Zoning Enforcement Officer

Lancaster County Economic Development; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster County Economic Development seeks a dedicated professional to enforce county codes and ordinances. The role involves field investigations, interviewing violators and witnesses, and presenting cases in court hearings. You will coordinate enforcement tasks, maintain case files, and respond to citizen inquiries while working under supervision.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years in code enforcement or law enforcement. Association memberships are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three years of code enforcement or law enforcement experience.
• Membership in the Upper State Code Enforcement Association/South Carolina Litter Association preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist and coordinate daily code enforcement tasks and ensure timely processing of violations according to procedures.
• Receive and respond to public inquiries regarding county codes and ordinances; present cases in court hearings.
• Conduct field investigations to identify violations and interview violators, witnesses and informants.
• Prepare and submit notices of confirmed violations and explain abatement options to involved parties.
• Maintain accurate case files, records and reports; update computer database.
• Research zoning and ownership details for non-compliant properties; process fees and fines.

Skills

Code enforcement knowledge

Property ownership research

Public communication

Reading and explaining codes

Case file preparation

Documenting violations

Court evidence preparation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Three years code enforcement / law enforcement experience

Job description

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to enforce, investigate, coordinate, direct, assist and advise the code enforcement staff regarding the enforcement and investigation of violations of various Lancaster County codes and ordinances, prepare and maintain required documentation, and assist in presentation at court hearings. The staff member conducts field investigations to identify code violations, interviews violators, witnesses and persons filing complaints, and receives, investigates and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints about County Codes and Ordinances. This role works under general supervision and develops work methods and sequences within a broad outline of duties.

Examples of Duties

• Assists and coordinates the daily tasks of code enforcement, ensuring timely processing of violations according to procedures and policies, and maintains communication with staff and supervisors.
• Receives, investigates and responds to public inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints regarding county codes and ordinances; presents cases and attends court hearings.
• Conducts field investigations to identify code violations, interviews and obtains statements from violators, witnesses and confidential informers, and conducts visual surveillance of properties when necessary.
• Prepares and submits notices of confirmed violations; provides written and verbal explanations of all abatement options to relevant parties.
• Assists various county officials with investigations and enforcement through respective departments.
• Maintains accurate case files, records and reports, and keeps the computer database of cases up-to-date.
• Researches zoning and ownership details for each non-compliant property.
• Receives and processes various fees and fines.

Other Duties

• Reads, comprehends, interprets, analyzes and explains codes and ordinances to the public.
• Assists the Sheriff’s Department and DHEC in investigating code violations; assists the Fire Prevention Department with cases and court hearings.
• Prepares studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
• Attends training, seminars, meetings and other professional development activities.
• Performs general clerical work as required, such as preparing reports, correspondence, filing documents, entering data, answering phone calls and attending meetings.
• Prepares presentations for hearings and court cases; serves summonses and subpoenas for code violators; informs supervisors of case status on a regular basis.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three (3) years of code enforcement or law enforcement experience.

Certifications and Licenses

• Membership in the Upper State Code Enforcement Association/South Carolina Litter Association preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of county zoning ordinances and building and code standards.
• Skilled in researching property ownership.
• Effective communication with and supervision of code enforcement staff.
• Able to read, comprehend, interpret, analyze and explain codes and ordinances to the public.
• Skillful in preparing case files, establishing legal ownership, and collecting necessary information for investigations.
• Proficient at documenting violations through photographs and other pertinent data.
• Maintains case files and prepares evidence for presentation in court.

Physical and Dexterity Requirements

Work involves walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling 1/3 of the time; standing, sitting, climbing or balancing 1/3 to 2/3 of the time; talking or hearing over 2/3 of the time; and lifting up to 100 pounds under 1/3 of the time.

Vision Requirements

Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Potential Environmental Conditions/Hazards

The job may expose the employee to indoor and outdoor environments, noise, extreme temperatures, vibration, moisture, dust, fumes, gases, poor ventilation, electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, explosive hazards, burn hazards, and potential for violence or physical altercations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer.