CODES COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR III

JOB DESCRIPTION

CODES COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR
CODES COMPLIANCE

Human Resources Department
700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200

Newport News, VA 23606
NEWPORT NEWS, VA Phone: (757) 926-1800

CITY OF OPPORTUNITY Fax: (757) 926-1825

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for performing building, property and
conditional use inspections to ensure compliance with federal, state and local ordinances. Reports to
a Senior Codes Compliance Inspector.

There are three (3) levels of Codes Compliance Inspector distinguished by the level of work
performed and the qualifications of the employee.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs inspections of residential and commercial properties and authorized signage placed
throughout the City to ensure compliance with the Virginia Maintenance Code of the Uniform
Statewide Building Code and local ordinances pertaining to zoning issues, conditional use permits,
certificates of occupancy, and the City’s property maintenance codes or special exceptions; reviews
plans and drawings; researches property deeds; advises home and business owners regarding
property maintenance and zoning related matters. Investigates citizen complaints regarding potential
municipal code or ordinance violations.

Issues violation notifications, warnings and court summonses to property owners for non-compliance
concerns; testifies in court. Condemns unsafe property and assists with citizen relocations when
appropriate; coordinates the removal of debris, non-conforming signs and abandoned vehicles and
signs as well as the demolition of unsafe structures.

Conducts inspections for regulatory compliance for conditional use permits, special exceptions and
conditional zoning issued by the City and responds to questions for related issues.

May be responsible for special projects and provide direction to Codes Compliance Inspectors for
daily assignments; assists with training Codes Compliance Inspectors on the rules, regulations,
policies, and procedures of the department. May serve as Zoning Coordinator in their absence.
Prepares detailed documentation for project and general inspection status; writes daily reports,
incident reports and inspection logs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community
and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also
expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Page 1 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE


Code Enforcement – Knowledge of the principles and methods of enforcing municipal codes;
knowledge of USBC and local laws, ordinances, and codes. Knowledge of the methods of
investigation utilized in code compliance inspections; knowledge of safety, hazardous materials,
and fire prevention techniques and requirements; knowledge of legal property descriptions;
regulations and requirements for court evidence documentation. 

Construction - Knowledge of modern methods, practices and techniques of general construction
and commercial development to include project blueprints and technical schematics. 

Safety - Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions and safety regulations related to
construction sites and property inspections. Knowledge of common safety rules, regulations,
procedures and practices

REQUIRED SKILLS


Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships
with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations. 

Judgement/Decision Making – Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate
situations; anticipates, identifies and evaluates potentially dangerous, unusual or deviating
situations; diffuses emotional situations and exercises appropriate judgment to establish priorities
and take prompt action for problem resolution.

REQUIRED ABILITIES


Time Management –Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the
completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. 

Communication – Ability to communicate ideas effectively, including the preparation of reports
and logs. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally
and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy and
in a confidential manner.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Codes Compliance Inspector I – Requires a high school diploma and one year of experience in
property maintenance, zoning codes or law enforcement, or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Codes Compliance Inspector II – Requires a high school diploma and 2 - 4 years of experience in
property maintenance, zoning codes or law enforcement or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Codes Compliance Inspector III - Requires a high school diploma and 5 - 7 years of experience in
property maintenance, zoning codes and law enforcement, or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires an acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check
and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Page 2 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015

Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical evaluation.

Requires designation as Conservator of the Peace.

Must obtain and maintain certifications as a Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector from the
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) within 18 months of
employment. Must possess and maintain certification as a Zoning Official from the Virginia
Association of Zoning Officials for eligibility as a Codes Compliance Inspector III.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort. 

Some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping to include climbing ladders, kneeling,
crouching, and crawling. 

Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (10-20
pounds).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS 

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate depth, texture and visual cues or
signals. 

Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such
as dirt, dust, pollen wetness, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, heights, unsafe
structures, confined spaces, or traffic hazards.

Page 3 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015