Neighborhood Inspector

City of Des Moines, IA; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Des Moines, IA invites applicants for a Housing/Code Enforcement role focused on enforcing housing, environmental health, and zoning ordinances. You will work with neighborhoods, the public and organizations to obtain voluntary compliance and provide code information and education.

The position emphasizes inspections, notices, and enforcement actions, with responsibilities spanning data collection, court support, and coordination with City staff to improve property conditions.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.
• Two years post-high school education or two years inspection experience.
• Three years experience in building construction or related field. Education may satisfy up to one year.

Responsibilities

• Survey, inspect, investigate and enforce housing and related codes to assess compliance.
• Enforce zoning, environmental health, nuisance vegetation, and minimum property standards.
• Conduct vector inspections and perform eradication measures as needed.
• Collect data and prepare reports and correspondence on inspection findings.
• Issue notices, counsel violators, and pursue legal remedies for non-compliance.
• Maintain records and assist in court presentations and testimony when required.
• Coordinate with public, neighborhood groups and City staff to promote compliance.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years post-high school education in related field

Two years inspection experience (housing, building, zoning or health)

Three years experience in building construction or related field

Job description

Performs a variety of inspection and enforcement actions with a proactive community approach. Works with neighborhood groups, the public and other organizations.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to enforce and obtain compliance with the City’s housing, environmental health, vector control, noise, odor, graffiti, zoning and public nuisance ordinances and regulations. Employees work closely with neighborhood groups, the public and other organizations to obtain voluntary compliance with city codes and to provide information and education on the City code requirements to the general public.

Benefits

• Residency Incentive Program
• Paid Volunteer Time-Off
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Activities
• Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
• Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%
• Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
• Employee Discount Program

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a GED; and
• Two years of post-high school education in property maintenance, business administration, public administration, environmental health, planning, education, public relations or a related field; or
• Two years inspection experience (housing, building, zoning or health); or
• Three years of experience in building construction, building maintenance or a related field.
• Education may be used to satisfy up to one year of experience.

Certifications & Requirements

• Possession of or acquisition of the Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector Certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
• Possession of a valid Iowa Driver’s License or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Responsibilities

• Surveys, inspects, investigates and enforces requirements for residential properties to determine compliance with the City’s Housing Code and other related codes including applicable fire, building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes;
• Surveys, inspects, investigates and enforces City zoning, environmental health, nuisance vegetation, minimum property standards and related regulations;
• Conducts vector inspections and performs eradication measures as needed;
• Collects data and prepares reports and correspondence on inspection findings which may be referred to the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Health and the Zoning Board of Adjustment;
• Observes violations, issues notices, counsels code violators, prepares case files, pursues legal remedies, initiates public nuisance actions and oversees forced clean‑ups and board‑ups of non-compliant properties;
• Maintains records of current activities and updates automated property files;
• Assists in the preparation of injunctive, citation and condemnation cases for court presentations and testifies in court when needed;
• Performs code related enforcement and monitoring activities on a scheduled or an "on-call" basis after normal working hours as required;
• Meets with the public, neighborhood groups, boards or commissions, or other agencies, or City staff to explain, encourage and coordinate the compliance of minimum property, housing, zoning, nuisance vegetation or health related codes or ordinances;
• Refers to public to City services related to neighborhood concerns;
• Contacts owners and tenants to provide technical assistance and to promote improved property maintenance;
• Conducts specialized inspections as assigned;
• Assists in the training of new and temporary staff in the proper delivery of related services;
• Acts for supervisor as directed; and
• Performs related duties as required.