Code Enforcement Officer

This is routine work in the enforcement of ordinances in the Douglas County Unified Development Code, Code of Ordinances, International Property Maintenance Code and other county regulations as may be required. The incumbent receives, investigates and processes complaints from the public and county officials regarding a variety of code violations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Patrolling and inspecting an assigned area of the county to investigate violations of applicable codes
• Responding to complaints of potential code violations; gathering evidence; questioning complainants, witnesses, and suspects; comparing facts gathered to applicable regulations; making findings; issuing citations for corrective measures, or summons to appear in the proper court of law
• Preparing forms for each complaint including such information as property address, legal property owner or responsible parties, and other property and land use description information
• Meeting with property owners, tenants, contractors, developers, business owners, managers, or other persons representing a property, to review and explain code requirements and violations or potential violations; ensuring code compliance through the code enforcement processes and procedures
• Maintaining a variety of logs and records related to inspection and enforcement activities; provide recommendations for amendments and additions to codes regulations which relate to the position responsibilities
• Coordinating efforts with law enforcement, fire department, planning and zoning, building department, animal control, emergency management, county legal staff, other county personnel, and other local, state, or federal staff or agencies
• Reviewing cases being prepared for trial with emphasis on the evidentiary and legal issues important for successful prosecution
• Preparing detailed reports of activities and investigations conducted; consulting with county legal staff and preparing case report for court action; testifying in court
• Assisting in obtaining, enhancing, preparing, or presenting exhibits or other evidence in court
• Conducting research on issues related to assigned duties which shall include, but not be limited to, making inquiries on the mainframe computer to access tax and other county records
• Submitting impact studies for re-zoning, variance and prior history of violations
• All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents
• Performing other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• One year of experience in local, state or federal government planning, zoning, community development, housing or building inspections, law enforcement, or related field
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Ability and willingness to drive a county vehicle

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver's License (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of or ability to learn county and department operations, ordinances, policies, procedures, terminology, building codes, radio signals, and/or materials as they relate to assignment
• Knowledge of or ability to learn applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they relate to assignment relating to various land use, nuisance, and public safety codes
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, and grammar
• Knowledge of mathematical computations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent; ability to perform specific computations that are applicable to the job such as discounts, interest, proportions, et cetera
• Knowledge of code enforcement principles, practices and methods as applicable to a government setting
• Knowledge of code inspection, investigation, and violation correction techniques
• Must possess good written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess good map reading and route planning abilities.
• Must be able to work in high stress situations and professionally and effectively deal with difficult or threatening situations.
• Knowledge of legal processes and terminology as required by assignment
• Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and equipment
• Knowledge of specialized software, machinery, materials, terminology, and/or forms essential to the assignment
• Knowledge of zoning, planning and land use laws, rules and regulations
• Skill in effective inter-personal and public relations and customer service; excellent oral and written communication skills to satisfactorily resolve conflicts and issues, and to explain established policies and procedures to employees and the general public
• Skill in exercising tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues and situations
• Skill in handling and operating all assigned equipment, tools, and/or vehicles in a safe and proficient manner
• Skill in performing tasks which require attention to detail, and completing assigned jobs efficiently and correctly
• Skill in planning, prioritizing, and organizing work; ability to handle multiple work assignments and deadlines efficiently, accurately, and professionally
• Skill in taking photographic evidence as required
• Skill in transcribing tapes if required by assignment
• Skill in the use of personal computers, MS Office Suite, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing; typing and entering data into a computer system accurately and efficiently
• Ability to apply common sense to understand, follow, and complete verbal and written instructions
• Ability to coordinate and administer department policies and programs in an effective manner
• Ability to follow established safety rules and departmental policies and procedures
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally and to exercise discretion in performing assigned job duties; inability to maintain confidentiality will be grounds for dismissal
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions within policy guidelines by exercising good judgment and intelligent situation-assessment
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and comprehend a variety of documents including, but not limited to, memos, instructions, correspondence, technical reports, legal documents, ordinances, governmental policies and procedures, design plans, maps and deeds, blueprints, budgets, diagrams, tables, evidentiary documents, building code manuals, professional articles, site plans, zoning maps, engineering/architectural drawings, topographic maps, and aerial photographs as they relate to assignment
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions or direct supervision

Salary: $44,581.89 annually, ($21.4336 hourly) plus full benefits package

Employment Opportunities (Section 13-50)

“The recruitment, selection, appointment and promotion of employees shall be in such a manner as to promote equal employment for all persons without regard to race, age, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, national origin, physical handicap or political affiliation or sexual preference.”