Code Enforcement Officer – Special Projects

Urban Development; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hattiesburg seeks a Code Enforcement Officer – Special Projects in the Urban Development Department. The role leads citywide enforcement initiatives, including short-term rental compliance and vacant property registration, coordinating with multiple city divisions to move cases to resolution.

The ideal candidate has education in criminal justice or urban planning, with experience in enforcement and data analysis, and a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• College coursework in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, urban planning, or related field is preferred.
• At least one year of work experience involving high public contact including enforcement, inspection, investigation, or customer service is required.
• Experience enforcing municipal codes or coordinating across departments is desirable.
• Ability to use maps, GIS information, and city/state laws in case work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead citywide short-term rental compliance enforcement using monitoring software.
• Oversee the VAD property registry enforcement timeline toward compliance, condemnation, or demolition.
• Support redevelopment initiatives and city-led projects.
• Identify areas of concern using data and compliance trends to shape enforcement strategy.
• Conduct investigations, inspections, issue notices and citations, and move cases toward compliance or hearings.
• Coordinate with Planning, Fire Inspection, Code, Building Inspection on zoning and development questions.
• Maintain complete case documentation and report status to the Division Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Criminal justice

Public administration

Urban planning

Data analysis

Enforcement

Inspection

Project coordination

Maps / GIS

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

ICC Property Maintenance/Housing Inspector certification (Desirable)

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Position: Code Enforcement Officer – Special Projects

Department: Urban Development

Division: Land Code

Rate of Pay: $17.00/hr.

Nature of Work:
This position is a Code Enforcement Officer assigned to special projects work within the Land Code Division. The incumbent will lead targeted, citywide implementation and compliance efforts, taking a broad, data informed view of the City’s priority policies and initiatives rather than working a routine patrol route. Work involves leading the implementation and enforcement of programs such as short-term rental compliance and vacant property registration, supporting City led redevelopment initiatives, and building an intentional enforcement strategy for areas of concern.
The incumbent answers directly to the Division Manager, Code Enforcement, and works under the direction of the Director of Urban Development, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Mayor. This position operates in a matrix model. The incumbent is expected to coordinate with, and request information and staff support from, Planning, Fire Inspection, Building Inspection, and other City divisions and departments in order to move assigned initiatives to resolution.
Work is performed under general supervision. This position requires a self-starter who can manage an assigned workload with minimal oversight, with initiative, independent judgment and discretion, while remaining an active, reliable member of the Code Enforcement team.

Examples of Work:

• Lead the implementation and enforcement efforts for, and monitor, short term rental compliance citywide, using the City’s short-term rental monitoring software to identify unregistered and non-compliant properties and carry them through to resolution.
• Lead the implementation and enforcement efforts for, and monitor, the VAD property registry, moving flagged properties through a documented enforcement timeline toward compliance, condemnation, or demolition as needed.
• Lead the implementation and enforcement efforts for, and assist with, redevelopment efforts on portions of Right Down Broadway, the Downtown Roadmap, Longleaf Village, and other City led initiatives.
• Identify target areas of concern using case data, inspection history, and compliance trends, and build an intentional code enforcement strategy.
• Take on additional special attention properties and enforcement initiatives.
• Conduct investigations and inspections, issue notices and citations, and carry each case through to compliance, Environmental Court, or public hearing before City Council, consistent with City ordinance.
• Coordinate directly with Planning, Fire Inspection, Code, Building Inspection, and others on zoning, land use, and development questions that arise in the course of an assigned case.
• Maintain complete case documentation, including photographs, GPS data, correspondence, and entries in the City’s case management software, sufficient to stand on its own in any legal or administrative proceeding.
• Report case status, outcomes, and strategy recommendations directly to the Division Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

College level coursework in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, urban planning, or a related field, or equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training, is preferred. At least one year of work experience involving a high level of public contact, including experience in enforcement, inspection, investigation, project coordination, or customer service, is required. Experience enforcing municipal codes, or working across multiple departments on shared initiatives, is highly desirable. Comfort working with data and case statistics to plan and justify a course of action is expected. Must be able to use maps, GIS information, and portions of the City Ordinance and state laws which apply to the areas of work assigned. This position is not a fit for someone who needs close supervision. It requires independent judgment on a daily basis, the ability to build working relationships across divisions, and the ability to keep the Division Manager informed. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license is required. Possession of, or ability to obtain within 2 years of employment, certification as a Property Maintenance/Housing Inspector (Code Enforcement Officer) issued by the International Code Council (ICC) is desired.