Business License Inspector

City of Columbia•Columbia, SC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This position enforces the City’s business license ordinance and to collect and account for related fees and fines; inspects new and existing businesses to ensure they are operating with the up-to-date City business license; performs related technical and clerical work as assigned. The incumbent works according to set procedures under close supervision. The work is considered sedentary and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Two (2) years of relevant prior experience
Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License
Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages
Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment
Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment
Ability to perform semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems
Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems
Ability to compose routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format
Ability to speak compound sentences using normal grammar and word form
Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency
Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product

Responsibilities

Enforces the business license ordinance for the City of Columbia
Inspects new and existing businesses to ensure they are operating with up-to-date City business licenses
Provides information and assistance to businesses as required to facilitate compliance with the City’s business license ordinance
Collects new and renewing business license fees in the field and in the office
Provides receipts and posts payments to appropriate accounts
Contacts persons / businesses with delinquent accounts to discuss payment options
Assesses and applies penalties for non-payment
Processes lock box payments
Assists in greeting and assisting customers, providing professional, courteous customer service at all times
Interprets and explains the ordinances to business owners as it pertains to their business
Maintains accurate and complete records
Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, etc.
Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility
Attends court proceedings and testifies in court to represent the City to prosecute cases for various court summons
Patrols the city and conducts field inspections to identify business licensing code violators
Investigates public complaints regarding alleged violations
Attends meetings, workshops, conferences, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills
Performs other related duties as assigned