Code Enforcement Officer I

The City of Derby strives to be an employer of choice and our desire is to attract and retain honest, hard working and motivated employees who are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the citizens of Derby. We offer competitive wages, awesome benefits, including affordable health insurance with no deductible and no coinsurance and retirement benefits. We also offer Alternative Work Schedules to help employees achieve work-life balance. Pay range: $19.05-$25.78 per hour, DOQ. Details related to the position description are below:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

80% Enforcement of Zoning and Other Municipal Codes

• Self-initiate enforcement cases through proactive observation.
• Conduct field inspections in response to violation complaints issued and communicate with complainants and property owners as needed.
• Inspect residential footings, foundation walls and residential approaches.
• Operate motor vehicle on a regular basis.
• Review, approve and inspect all residential fence permits.
• Research deeds, maps, plats and other related documents to determine ownership of properties.
• Maintain knowledge of changes to municipal code and zoning ordinances.
• Confer with other city staff to ensure consistent code enforcement and to develop recommendations for improvements.
• Exercise enforcement and abatement responsibilities under City regulations.
• Follow up on violations to ensure they are corrected through voluntary compliance, abatement, or judicial action.
• Answer questions and provide information to citizens and contractors pertaining to municipal code and zoning ordinance violations.
• Issue notices of violations of municipal code and zoning ordinances and provide information in the time frame allowed for achieving compliance.

20% Records and Reports

• Review reports and citations for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare and provide reports pertaining to code enforcement activities.
• Prepare written staff reports and present evidence pertaining to code violations to management, and occasionally to the Zoning Appeals Board and Municipal Court.
• Maintain case files, logs, and other records related to inspection and enforcement activities in an organized manner and ensure appropriate evidence, such as field notes, photographs and statements from complainants are included.

Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing the above functions. Other tasks as assigned will be performed in order to address business needs.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Latitude: Most duties are assigned and then the employee arranges tasks to complete duties. Problem solving is accomplished independently most of the time. Some decisions not affecting other departments may be made independently based on city policy. Regular and reliable attendance at work is expected.

Interaction: Frequent interaction with employees throughout the organization and with the general public.

Qualifications:

• One year customer service experience, preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200 and 700 certifications required within 12 months of employment.
• Formal code enforcement training such as ICC or AACE, preferred. AACE Code Enforcement Officer Certification required within one year.
• Driving record must meet commercial liability insurance requirements.
• One year code enforcement, law enforcement or similar experience interpreting administrative rules and regulations, preferred.
• Some college or technical training in zoning, construction management, trade inspections, planning, law enforcement or related, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interpret and enforce laws, ordinances, codes and procedures.
• Ability to access, input, process, and retrieve information from the computer and learn required computer software.
• Knowledge of interview and communication techniques necessary to obtain information and diffuse situations.
• Ability to obtain thorough knowledge of the city s Subdivision, Zoning Ordinances, and municipal codes.
• Ability to handle difficult and uncooperative members of the public.
• Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and communicate effectively and clearly during the course of compliance activity, both orally and in writing.

Environmental Conditions/Physical Requirements: Approximately 80% of work is performed outside. Regular exposure to adverse weather conditions, hazardous elements, and dangerous situations. Regular carrying, lifting, moving or pushing of 30 pounds. Occasional (25%) bending, stooping, crawling, squatting, and twisting. Regular use of manual dexterity and visualization of a computer screen throughout the day. May be subject to uncooperative public reaction regarding code enforcement issues.