi-family housing for compliance with the City’s property maintenance codes;
• Schedules and inspects vacant lots and City right of way for compliance with applicable City codes;
• Investigates property maintenance violations on occupied and unoccupied properties;
• Inspects existing structures for compliance with life safety, mechanical, electrical and plumbing codes;
• Inspects fire-damaged buildings;
• Inspects buildings for lead-based paint, asbestos and other hazardous materials;
• Investigates and records noise pollution;
• Prepares inspection reports; determines steps to be taken to bring buildings to code; initiates emergency vacate orders as appropriate;
• Explains, interprets and provides guidance regarding applicable codes and compliance requirements to property owners, residents, contractors and others;
• Follows up on each case to verify corrections have been made to comply with codes; issues uniform ordinance summonses and prepares cases for prosecution in the event of non-compliance; testifies in court as necessary;
• Participates in community services team efforts;
• Maintains a variety of logs and records related to inspection and enforcement activities;
• Maintains assigned vehicles and equipment;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, attending meetings, etc.;
• Provides training of other inspectors as assigned;
• Attends training, conferences, meetings, etc., to enhance job knowledge and skills and maintain certifications; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;
• Four (4) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Have or be able to obtain the Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification administered by the International Codes Council (ICC) within one (1) year from the date of hire or promotion;
• Preference given for Residential Inspector certification administered by the International Codes Council (ICC).

• Must have skill in the use of Microsoft Office;
• Must be able to effectively deal with irate citizens;

• May be required to work additional hours as needed.

• Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences and areas;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.