Senior Code Enforcement Officer

Tompkins County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Tompkins County in Ithaca, NY seeks a Senior Code Enforcement Officer to review plans and enforce the Town Code and State codes. The role involves inspections of buildings, coordination with the Fire Department, and providing guidance to contractors and the public.

Must hold NYS Code Enforcement Official Certification and a valid NY driver’s license; residency requirements apply. The position is full-time with a salary of $40.25 per hour and benefits. Apply by 09/25/26.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Town Code.
• Plan review and inspections in compliance with codes.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Examine building permit applications for code compliance and issue permits.
• Conduct inspections and review construction per NYS codes and Town Code.
• Issue certificates of occupancy and conduct final inspections.
• Inspect various sites for compliance with building codes and safety standards.
• Explain and enforce code requirements to contractors, developers and the public.
• Investigate complaints of code violations and prepare related reports.

Skills

Building codes knowledge

Plan review

Inspection experience

Report writing

Education

Associate degree in Civil Engineering or related field

High school diploma or GED

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

TITLE: Senior Code Enforcement Officer

SALARY: $40.25/hour

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full time

ISSUE DATE: 09/01/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 09/25/26

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 09/26/26

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• (a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college with an Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Technology or related field AND two years of experience in building construction, code enforcement or closely related field; OR
• (b) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND four years of full time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in building construction and repair work, as a building inspector or in a government position in the enforcement or compliance of regulations; OR
• Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that described in (a) and (b) above.3.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid New York State Drivers’ License at the time of application and maintain such license for the duration of employment.
• Must possess of a current Department of State (DOS) NYS Code Enforcement Official Certification at the time of application and maintain such for the duration of employment. Maintenance of the license consists of attending and successfully completing the ongoing continuing education requirements for certification on an annual basis.

NOTE: Failure to maintain the licenses and certifications specified above may result in termination of employment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a highly responsible technical position that reviews plans for, and completes inspections of, construction and building use for compliance with the Town Code and enforces the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building codes family. Work is performed under the general supervision of the department Director with considerable autonomy and use of independent judgment in caring out work activities. The position provides assistance to the Director and may act for them in their absence. Supervision may be exercised over other department staff. Attendance at evening meetings at various boards and committees of the Town may be requested. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Examines building permit applications including reviewing plans to determine compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Codes family, as well as the Town Code and issues building permits;
• Conducts inspections and reviews construction in accordance with the performance specifications in the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building code;
• Conducts final inspections of work requiring a permit and issues certificates of occupancy;
• Inspects construction sites including family dwellings, commercial buildings and industrial complexes for compliance with building codes, submitted plans, and if practicing acceptable work standards;
• Performs fire safety inspections of public assembly areas, multiple residences and non-residential occupancies
• Assists in explaining, enforcing and interpreting the National Electric Code, NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Codes family, and the Town Code to contractors, developers and the general public Investigates complaints concerning building and zoning code violations;
• Investigates complaints concerning electrical, building and zoning code violations;
• Prepares a variety of records and reports related to the enforcement of building codes and inspection activities;
• Issues written notices to correct unsafe, illegal or dangerous conditions in existing structures;
• Assumes responsibility of the department in the absence of the Director;
• Issues condemnation notices to owners and builders of improper or hazardous structures;
• May serve as the liaison for the Town to the Fire Department(s) with regard to fire occurrences and hazardous materials incidents;
• Responds to phone inquiries concerning all services provided by the office;
• Day-to-day coordination with other town staff and related organizations;
• May attend Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Planning Board meetings when requested or in the absence of the Director;
• May attend meetings and provide support to other town boards and committees;
• Participates in code enforcement and other trainings;
• The incumbent will perform a variety of related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Working knowledge of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, New York State Multiple Residence Law, New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, Town Code, all related local laws and NYS zoning and land use laws;
• Good knowledge of modern practices, materials and tools used in construction trades;
• Good knowledge of the building trades;
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records in an orderly manner;
• Ability to effectively and tactfully work with building contractors and the general public to achieve compliance with all State and Town regulations;
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications;
• Ability to enforce codes, ordinances and regulations with firmness and tact, but courteously and professionally;
• Ability to understand complex oral and written directions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public, boards and committees, and counterparts in other municipalities;
• Ability to supervise the work of others and have good administrative skills;
• Ability to operate a personal computer, utilizing spreadsheets, word processing and database software;
• Honesty, integrity, thoroughness, tact and good judgment;
• Ability to effectively work with and serve a diverse local community;
• The employee’s physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Originally created 10/03/05: JCD: Town S127.doc

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

Falsification of any part of the "Application for Employment" will result in disqualification.

Accepted candidates will be notified when and where to appear for the examination. If you do not receive your notice to appear at least three days before the date of the written examination, call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources at 274-5526. If an application is disapproved, due notice will be sent. This department does not make formal acknowledgment of the receipt of an application or take responsibility for non-delivery or postal delay.

Applicants must answer every question on the application form and make sure that the application is complete in all respects. Incomplete applications will be disapproved.

ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS OR DISABLED VETERANS desiring to claim additional credit will request the Veterans Credits application form, at any time between the date of application for examination(s) and the date of the establishment of the resulting eligible list. You must meet the requirements set by NYS for these credits and they may be used only once. YOU MAY NOT CLAIM ADDITIONAL CREDITS AFTER THE ELIGIBLE LIST HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. IT IS THE CANDIDATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST THE VETERANS CREDITESTABLISHED.Tompkins County's written examinations are prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations, which deal with the rating and review of the examinations apply.

The duration of the eligible lists may be fixed for a minimum of one and a maximum of four years and may be extended beyond four years if there has been a restriction against the filling of vacancies in that title.The candidates must complete a separate "Application for Employment" for each open-competitive and/or promotional examination that the candidate is eligible to take.

All experience required meeting the acceptable training and experience is full-time experience. (Part-time experience will be credited on a prorated basis).

Appointment from an eligible list must be made from the top three candidates willing to accept the appointment.

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.

Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, and solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with Typewriter Keyboards, Spell Checkers, Personal Digital Assistants, Address Books, Language Translators, Dictionaries or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

CROSS-FILING - APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS WHEN EXAMINATIONS ARESCHEDULED ON THE SAME DATE: When applying for examinations across multiple jurisdictions - all of which are scheduled on the same day - you must submit a Tompkins County Cross-Filing Form. This form must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on the final filing date of the examination. On this form, list each examination that you are taking and then tell us where you would like to sit. The purpose is to ensure that all of the test materials for the various examinations that you are taking will be available in one location. If you do not provide the cross-filing form to us by the final filing date, we cannot ensure that we can accommodate your desire to cross-file. If any of the examinations are State level examinations, you must sit at the State test center. You will still need to complete the Tompkins County cross-filing form. If sitting at the State site, the State will notify you of when and where to report for your examination(s) and you should bring all admittance letters to the State site. If you are not taking a State examination, bring all admittance letters to your chosen testing site. If you have any question please call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Department [phone]. The Cross File form is located at http://www.tompkins-co.org/personnel/CivilSrvForms/index.html

FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS: If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.

ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR POSITIONS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOCES GOVERNED BY TOMPKINS COUNTYCIVIL SERVICE MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL REQUIREMENT. PER CHAPTER 180 OF THE LAWS OF 2000, AND BYREGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, TO BE EMPLOYED IN A POSITION DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOLDISTRICT OR BOCES AS INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, A CLEARANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT FROM THESTATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED.In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duties shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duties in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.â’

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

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