Code/Fire Enforcement Officer

Tompkins County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

The Town of Danby seeks a Code Enforcement Officer to strengthen property maintenance, fire safety, and code enforcement in the town, issuing notices to correct unsafe conditions. The role operates within the Tompkins County Civil Service framework and requires becoming certified as a Building Safety Inspector within 6 months, with 1/3 of basic training completed at hire.

Minimum qualifications include an associate degree in civil engineering or related field with one year of building

Qualifications

• Possession of an Associate Degree with specialization in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology or related field and one year of building construction or fire-fighting experience.
• 60 semester hours toward a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, or related field and one year of related experience.
• High school diploma or equivalency and three years of experience in building construction or related trades or fire-fighting experience.
• High school diploma or equivalency and three years of experience in reviewing and interpreting building plans, property surveys, and zoning regulations.
• Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than the above requirements.

Responsibilities

• Administers and enforces all provisions of New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and other codes, laws, rules and regulations for construction or alteration of buildings.
• Drafts rules, forms, permits and certificates of occupancy for local approval and enforcement.
• Supervises inspections of construction stages and post-construction compliance.
• Issues, denies or revokes building permits and occupancy certificates as required.
• Issues written notices to correct unsafe, illegal, or dangerous conditions in existing structures.
• Inspects buildings for compliance with fire prevention provisions of the code.
• Maintains records of applications, permits, certificates, fees and inspection reports.
• Prepares various reports for municipal government.
• Initiates civil and/or criminal actions for continued noncompliance.

Skills

Building codes knowledge

Reading plans

Report writing

Cooperation with public

Education

Associate Degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Technology

60 college hours toward Bachelor's in Civil Engineering/Construction Technology

HS diploma + 3 years building/construction or fire-fighting experience

HS diploma + 3 years plans interpretation experience

Equivalent training/experience

Job description

TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICEVACANCY

Inclusion Through Diversity

OPEN TO THE PUBLICTompkins County Department of Human Resources Office

125 E. Court StreetIthaca, NY 14850

[phone]Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply

SALARY: $30.00 PER HOUR

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: PART TIME

ISSUE DATE: 10/29/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 11/13/26

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non-residents on the list.

The Town of Danby is looking to bolster property maintenance, fire safety, and code enforcement in the town, with a focus on issuing written notices to correct unsafe, illegal, or dangerous conditions in existing structures. In addition to the minimum qualifications stated in the Tompkins County Civil Service job description, candidates will be required to become certified as a Building Safety Inspector, including having completed 1/3 of the basic training at the time of hire and completed certification within 6 months thereafter.

See the job description for ,"Code/Fire Enforcement Officer" by clicking on the title on the vacancy page, or by going to the job description list on the Tompkins County Personnel Website.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(a) Possession of an Associate Degree with specialization in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology or a related field AND one year of full time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in building construction work or a fire-fighting organization; OR

(b) Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours at a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or university in a program leading to a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, or a related field AND one year of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in building construction work or a fire-fighting organization; OR

(c) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND three years of satisfactory experience in building construction work or in a building trade such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical or related trades or a fire-fighting organization; OR

(d) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND three years of satisfactory experience in the review and interpretation of building plans, property surveys, and zoning regulations.

(e) Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that defined in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.

Tompkins County is Committed to Equity and Inclusion. We encourage those with similar values to apply.

NOTE 1: Experience as a qualified building inspector can be substituted for an equivalent amount of the above required experience.

NOTE 2: Candidates for appointment in this class will be required to complete any mandated training as established by the Department of State.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for administering and enforcing the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or a local fire and/or building code if approved by the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council. Under general supervision, provides for the coordination of all activities relevant to ensuring compliance with the appropriate laws, codes, rules and regulations. A Code Enforcement Officer may supervise a small number of Building Inspectors, Zoning Compliance personnel, and/or clerical personnel. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Administers and enforces all provisions of New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and other codes, laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the construction or alteration of buildings and structures.
• Prepares rules and regulations, application forms, building permits and certificates of occupancy for the approval of the local governing body, to be used for the administration on enforcement of the various codes, laws, etc.
• Supervises, coordinates and participates in the inspection of various stages of construction, and upon completion of construction of buildings and structures.
• Issues, denies or revokes building permits and certificates of occupancy as required.
• Issues written notices to correct unsafe, illegal, or dangerous conditions in existing structures.
• Inspects, as necessary, buildings and structures for compliance with the fire prevention provisions of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
• Issues a certificate of occupancy for a building constructed or altered in compliance with the provisions of the Uniform Code.
• Maintains accurate records on all transactions and activities including all applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees charged and collected, inspection reports and notice and orders issued.
• Prepares a variety of reports relevant to Code Enforcement activities for the municipal government.
• Initiates civil and/or criminal complaints for continued noncompliance with the Uniform Fire Protection and Building Code.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Thorough knowledge of modern practices, principles, materials and tools used in building construction.
• Good knowledge of building trades.
• Good knowledge of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the local Zoning Code.
• Good knowledge of the principles of fire prevention.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and to maintain records in an orderly manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with other public officials, building contractors and the general public.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications.
• Courtesy, honesty, integrity, thoroughness, tact, and good judgment are required personal characteristics.
• The employee’s physical condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the job.

Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of its efforts to provide employment opportunities to the physically handicapped, Tompkins County Civil Service has adopted a rule permitting the employment of qualified physically handicapped persons without competitive examination (pursuant to Section 55 of Civil Service Law). If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and wish to know more about this rule, please contact the Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non-residents on the list.

ABOUT TOMPKINS COUNTY:

Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office – 125 E. Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 [phone]. Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, 125 EAST COURT STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850