Code Enforcement Officer

City of O'Fallon; O'Fallon (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of O'Fallon is looking for a Code Enforcement Officer to enforce city ordinances and property maintenance codes. Responsibilities include inspecting properties for violations, investigating citizen complaints, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

This role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of municipal codes, and the ability to work both in an office and field environment.

Applicants should have an associates degree and relevant experience in the construction or inspection fields. Certification in property maintenance is required within one year after hiring.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of work experience in construction, home inspection, fire service, or law enforcement.
• ICC Property Maintenance Certification required within one year of hiring.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and respond to citizen complaints about code violations.
• Inspect properties and determine corrective actions.
• Coordinate with agencies on nuisance investigations.
• Conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance.

Skills

Knowledge of basic principles and procedures of record keeping

Effective oral and written communication

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite

Negotiation and conflict resolution techniques

Education

Associates degree or equivalent in property maintenance and inspection

Job description

Code Enforcement Officers enforce city ordinance and property maintenance code violations for the Community Development Department in a technical and administrative manner. Officers are responsible for investigating nuisance complaints such as tall grass, derelict vehicles, rubbish and garbage complaints, etc. Duties also include following up on citizen requests, assisting in establishing code enforcement compliance plans for active cases and providing pro‑active code enforcement. Additional duties include (but are not limited to): performing property maintenance occupancy inspections on primarily residential properties, and documenting inspection results. Assisting other inspectors and code enforcement officers as needed on higher level cases.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Investigates citizen complaints concerning municipal building code violations, nuisance violations, property maintenance, zoning regulations, and fire safety issues.
• Inspects properties for violations to determine if complaint is valid and determines if any corrective action is required.
• Prepare abatement cases; prepare notices and required correspondence and documents.
• Ensure code enforcement actions are logged and records are kept in compliance with department regulations.
• Respond in writing, by phone, and in person with residents, businesses and others regarding complaints and follow‑up activities taken to resolve issues.
• Assists property owners in achieving voluntary compliance by recommending corrective actions.
• Conducts follow‑up inspections to determine if corrective action has been taken and is compliant with municipal building codes and ordinances. When corrective action has not occurred, initiates court action.
• May appear in court, as needed, on enforcement actions and may also work with the City Attorney on enforcement issues.
• Confer and coordinate with other agencies and departments, including Public Works, Fire, and Police, on the investigation and disposition of nuisance, zoning, pest infestation, noise, smoke, vehicle, litter and related violations.
• Conducts on‑site occupancy inspections of single and multi‑family residential properties for occupancy permits to ensure compliance with adopted International Code Council (ICC) Building Code, ICC Residential Code, ICC Property Maintenance Code and other related City Codes.
• Documents each inspection according to the inspection checklist and uses computer program to input code violations in a written report.
• Maintain files and records related to citations and violations; prepare a variety of written reports, memoranda and correspondence.
• Input and retrieve a variety of information using a computer terminal, tablet or other electronic device.
• Coordinate with other public and private agencies to abate public nuisances.
• As assigned, assists in the inspections for other inspectors in different discipline areas (electrical and building & zoning) when the inspectors are unable to personally conduct the inspection.
• Performs various other duties and functions as required or assigned within area of expertise or scope of the position.
• Will need to traverse uneven terrain and be exposed to all types of weather elements in carrying out enforcement duties.

Job Related Essential Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic principles and procedures of record keeping
• Modern office procedures and methods including computers
• Effective oral and written communication methods
• Proficient computer skills and Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Ability to interpret a variety of codes, laws, ordinances, regulations and other information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Correctly prioritize cases and exercise sound judgment.

Supervision Received

This position works under the general supervision of the Code Official.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Working Conditions

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to work in a standard office environment as well as out in the field in an inspection site environment. Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, and stooping for prolonged periods of time. (1) Mobility: requires the ability to exert a minimal amount of physical effort in order to lift, carry and move files, documents and other items in an office environment and exert/perform moderate to strenuous levels of physical effort for extended periods of time in an inspection site environment; frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. (2) Lifting: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds on occasion. (3) Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close‑up work; occasional color and depth perception. (4) Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. (5) Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking; in person and on the phone or radio. (6) Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision‑making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; frequent working alone. (7) Environmental: frequent exposure to noise and dust; occasional exposure to fumes, chemicals and heavy equipment; work at heights; inspecting in confined areas; field work performed in various weather conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Associates degree or equivalent (trade school) with training in property maintenance and inspection; and:
• At least two‑to‑three years of related work experience in the construction industry, home inspection industry, fire service, or law enforcement
• Other equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• ICC Property Maintenance Certification is required within one (1) year of hiring.