License Officer

City of Las Vegas; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Las Vegas invites applications for a License Officer. This role conducts inspections of businesses and investigates computer-based advertisements for business license compliance; enforces licensing ordinances and regulations; handles zoning and nuisance enforcement; and may perform undercover operations.

You will issue warnings, notices, and criminal and civil citations, and testify in court when required.

Qualifications

• Two years of work experience requiring interpretation/enforcement of varied codes and regulations.
• One year of frequent, heavy public contact is desirable.
• Possession of a valid driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site compliance inspections of commercial and in-home businesses.
• Investigate licensing problems and complaints; issue warnings, notices, and citations.
• Prepare written reports and spreadsheets; conduct follow-up inspections.
• Testify in court and at civil hearings; maintain case files and data.
• Coordinate licensing processes with other city divisions and agencies.

Skills

Investigative methods

Code enforcement

Public interaction

Documentation

Communication

Education

Associate's degree in business management/criminal justice or related field

Job description

Notice of Limited Applications

This posting is limited to the first100 applications received.
When that number is reached the posting will be automatically removed.

Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas invites applications for License Officer. This position conducts inspections of businesses and investigates computer-based advertisements for business license compliance; enforces licensing ordinances and regulations; investigates general and privileged license problems and complaints, including zoning and nuisance violations; conducts interviews and issues warning notices and criminal and civil citations; performs undercover operations; initiates court action and testifies in court and civil hearings; and performs related paperwork and data maintenance.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the full journey level class within the License Officer series assigned to the Compliance and Enforcement unit. Employees perform the full range of duties as assigned including independently conducting investigations and field inspections of businesses for business license, zoning, and nuisance compliance, informing the public of code requirements and initiating and following through on enforcement actions that may include court action. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Supervision Received

Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory or management staff.

Type of Examination

A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a city position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list and must be worked on individually by the applicant only.The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list. The eligible list will remain in effect for a period of 6 months from the date of certification and may be extended for a period of up to 2 years.

Selection Process

Final candidate selection will include list placement and may include hiring interview. Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, complete background check, and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the physical requirements of the job. Some positions may require preliminary background checks. The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligible list for current and/ or future openings which may include part-time or full-time positions.

Essential Functions

1. Conducts on-site compliance inspections of commercial and in-home businesses as necessary to issue general and privileged licenses; investigates licenses problems and complaints; interviews complainants and witnesses; collects information and documents violations; prepares written reports and spreadsheets based on findings; conducts follow up inspections; issues warnings, notices, and criminal and civil citations; assesses re-inspection fees.
2. Reviews site plans and special use permit requirements to verify compliance with land use and licensing conditions. Performs all needed research and enforcement to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.
3. Issues misdemeanor citations or infraction to offenders, appear in court, give legal depositions, provides witness information, prepares administrative search warrants, prepares summon and complaint affidavits as required by City Attorney.
4. Prepares timely case reports for court, civil hearings, and administrative proceedings; testifies in court, in civil hearings, and at administrative proceedings as necessary.
5. Conducts investigation of computer-based advertising, businesses and activities to ensure compliance with business licensing ordinances. Performs online research to identify and locate commercial activities within the Las Vegas area.
6. Provides timely and relevant information to supervisor and management staff, qualified law enforcement and other licensing agencies concerning the enforcement of state and local licensing laws.
7. Forwards information related to criminal activities to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
8. Utilizes a computer-based system to store, process, and analyze business activity.
9. Operates and maintains automated systems; builds interoperability and exchanges confidential information with other agencies.
10. Participates in facilitating the general and privileged license application and renewal process, researching background information on the business, conducting inspections, processing documentation, and facilitating administrative action taken on an application.
11. Provides responsible customer service to the public and other city staff; interprets and explains city business licensing ordinances and regulations, either in person, in writing, or on the telephone; responds to questions, complaints, and violations and resolve problems, including coordinating responses with various affected city departments.
12. Determines correct licensing categories based upon inspection of business premises.
13. Acts as a liaison to the division; responds to requests from various other city divisions; coordinates the routing of licensing information to applicable divisions. Represents the division in various committees and work groups.
14. Participates in the enforcement of zoning codes.
15. Maintains files of ongoing inspections and other business license activities; compiles and enters data and statistics on inspections into computer systems; prepares and presents a variety of written reports.
16. Shares technical knowledge with employees in inspection and investigative methods and techniques in general and privileged licensing, and in techniques for handling customers, including difficult customers.
17. Participates in special community events. Prepares and presents presentations to the public about business licensing, zoning, and nuisance codes and ordinances and related city resources.
18. Operates and secures assigned vehicles and other assigned equipment; determines whether vehicle is in good working orders; maintains vehicle in clean and fueled condition.
19. Attends pre-application meetings as needed; assists with building plan review and provides technical advice on business licensing code compliance.
20. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience

Two years of work experience which required the frequent interpretation, explanation or enforcement of varied codes and regulations, including one year of frequent, heavy public contact. Business license or business inspection experience is desirable.

Training

Associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in business management, criminal justice, or a related field.

A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.

License or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Special Requirements

Certain city functions operate on a 24 hour per day, seven day per week schedule, and may require support on any shift.

Knowledge of

• Principles and methods of personal computer usage.
• Techniques of online research and investigation.
• Mathematical principles.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer and office equipment.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Safety and health standards as applicable to business licensing activities.
• Methods of business activities, marketing and business licensing procedures.
• Investigative and inspection methods and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
• Laws, codes and regulations applicable to general business and privileged licensing.
• Zoning and nuisance requirements.
• Basic collection procedures and techniques.
• Accounting procedures and practices.
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a license officer program.

Skills in

• Interpreting and enforcing applicable rules and regulations governing general and privileged business licensing, zoning and nuisance requirements.
• Demonstrating effective problem solving skills and uses sound judgment when making decision.
• Operating a personal computer and office equipment, including a variety of software programs.
• Conducting online research.
• Navigating through various social media websites.
• Documenting research results and preparing technical reports.
• Communicating effectively with irate customers in sensitive situations.
• Responding to potentially confrontational situations.
• Establishing and meeting critical deadlines, compiling and collecting data, establishing priorities, organizing workload, and conducting necessary follow up activities with minimal supervision.
• Using investigative and inspection methods and techniques.
• Detecting inconsistent or suspect information provided by customer that may warrant further investigation.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Making computations rapidly and accurately.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Working independently in the absence of supervision.

Ability to

Work with confidential information and other enforcement agencies such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, State Gaming Control Board, or other jurisdictions on cases with mutual interest.
Work effectively in various environments which may include the presence of alcohol, tobacco, medical marijuana, sexually oriented settings, literature and merchandise, and other potentially unlawful activities.

Competencies

Core Workforce Competencies

Professionalism...Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.

Effective Communication...Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.

Customer Focus...Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/ or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.

Adaptability...Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.

Problem Solving...Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.

Productive Partnerships...Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.

Technical and Safety Expertise...Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.