Code Enforcement Specialist (Planning - Housing Code Enforcement)

City of Albuquerque; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Albuquerque is seeking a Code Enforcement Specialist to conduct residential and commercial inspections, enforce zoning codes, and support compliance efforts. The role involves reviewing plans, issuing notifications of violations, and coordinating with property owners, developers, and City departments to resolve non-compliance issues.

The position may require court appearances and weekend or night inspections, with responsibilities including preparing reports and assisting upper

Qualifications

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of experience in property or code enforcement.
• Experience in building construction, construction management or housing inspection.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Possess and maintain ICC housing code certificate or Building Inspector certification.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and inspect reported and observed violations of residential and commercial zoning codes, or related ordinances to ensure compliance with uniform building, mechanical, electrical or sanitary codes and ordinances.
• Investigate and inspect reports of hazardous or unsanitary conditions of residential or commercial properties, weed and litter violations, and identify any methods or repairs that may be needed; confirm that modifications have been made during subsequent inspections.
• Enforce city-land use requirements, zoning codes and related ordinances through inspections, surveys and field investigations of residential and commercial properties.
• Perform building inspections for residential and commercial properties to determine compliance with building codes and regulations; assess safety for occupancy or need for condemnation.
• Review and examine plans for compliance with zoning code requirements; approve or disapprove plans and identify deficiencies.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding proposed developments and permitting requirements; provide information on enforcement policies.

Education

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

Position Summary

Perform residential and commercial property inspections, vacant lot surveys, and weed and litter inspections, to ensure compliance of the City's zoning codes, ordinances, regulations, and land-use requirements; conduct field investigations to identify corrective action steps required to achieve zoning compliance; communicate with property owners, developers and/or contractors; issue notifications regarding code violations, and provide methods to achieve compliance; may attend court related matters, and work independently with a variety of professionals within the construction industry, to enforce code requirements and resolve non-compliance issues; review, analyze and interpret construction and site plans, business applications and registrations; draft recommendations for condemnation of unsafe or hazardous dwellings; and perform a variety of administrative tasks to support upper level management.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential Functions

• Investigate and inspect reported and observed violations of residential and commercial zoning codes, or related ordinances to ensure compliance with uniform building, mechanical, electrical or sanitary codes and ordinances.
• Investigate and inspect reports of hazardous or unsanitary conditions of residential or commercial properties, weed and litter violations, and identify any methods or repairs that may be needed; confirm that sufficient modifications to lots, buildings or structures have been made during subsequent inspections.
• Enforce city-land use requirements, zoning codes and related ordinances through inspections, surveys and field investigations of residential and commercial properties, to include vacant lots, for compliance of all applicable City zoning codes and ordinances, and issue appropriate notifications regarding zoning code violations, when appropriate.
• Perform building inspections for residential and commercial properties, to determine compliance with applicable building codes, ordinances, and regulations; and, determine whether certain properties are safe for residential occupancy or require condemnation; identify repairs needed and/or actions necessary to achieve compliance, issue appropriate notification regarding code violations and seek to resolve matters related to applicable code standards, working with owner(s), developers, contractors, property managers and maintenance staff to ensure compliance.
• Recommend alterations to construction activities and/or issue correction or stop-work notices for projects violating the zoning code; issue related citations as necessary; seek to resolve violations and related enforcement actions in a timely and efficient manner.
• Review and examine plans of commercial and residential construction projects for compliance with applicable zoning code requirements, including but not limited to, use, setback, area, height, landscaping and parking standards; approve or disapprove plans, identify code deficiencies, clarify and make recommendations for compliance.
• Perform research to determine property ownership and responsibility; respond to public inquiries regarding proposed developments and permitting requirements; provide information and assistance on code enforcement policies, procedures and regulations.
• Communicate and work with developers, contractors, apartment managers and maintenance staff to maintain code requirements and resolve problems relating to code compliance, providing related information to enforcement agencies including City of Albuquerque Legal Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Environmental Health Department and neighborhood groups.
• Distribute, post and/or serve clear and concise notifications pertaining to actions or methods needed to achieve code compliance.
• Prepare and present materials for court prosecution of code violations; may testify in court on behalf of the City regarding code violations; and provide information to contractors, architects, attorneys, court administrators, and property owners regarding the interpretation of applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Review and evaluate business applications and registrations for compliance with City zoning code and related ordinances; approve or deny applications.
• Establish and maintain detailed records; prepare reports and recommendations for condemnation of dwellings with substandard living conditions; explain and support recommendations to higher level staff; attend City Council condemnation case hearings.
• May conduct weekend or night inspections when needed; and may attend weekend or night meetings as needed.
• Perform a variety of tasks and provide administrative support to upper level management.

Supplemental Functions

• Maintain awareness of new inspection codes, building codes, zoning codes and ordinances; and provide interpretation of applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university;

Five (5) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• property or code enforcement
• building construction
• construction management
• zoning enforcement to include inspections involving investigating and interpreting code and ordinance violations
• housing inspection, management and maintenance

Additional Requirements

One (1) year experience in Government preferred.

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possess and maintain an appropriate valid housing code certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC), or possess and maintain certification acceptable to the State of New Mexico as a Building Inspector within ninety (90) days from date of hire as a Code Enforcement Specialist.

Working Conditions

Environmental

Field and office environment; travel from site to site; exposure to computer screens, heat, cold, dust, smoke, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals.

Physical

Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for kneeling, stooping, crawling, walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; moderate lifting.