Salary: $55,097.00 - $69,158.00 Annually
Location : North Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 9/25/2023
Department: Building and Community Development Department
Opening Date: 01/02/2024
Description

The Code Enforcer position involves comprehension and application of North Chicago housing codes in a fast paced customer service oriented environment. The inspector must have the ability to enforce adopted property maintenance building codes, and other adopted municipal codes with an appropriate and respectful demeanor.

Employee conducts physical inspections of structures; premises both residential and commercial buildings; issuing citations for violations, initiating court complaints and providing sworn court testimony regarding violations of any building system or component including but not limited to structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. This position conducts physical inspections and re-inspections of existing property located within the City.

Work involves traveling from City offices by vehicle to locations located within the City for the purpose of inspecting buildings, structures or premises, and to assess the condition of such locations in relation to the codes enforced by the City. Inspections are performed in locations that include the exterior, or interior of any site that may be below grade, or inspection of rooms, halls, stairs, roofs or any other structure or building component.

Employee uses judgment in determining code violations and the immediacy of the needed repairs. Employee is responsible for completing work according to City work rules and safety regulations. Guidance is provided via the City Code, City policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, ensuring that housing code initiatives are met.

Work in support of inspections is performed in City offices. Legal action is initiated by this position with the need for court or hearing testimony presented under oath. Safety equipment such as steel toed shoes, are worn as well as other safety equipment as needed, and inspection equipment such as recorders, computers, tape measures, circuit testers, smoke detector testers, and other equipment is carried by the inspector on inspections. This position requires on call availability during the heating season to respond to emergency calls.

Work is evaluated at least annually with respect to progress toward achieving goals, customer service skills, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization and the general public.
SUPERVISION:
The Code Enforcer work is performed under the direction and comprehensive guidance of the Economic & Community Development Director.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
The position has daily contact with property owners, City employees, tenants, contractors, and elected officials. Employee will work with other departments in the course of inspections which may include Police and Fire Departments. Employee will provide positive customer services to residents of community and landowners in understanding City ordinances, codes and regulations.
Essential Functions

• Obtains permission from owners and tenants to enter dwellings.
• Visually examines all areas to determine compliance with ordinance standards for heating, lighting, ventilating, and plumbing installations.
• Measures dwelling units and rooms to determine compliance with ordinance space requirements, using tape measure.
• Inspects premises for overall cleanliness, adequate disposal of garbage and rubbish and for signs of vermin infestation.
• Prepares notice of violation letters advising property owners and tenants of possible violations and time allowed for correcting deficiencies.
• Reviews case and notice of violation reports and revisits dwellings at periodic intervals adhering to Division policy requirements to verify correction of violations by property owners and tenants.
• Explains requirements of Property Maintenance Codes and City ordinances to property owners, building contractors, and other interested parties.
• Ability and willingness to take legal action on Property Maintenance Code cases when warranted by writing citations and giving testimony in court. Presents legal complaints for prosecution and testifies against landlords, property owners in Administrative Court.
• Works closely with community/neighborhood groups and organizations on a variety of property maintenance issues to include violations and problems.
• Serve as liaison between City and Lake County Health Department.
• Performs other related duties and assignments as needed or required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF WORK:
The physical demands described here are a representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job which includes:

• Ability to lift medium weight objects, open and close building windows and doors, apply pressure to building components as part of inspection.
• Ability to use and operate inspection tools and equipment.
• Ability to work indoors with possible exposure to human, animal and rodent fecal matter; rodents and pests; inadequate ventilation, lack of light, filth and other unsanitary conditions.
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to perform moderate manual work daily including sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and climbing.
• Ability to focus on small and distant objects, recognize depth of objects, stand for long periods of time, work outdoors at night with reduced lighting, talk and hear.
• Ability to use machines, tools, equipment, associated with this type of work but not limited to automobile, flashlight, room thermometer, cellular telephone, code books, tape recorder, personal computer, software, measuring devices, hammer, screw driver, shovel, awl, camera, and electrical devices.
• Hand-eye coordination necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, and reach with hands and arms.
• Employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent (some college education preferredin the areas of; civil technology, and/or construction management). Three years code enforcement experience; or any combination of training and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Considerable knowledge of building construction; International Building and Property Maintenance Codes; general construction principles and practices.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret code books, ordinances, maps, policies, procedures, journals, newspapers, letters, reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to write reports and memos with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
• Ability to speak before an audience with poise, voice control, and confidence, using correct English and well-modulated voice.
• Ability to multi-task variable duties and responsibilities in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to use Microsoft products such as Word and Outlook (for email). A basic understanding of Microsoft Access is a plus. The ability to use computer resources such as the internet and GIS for conducting job related research. Ability and willingness to learn and utilize new proprietary software for inspection purposes and the knowledge of how to use and properly care for lap top computers is a must.
• Ability to follow established timelines and use good judgment when working on a property inspection case file.

Special Licenses & Requirements
Valid driver's license allowing driving in Illinois and a safe driving record.
Must obtain International Code Council (ICC) Certification, for Residential Building Inspector within one (1) year of employment.
* The City will work with applicable candidates throughout the certification and training process to obtain the ICC Code Certification.