Code Enforcement Officer

City-of-Deer-Park; Deer Park (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Deer Park seeks a Code Enforcement Officer to enforce municipal codes and investigate zoning and environmental health concerns. You will inspect properties, issue notices of violation, and document activities while working with residents and businesses to achieve compliance.

The role requires standing up to complaints, maintaining detailed records, and coordinating with the Public Works and Planning departments.

Qualifications

• Customer service and strong written and verbal communication skills to work with the public, employees, supervisor and other entities.
• Knowledgeable of applicable local, state and federal codes and ordinances.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, regulations and ordinances.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from City Staff, residents, and City Council.
• Independently able to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Able to resolve concerns and conflicts effectively and efficiently.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must obtain Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license as Code Enforcement Officer Level 1 within 6 months of hire.
• Minimum of high school diploma, GED, and/or five years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct onsite investigations of code and ordinance concerns and respond to issues such as sewage, trash, junk vehicles, pools, high grass and signs.
• Inspect single-family homes, apartment buildings, businesses, vacant lots and other properties for zoning and environmental health compliance and issue notices of violation as required.
• Interview complainants and witnesses, take photographs, document activities and update records; meet with residents and businesses to explain required actions.
• Meet directly with Deer Park residents and property owners regarding code concerns.
• Maintain accurate records using a mobile device and complete reports.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Report writing

Oral presentations

Analytical thinking

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Texas Code Enforcement Officer Level 1 license

Tools

MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Permit/tracking software

Job description

Performs inspections and responds to complaints regarding violations and non-compliance with City of Deer Park – Municipal Code of Ordinances.

Performs investigations and enforces the municipal building and zoning codes; including but not limited to the minimum housing standards, environmental health, and zoning ordinances.

Performs research to determine the approved conditional uses of property; researches ownership and takes action to enforce city codes

Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other departments and the public; ability to follow written and oral instructions; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Exercises independent judgment for matters related to position. Ability to facilitate voluntary compliances and reasonably resolve non-compliances.

Positive attitude to assist City, residents, business and general public to resolve issues and obtain compliance for the safety, welfare and well-being of all.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Chief Building Official.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

1. Conduct onsite investigations of code and ordinance concerns. Respond to concerns including, but not limited to sewage, trash, junk vehicles, swimming pools, high grass and signs by inspecting properties.
2. Inspects single‑family homes, apartment buildings, businesses, vacant lots and other properties; ensures compliance with applicable zoning and environmental health codes, ordinances and regulations. Determines whether property is in compliance and issues notices of violation as required. Documents all actions and notices; perform follow‑up inspections to ensure compliance.
3. Responds to alleged violations, interviews complainant and witnesses, takes photographs of violations, document activities and update records. Meets with residents and businesses concerning City ordinances and codes; explains actions required to comply with ordinances. Provides and maintains a positive customer service relationship at all times.
4. Meet directly with Deer Park residents and property owners regarding code and ordinance concerns.
5. Maintain accurate records of activities using iPad or other equivalent device to complete reports and maintain records.
6. Receive resident/business concerns and responds with appropriate response mechanism (lien, communication, cooperation, court, citation, etc.)
7. Must be able and available to work during emergency events such as hurricanes, chemical spills and on‑call duties as needed by Public Works Department.
8. Performs technical tasks relative to the backflow program and maintains compliance records for required back flow preventer testing on all commercial buildings.
9. Performs tasks, and assistance to City Engineer and other staff, related to spills, illicit discharges, ordinance violations and other storm water and sanitary sewer compliance activities.
10. Assists Code Enforcement, Planning and Development, Public Works, Deer Park Police Department and Courts regarding code and ordinance concerns.
11. Maintains files for issuing liens against non‑compliant properties.
12. Oversees the City of Deer Park backflow prevention program and associated inspections to ensure compliance.
13. Maintains records and reports of inspections and surveillance activities; prepares reports as required.
14. Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
15. Assists in preparing case reports for court or administrative proceedings; testifies in court and at administrative proceedings as necessary. Issue citations, file affidavits of intent to prosecute and testify in court for non‑compliance matters.
16. Employee may perform any implied task from the listed duties or other duties as required by Public Works Department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Customer service and strong written and verbal communication skills to work with the public, employees, supervisor and other entities.
2. Knowledgeable of applicable local, state and federal codes and ordinances.
3. Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, regulations and ordinances.
4. Ability to write reports correspondence.
5. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the City Staff, residents, and City Council.
6. Independently able to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Able to resolve concerns and conflicts effectively and efficiently.
7. Valid Texas Driver’s License and ability to operate motor vehicle.
8. Must obtain Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license as Code Enforcement Officer Level 1 within 6-months of hire.
9. Minimum of high school diploma, GED, and/or five (5) years of related experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree from accredited university program or ten (10) years of experience in Code Enforcement.
2. Code Enforcement Officer Level 2 license or the ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
3. Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester license or the ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
4. Ability to create easy to read and concise briefing reports with photos, tables, aerial images, maps, exhibits and other visual data / analytics for City Administration and other presentations.
5. Experience in research methods for ordinances, documents, survey/plat information, easements, right of way, property legal descriptions, GIS and other property data. 6. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area circumference and volume.
6. Experience in Substandard housing and understands the due process for court hearings and council hearings

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computer, software (permit and tracking software, MS Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point), phone, text, email, city vehicle and other related tools.

Must have knowledge of use of computers, online maps, email, scanner, cell phone, digital photographs and digital file storage and saving techniques.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quite in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education, resume, experience, oral interview, and background and reference checks.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.