Code Enforcement Officer - Planning, Zoning, Environmental

City of Fairhope; Alabama; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fairhope, Planning Department, is seeking a Code Enforcement professional to ensure compliance with housing, zoning, landscaping, and related ordinances. The role entails investigating violations, issuing notices, and coordinating with Public Works and Police to maintain community standards.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma or GED (associates preferred), 3+ years in related fields, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate degree in public administration, business, construction, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in construction, city planning, public works, or related field; code enforcement experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable; ability to work non-standard hours and travel overnight.

Responsibilities

• Enforce City codes and ordinances; investigate violations and issue legal notices.
• Respond to complaints; drive throughout the City to identify violations.
• Notify businesses of code violations; follow up and enforce permits for banners and land use.
• Maintain records; assist Planning Commission; prepare ordinance amendments.
• Coordinate with Police and Public Works as needed; issue citations and notices.

Skills

Overnight travel

Customer service

Non-standard hours

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Description

Planning Department
Under the supervision of the Director of Planning, the employee performs administrative work functions associated with the enforcement of City ordinances, including landscaping, signs, weeds, litter, land use, garbage, parking by ensuring the buildings and land in a municipality are in accordance with housing and zoning ordinances. The employee identifies ordinance violations, investigates violations, provides legal notices, and documents all violations. The employee assists in the maintenance and cleanliness of the City by observing public locations, informing the appropriate resources, and engaging services. Customer service is performed through communicating with the general public, addressing calls and questions, and solving problems. This employee is given some latitude to make decisions, interpret codes and ordinances, and uses initiative in carrying out assignments. Work is usually performed in accordance with well-defined procedures. This job is considered safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment background check and random drug screens.

Essential Functions

Planning Department
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following list was developed through a job analysis; however, it is not exhaustive and other duties may be required and assigned. A person with a disability which is covered by the ADA must be able to perform the essential functions of the job unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Code Enforcement. Identifies and investigates City codes and ordinances to ensure codes are enforced, document violations, and provide legal notices.

1. Enforces City codes as identified through approved ordinances.
2. Receives and responds to complaints and reports of problems.
3. Drives throughout the City to identify ordinance violations.
4. Investigates code violations such as over-grown weeds and yards, unkempt properties, trash, junk cars and vehicles, and illegal dumping.
5. Assists the Revenue Department with business license enforcement.
6. Notifies City businesses of code violations, performs follow up on code violations.
7. Issues permits for advertising banners within the City for special events and businesses Investigates land use complaints and violations.
8. Contacts owners and residents of properties.
9. Issues legal notices and citations of violations to owners and residents.
10. Involves and consults with the Police Department as required.
11. Maintains all records and reports in the Code Enforcement Office both manually and electronically.
12. Documents all official actions and determinations.
13. Provides administrative support to Planning Commission.
14. Assists in the preparation of ordinance amendments or changes.
15. Picks up illegal signs and returns them to the City Public Works Building.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: City Beautification. Assists in the maintenance of a clean City by making observations, informing the appropriate parties, and enlisting services to ensure prompt actions are taken.

1. Observes public locations throughout the City for cleanliness and compliance with codes and ordinances.
2. Informs appropriate resources to take corrective actions if the owners/residents do not comply as a result of discussions and legal notices.
3. Consults with the Public Works Department to remedy problem areas.
4. Engages services of the City or designated companies to deal with weed abatement, towing of junk vehicles, and clearing of dumps, along with other violations of codes or ordinances.
5. Ensures property owners or residents are submitted with an invoice to pay for the services necessary to remedy the violation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Communications. Actively represents the City performing customer service to include addressing phone calls, composing letters, attending meetings, and solving problems.

1. Provides education and information to the City community concerning code and ordinance requirements, meets with citizens, businesses, and other organizations for instructions on code compliance.
2. Responds to City citizen complaints regarding code violations; exercises appropriate judgement in prioritizing calls; investigates and resolves problems, provides information to public by phone and in person regarding code regulations.
3. Represents the City and department in a positive and professional manner.
4. Receives phone calls and complaints regarding violations.
5. Composes letters and correspondence.
6. Provides preventive measures through informing and educating the public.
7. Discusses code violations with offenders.
8. Presents information at City Council, and other, meetings as requested.
9. Meets with community groups regarding code enforcement matters.
10. Maintains communication with supervisor regarding problem situations.
11. Attends meetings and training programs.
12. Maintains knowledge of current codes and ordinances.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

1. Responds to calls during hurricanes, inclement weather, or other emergency situations.
2. Performs other job-related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a high school diploma or GED; an associate degree in public administration, business, construction, or a related field, from an accredited college, is preferred.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in construction, city planning, public works, or related field; previous work experience in code enforcement or similar skill set and working with the public is preferred;or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above listed knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with the requirements of this job.
3. Possess a current and valid driver’s license; must be insurable.
4. Ability to work non-standard hours.
5. Ability to travel overnight to attend meetings and training programs.
6. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and an initial drug screen.
7. For position in Treasury Department, may be required to obtain within 2 years of employment and maintain Alabama Municipal Revenue Officer's Association Certification.

Supplemental Information

Planning Department
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(* Can be acquired on the job)

1. *Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
2. *Knowledge of City property locations.
3. *Knowledge of City, state, and federal codes and ordinances.
4. Knowledge of procedures and processes associated with code enforcement.
5. Knowledge of safety rules including accident causation and prevention.
6. Communication skills to effectively communicate internally and externally, both orally and in writing.
7. Verbal skills to communicate effectively with officials, supervisors, co-workers, and public.
8. Reading skills to comprehend and understand highly technical manuals, directives, procedures, and instructions.
9. Writing skills to take field notes; write reports, correspondence and recommendations using correct English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
10. Math skills to perform basic calculations (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
11. Skills in using special equipment and devices such as measuring devices.
12. Skills in organizing, prioritizing, and sequencing projects and tasks.
13. Ability to effectively use computers, office productivity software, and other standard office equipment.
14. Ability to interact with anxious and angry individuals in a calm, professional manner and to maintain composure.
15. Ability to explain codes and ordinances in a clear and logical manner.
16. Ability to evaluate situations and solve problems.
17. Ability to communicate effectively.
18. Ability to prepare plans, studies, reports and correspondences.
19. Ability to write tickets to offending parties.
20. Ability to read and interpret zoning maps, aerial photographs, site plans and subdivision plans.
21. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
22. Ability to attain and maintain continuing education requirements, and certifications as appropriate and designated by the director.
23. Ability to work outside, standing and walking for extended periods, and on a variety of surfaces.
24. Ability to drive.

Physical Demands

The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting moderately heavy items such as record boxes. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., working at great heights under extreme weather conditions, or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled.

____________________________________________

Treasury Department

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(* Can be acquired on the job)

1. *Knowledge of City and department SOPs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
2. *Knowledge of the City, its buildings, and road system and police jurisdiction.
3. *Knowledge of City, state, and federal law and court procedures.
4. *Knowledge of all forms and other paperwork required for job.
5. Communication skills to effectively communicate internally and externally, both orally and in writing.
6. Verbal skills to communicate information to co-workers, supervisors, general public, and court personnel.
7. Reading skills to read and understand department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
8. Writing skills to prepare plans, procedures, reports, compose letters and documents, using correct English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
9. Math skills to perform basic calculations (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
10. Ability to drive and maintain driving skills to operate department vehicle safely and effectively.
11. Ability to use a computer for data entry, word processing, reports, and investigative strategies.
12. Ability to deal firmly and tactfully with the public.
13. Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
14. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper courses of action to be taken.
15. Ability to work independently without close supervision.
16. Ability to multi-task.
17. Ability to organize files and work assignments.
18. Ability to speak clearly and factually in court and other situations.
19. Ability to work outdoors under adverse conditions.

Physical Demands

The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting of light and heavy objects but is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending or crouching.

Work Environment

The work environment is typically performed in an office, vehicle, or outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, and extreme weather conditions.