Inspector: Zoning & Licensing - BNS

Indy; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Zoning & Licensing Inspector role within the City of Indianapolis Department of Business & Neighborhood Services focuses on the technical interpretation, application, and field inspection practices to ensure properties comply with land use regulations and related ordinances.

Inspectors serve as subject matter experts on codes and adjudication processes, frequently engaging with the public, City Councilors, and other agencies.

Qualifications

• Requires college degree OR 4+ years of related work experience in customer service, conflict management, public administration or interpretation/application of technical content.
• Strong reading and interpretation of local ordinances required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to testify in court or public forums.

Responsibilities

• Read, interpret, and explain local ordinances to others.
• Conduct field inspections of properties for compliance with land use regulations.
• Research land use petitions, permits, and case files.
• Refer to zoning maps, site plans, and plats for investigations.
• Initiate enforcement actions: issue citations, prepare case files, testify in court.

Skills

Reading & interpreting ordinances

Customer service

Conflict management

Public administration

Communication skills

Public speaking

Judgement & critical thinking

Attention to detail

Property & land use knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

GPS software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Agency Summary

The purpose and mission of the Department of Business & Neighborhood Services (DBNS) is to protect and improve the quality of life of persons and animals in the City of Indianapolis. DBNS is the City of Indianapolis and Marion County’s principal department responsible for business licenses, residential and commercial permits, and the enforcement of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the Consolidated City and County. The department also oversees operations at the city’s animal shelter, Indianapolis Animal Care Services. DBNS is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Job Summary

The Zoning & Licensing Inspector is a code enforcement officer position which specializes in the technical interpretation, application, and field inspection practices of ensuring properties are in compliance with local land use regulations and other related ordinances. Zoning & Licensing Inspectors are the subject matter experts in all applicable codes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as the related adjudication processes.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

• Responsible for reading, interpreting, and assisting others in understanding local ordinances
• Conduct field inspections of all types of property (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) for compliance with land use regulations and other applicable ordinances.
• Researching land use petitions, permits and other case files relative to investigations.
• Referring to zoning maps, site plans and plats, researching legal property information.
• Initiating enforcement action which includes issuing citations, preparing case files, and testifying in court.
• Inspectors represent BNS in court, at neighborhood meetings, correspond with City/County Councilors, and work with other government agencies and other community stakeholders regarding code matters.
• Inspectors may be on-call on a rotational basis for a period of one (1) week, twenty-four (24) hours per day, to respond to after-hours investigations or inspection requests. Other after-hours inspections may also be required per departmental policy.
• Inspectors become the subject matter experts in all applicable codes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as the different adjudication processes for each.
• Skills and knowledge that are typically acquired through a college degree OR at least four (4) years of work experience in a position that required expertise in customer service, conflict management, public administration and/or interpretation and application of technical content. Any combination of education and/or related work experience totaling four (4) years is acceptable.
• Strong customer service and communication skills; ability to speak in public forums and respond to questions. Incumbent will serve as the department’s expert witness in environmental court related to their investigations.
• Strong conflict management skills. Must be able to solve practical problems with tact, diplomacy, and persuasiveness in dealing with a variety of people in a variety of situations. A supervisor is generally available by phone, email and/or other messaging system; however, incumbent spends most of the working day in the field independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and critical thinking when working alone. Candidate will work alone for much of the workday and will need to exercise sound judgement and independent decision making. Errors in judgement could result in regulatory, budgetary, or negative legal consequences for BNS.
• Attention to detail. Incumbent will spend a significant amount of time researching property, permits and petitions, as well as the ordinance. Incumbent will be responsible for properly documenting inspection events and details, taking photographs and compiling reports for investigations.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and communicate local ordinance requirements to others.
• Ability to obtain and hold Special Police Powers issued by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).
• Must have and retain a valid Indiana Driver’s license and have ability to operate and take home a City-issued vehicle.
• Incumbent must certify in the appropriate, approved disciplines per the department’s policy to maintain employment. Certifications may be obtained after hire and are not required prior to employment.
• Proficient in the use of computers, smartphones and general office equipment. Incumbent will be required to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, GPS software and general internet use. Incumbent will be trained on internal software programs.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Prior experience in reading and interpreting zoning ordinances and laws.
• A working knowledge of city streets is helpful to this position; however, ability to use GPS software is sufficient.

• Most work is performed in a mobile office setting and in the field; though some work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Incumbent must be willing to proactively engage citizens in the field when a situation requires it. Incumbent will be performing inspections in a variety of conditions, locations, and areas of the city.
• Regular shift working hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm. Regular shifts include two (2) fifteen-minute breaks and a one (1) hour lunch break. In addition to on-call duties, incumbent may be required to occasionally work after-hours, per the shift bid process outlined in the AFSME Union contract. After-hours shift times and locations may vary.
• This is an AFSME Union eligible position. Incumbent will be required to adhere to HR City-County Handbook guidelines as well as the latest edition of the AFSME Union contract with the City-County.

Physical Conditions

• While conducting inspections, Incumbent may be required to walk over rough or uneven terrain surfaces, climb steps, maneuver over trenches or other obstacles and remove signs from the ground or overhead.
• Work is performed in a variety of weather conditions.
• Incumbent should have vision that will allow driving at night and inspecting properties and places in low light conditions.
• Incumbent must be able to lift/move up to 25lbs.