Description

Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas invites applications for Code Enforcement Officer I. This position performs field inspections of occupied and unoccupied properties to ensure compliance with applicable zoning, housing and nuisance codes and ordinances; resolves complaints; and performs various related technical duties.

The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligible list for current and/or future openings which may include part-time or full-time positions.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Code Enforcement Officer I – This is the entry-level class in the Code Enforcement Officer series.  This class is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including conducting routine field surveys. This class may contain positions wherein employees perform routine tasks on a permanent basis, and therefore remain at an entry level performing work primarily in the areas of nuisance, zoning, and non-permitted structures.

Code Enforcement Officer II – This is the full journey level class within the Code Enforcement Officer series.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, including conducting comprehensive investigations and inspections, issuing citations and advising property owners.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the I level, or when filled from the outside, selected candidates have the necessary prior experience in housing codes, nuisance, zoning, building, including dangerous building, code enforcement. Unlike the level I class, these positions will additionally work on housing code enforcement and thus require either the Housing and Property Maintenance Certification or Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification.

Supervision Received

Code Enforcement Officer I

Receives immediate supervision from Code Enforcement Supervisor and higher level management staff.  May take day to day direction from Code Enforcement Officer II.
 
Code Enforcement Officer II

Receives general supervision from Code Enforcement Supervisor and higher level management staff. 

Ideal Candidate

Fluency in Spanish is desirable.  

EXAMINATION PROCESS:

A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a city position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list, and must be worked on individually by the applicant only. The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST: You must score 70% or higher on the examination to be placed on the eligible list.

SELECTION PROCESS:  Final candidate selection will include list placement and may include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, complete background check, and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the physical requirements of the job. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential Functions:

Inspects single family and multi-family homes, rental units, apartment buildings, commercial properties and vacant lots to determine compliance with current applicable zoning, housing, and nuisance codes, ordinances and regulations.
Responds to and investigates alleged violations as well as unreported hazards; interviews complainant and witnesses; collects evidence and documents violations; conducts follow-up inspections and issues notices of violation as necessary.  Performs all required actions for accurate and complete case management.
Performs annual planning and zoning inspections to determine if approved use and conditional uses of property are in compliance.  Reviews site plans and special use permit requirements to verify compliance.  Performs all needed research and enforcement to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances.
Communicates all applicable code information, notifications and appeal processes in verbal and written form to all parties, tenants, owners, contractors and other agency representatives.
Conducts research to determine the approved conditional uses of property; researches ownership, compliance requirements, fees, legal process and other state, federal and local requirements necessary to enforce city codes.
Issue misdemeanor citations or infractions to offenders, appear in court, give legal depositions, provide witness information, prepare administrative search warrants, prepare summons and complaint affidavits as required by City Attorney.
Responds to complaints, and inspects property for abandoned and inoperable vehicles.
Coordinates with other city departments and county agencies to address violations that require abatement, enforcement or penalties for non-compliance.
Maintains detailed, accurate and complete records, case files and reports of inspections and surveillance activities; performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work.
Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
Prepares case reports for court or administrative proceedings; testifies in court and at administrative proceedings as necessary.
Operates and secures assigned vehicles and other assigned equipment; determines whether vehicle is in good working order; maintains vehicles in clean and fueled condition.

Marginal Functions:

Participates in special community events. Makes presentations to the public about zoning and nuisance codes and ordinances and related city resources.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I
Experience:

One (1) year of work experience which required the frequent interpretation, explanation or enforcement of varied codes and regulations such as building, housing, zoning, nuisance, or other enforcement work such as business licensing, animal control or parking, including one (1) year of experience with frequent heavy public contact in stressful or confrontational situations.

Training:

Equivalent to graduation from high school.  

License or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Possession of a Zoning Enforcement Officer certification, issued by the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE), or Zoning Inspector certification, issued by the International Code Council (ICC), within six (6) months of the date of appointment, and maintenance thereafter.

                                               CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER II

Experience:

Four (4) years of work experience which required the frequent interpretation, explanation or enforcement of varied codes and regulations related to building, housing, zoning, and nuisance, including one (1) year of experience with frequent heavy public contact in stressful or confrontational situations.

Training:

Equivalent to graduation from high school. 

Additional specialized training in building codes and zoning regulations is desirable.

License or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Possession of a Zoning Enforcement Officer certification, issued by the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE), or Zoning Inspector certification, issued by the International Code Council (ICC), on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Possession of a Housing and Property Maintenance certification, issued by the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE), or Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification, issued by the International Code Council (ICC), at date of application, and maintenance thereafter. 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

Applicable city, state and federal codes, ordinances and regulations related to zoning, nuisance requirements and International Code Council (ICC) Housing and Property Maintenance Codes.
Basic understanding of principles and techniques of inspection.
Operational characteristics, services and activities of a code enforcement program.
Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
Basic construction methods used in building and related structures.

Skills in:

Learning Hansen or other computer applications and operating equipment relative to area of assignment.
Learning to interpret and enforce applicable city, state and federal codes, ordinances and regulations related to zoning, nuisance, housing code and property maintenance issues.
Learning to enforce proper zoning, nuisance, health and safety requirements.
Working with diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Operating modern day office equipment, including computers.
Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Establishing and meeting critical deadlines, compiling and collecting data, establishing priorities, organizing workload, and conducting necessary follow-up activities with minimal supervision.