Code Officer

Alachua County Sheriff's Office; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Alachua County Sheriff's Office seeks a qualified Codes Enforcement professional to interpret and enforce county codes, conduct inspections, and issue citations as needed.

The role involves reviewing compliance, communicating with violators, and coordinating with supervisors. Candidates should have high school diploma, related experience, and FACE FACE certification within 12 months. A valid Florida license and clean motor vehicle record are required.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of county ordinances, codes and procedures.
• Ability to read maps, plats and aerial photos for inspections.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Investigates citizen complaints and requests related to housing, zoning, land development and illegal dumping.
• Prepares notices of violations and communicates with violators regarding resolutions.
• Initiates follow-up actions to ensure compliance and maintains case files.

Skills

Code enforcement knowledge

Map reading

Oral & written communication

Interpersonal skills

Detail oriented

Tools

Code enforcement software

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent and three years codes enforcement or related experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. Level 1 certification by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) must be obtained within 12 months of employment in this classification. A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent and three years codes enforcement or related experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. Level 1 certification by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) must be obtained within 12 months of employment in this classification. A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is independent, specialized technical work in the field, involving the interpretation and enforcement of the Alachua County codes ordinances. An employee assigned to this classification may be directed to support the enforcement of ordinances generally associated with other divisions or departments and is responsible for conducting various compliance reviews and inspections, reporting violations, and issuing citations. Work is performed under the direction of a higher- level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

Essential Job Functions

• This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
• Exudes a positive customer service focus.
• Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
• Investigates citizen complaints and/or requests related to standard housing, zoning, land development, refuse, recycling, yard trash and illegal dumping.
• Prepares notices of violation to be sent to violators after inspection; communicates with alleged violators regarding complaints, the process he/she will be involved in and the resolution to the violation.
• May issue citations for enforcement and violations through both administrative and court actions.
• Initiates follow-up actions and contact with violator to ensure compliance with code. Notifies supervisor when it appears that no compliance progress is attempted.
• Prepares and maintains detailed files of ongoing cases.
• Prepares and presents information to the Special Magistrate regarding alleged violations; provides date of incident, photographs, and written statements from witnesses, etc.
• Prepares monthly summary report of actions including notice of violations, affidavits from inspections, results of compliance or noncompliance and hearing requests for Special Magistrate.
• Remains current on adoption of new State statutes and County code, ordinances, and regulations.
• Reports statistics on inspection activity.
• Coordinates inspections of illegal dumping activity.
• Responds to inquiries from citizens to discuss code complaints and interpretation of ordinances and regulations.
• Inspects sites for other county offices to determine the status of a parcel, whether it contains dwellings and/or the presence/size of solid waste containers.
• Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties.
• Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Thorough knowledge of County ordinances, policies and procedures. Thorough knowledge of procedures of code enforcement inspection. Knowledge of regulations pertaining to solid waste, recycling, yard trash collection, and illegal dumping for residential and commercial properties. Considerable knowledge of County-wide geographic area. Ability to utilize code enforcement software to prepare notices of violations. Ability to prepare and to present code enforcement cases to the Special Magistrate or County Court. Ability to read and comprehend maps, plats, and aerial photographs. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the general public both in person and over the phone. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; bend, squat, and twist, reach with hands and arms and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs.

We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well‑being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program

We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well‑being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows:
• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
• Christmas Day
• Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
• 2 Floating Holidays (All non- IAFF employees)
• IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.