Code Enforcement Officer Trainee

Summary

This is skilled investigative, technical and administrative work in the enforcement of the city building and zoning code regulations, , and city ordinances. Responsibilities include investigation, research, documentation and enforcement of city codes and ordinances. Position involves technical and administrative, field and office inspection, enforcement and review work of more than ordinary difficulty and responsibility. Duties include inspecting new and existing buildings, structures and properties on a regular basis to ensure compliance with applicable City codes, City and State life safety codes, ordinances, statutes, and regulations governing business tax receipts; initiating correspondence regarding code compliance issues; and, maintaining accurate code inspection records and reports. Work involves considerable public contact and requires the ability to deal with public relations issues in a professional, tactful and courteous way.

Essential Function Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs daily field inspections to determine compliance with City Codes
• Performs field inspections for compliance with provisions of business tax receipts
• Conducts detailed inspections for compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Ordinance
• Makes daily inspections of public places for hazards; orders corrections of hazardous conditions as directed
• Investigates complaints of hazardous conditions or practices
• Issues correction requests, violation notices or citations as needed in order to gain compliance
• Investigates complaints of unlicensed business activity
• Investigates complaints of Code violations
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision making purposes
• Prepares a variety of reports and maintains necessary operating records; retains all information for future reference
• Follows policies, procedures and standards for efficient and effective operation, compliance and maintenance of departmental operations
• Answers letters of inquiry and talks with visitors
• Maintains liaison and effective working relationships with other departments as well as state, local, and other public officials
• Performs essential computer functions such as data entry, printing, retrieval, reports, etc.
• Presents cases of all Code violations before the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate
• Performs duties as assigned during emergency response conditions
• Performs any other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by some college level courses, or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications/Preferences

• Must have the ability to obtain, maintain and possess one certification as a Code Enforcement Officer Level by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) within twelve (12) months of employment.
• Valid Florida Driver's license with a good driving record

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of state, county and local legal requirements pertaining to safety laws, codes and ordinances
• Thorough knowledge of Florida Statute 162 regarding Code Enforcement
• Thorough knowledge of Florida Statute 205 regarding Occupational License tax
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of local zoning codes
• Considerable knowledge of inspection methods and techniques
• Considerable knowledge of investigation techniques
• Skill in recognizing potential safety hazards
• Ability to identify and apply applicable codes, statutes, rules and regulations for various licensed/exempt facilities and businesses in an assigned geographic area.
• Ability to critically observe, obtain data and prepare reports on findings
• Ability to propose and develop effective solutions to safety hazards identified during inspections
• Ability to establish and maintains effective working relationships with state agency personnel, facility/business management and staff, city and county officials/inspectors, local fire departments, and others concerned safety, property maintenance and business tax receipts
• Ability to enforce codes firmly, tactfully and impartially with the general public
• Ability to propose and develop effective solutions to non-compliant conditions identified during inspections
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, business owners, contractors, other agencies and the public

Environmental Conditions and Physical Demands

The environmental conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to manipulate, handle, grasp, feel, push, pull, lift, carry or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms and use repetitive motions. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff. The noise level in the work environment in the office is that which is expected in a busy office environment, which is quiet to moderately loud and moderate in the field. Some work may require an employee to be exposed to outside weather conditions that may include extreme temperatures, wet and/or humid conditions.