Job Description

The purpose of this classification is to conduct investigations regarding zoning code violations and to enforce local zoning codes and ordinances.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to complaints of Consolidated Government zoning code violations and investigates possible infractions: conducts site visits to determine validity of complaints or to enforce codes; collects, evaluates, records, and preserves evidence; interviews witnesses and gathers information; and takes and files photographs to document violations.
• Determines compliance or non-compliance with codes: meets with property owners to discuss violations; issues code compliance notices and official correction notices; issues citations/summonses to violators; serve citations via certified mail or in person; and performs follow-up site inspections as needed.
• Interprets and enforces the provisions of applicable zoning codes, specifications, and standards: provides information and technical assistance concerning code requirements; discusses problem areas with property owners, residents, and contractors; makes suggestions and recommends solutions to problems; responds to questions concerning code violations; and conducts research as needed.
• Maintains records of enforcement activities: enters data regarding work activities and violations into computer system; maintains comprehensive case files; and conducts records maintenance activities in compliance with guidelines governing record retention.
• Performs various tasks involving court related proceedings: prepares related documents and reports to assist in building and documenting case information; interviews witnesses; prepares evidence for court cases; and testifies in court as needed.
• Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and standards: maintains an awareness of code enforcement methods, practices, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations, and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

Required minimum qualifications:

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Zoning, Planning or related field of study and three (3) years or more of work experience to include at least two (2) years of code enforcement investigation/inspection work at a level comparable to a Code Enforcement Officer with Augusta-Richmond County.

OR

Associate’s degree in Zoning, Planning or related field of study and five (5) years or more of work experience to include at least two (2) years of code enforcement investigation/inspection work at a level comparable to a Code Enforcement Officer with Augusta-Richmond County.

OR

High School Diploma/G.E.D. and seven (7) years or more of related experience to include at least three (3) years of code enforcement investigation/inspection work at a level comparable to a Code Enforcement Officer with Augusta-Richmond County.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of municipal codes and ordinances, including zoning, property maintenance, and related regulatory frameworks, as well as an understanding of legal processes and construction practices.
• Strong investigative and analytical skills, including the ability to research property ownership, interpret maps, charts, and GIS data, and navigate computerized databases.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, permitting systems, case management software, and standard office equipment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information and present at public meetings or hearings.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain complex codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures with accuracy and consistency.
• Skilled in identifying code violations and assessing compliance through observation, analysis, and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to enforce codes, ordinances, and regulations impartially, consistently, and efficiently.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to respond to inquiries, complaints, and service requests in a professional and tactful manner.
• Ability to de-escalate and manage potentially confrontational situations using appropriate conflict resolution techniques while maintaining personal safety.
• Professional demeanor with the ability to effectively engage the public and foster cooperation to achieve compliance.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to research, compile, and analyze data.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and detailed documentation, reports, and correspondence.
• Capacity to maintain organized records, logs, and files in accordance with departmental standards.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and assignments.
• Ability to travel regularly between office and field locations to perform duties.

Licensing/Certification:

• International Property Maintenance Code, International Residential Code, or any other ICC related certification required.
• Possession of a valid drivers license with good driving history. If State license is other than Georgia or South Carolina, the applicant must obtain a license in Georgia or South Carolina within 30 days of employment.

other:

• This position requires staff call up in an emergency situation.
• This position requires more than 50% travel from office to other locations.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

• Data Utilization Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships..
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.
• Equipment: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
• Math: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
• Physical Abilities: Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
• Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
• Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, or rude/irate customers.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.