Code Enforcement Investigator I- Department of Housing & Community Development

Baltimore City•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

A Code Enforcement Investigator I investigates alleged violations of environmental and housing code regulations and laws and participates in identifying violators and planning their apprehension, indictment and conviction. Work of this class involves no supervisory duties or responsibilities. Incumbents receive moderate supervision from a technical supervisor. Employees in this class work a conventional workweek that may include evenings, weekends and holidays. The employees work in an office and on site of violations where such conditions as seasonal weather extremes, hazardous waste, and hostile confrontations may be encountered. Work involves moderate physical exertion involving long periods of stooping, standing, climbing and jumping.

Requirements

Have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certification from an accredited institution.
Have two years of experience investigating environmental, housing or other code violations, conducting environmental health or related code inspections, enforcing ordinances, regulations and public laws, or in monitoring and enforcing compliance with program requirements.
Each additional year of education at an accredited college or university may substitute for six months of the experience requirement.
Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or an equivalent driver's license and eligible to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit.
Knowledge of investigative methods, techniques, practices and procedures.
Knowledge of environmental hazards and housing code violations.
Knowledge of environmental and housing codes and regulations.
Skill in conducting investigative interviews and eliciting cooperation of individuals and businesses.
Skill in investigative methods.
Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply environmental regulations and housing codes.
Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply rules, regulations and policies relevant to criminal and civil investigations.
Ability to utilize sound judgement and remain calm under stressful situations.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, governmental employees and officials and enforcement officers.
Ability to deal effectively with the general public.
Ability to observe and identify objects and activities that serve as evidence of an environmental or housing code crime or violation.
Ability to testify as an expert witness in court and defend findings.
Ability to prepare narrative reports explaining investigative activity and findings and justifying persecution of a case.
Ability to utilize photographic equipment to photograph and document criminal evidence.
Ability to utilize personal safety clothing and apparatus including respirators, batons and handcuffs.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sources and records.
Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointments to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed.
All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory six-month probation.
Incumbents must be eligible to obtain a Certificate of Appointment as a Special Enforcement Officer by the Police Commissioner of the City of Baltimore prior to hire.
Revocation of the Certificate of Appointment by the Police Commissioner is grounds for dismissal.
Certificate of Appointment as a Special Enforcement Officer requires the applicant to: Ø Be 21 years of age: and Ø Satisfactorily pass a fingerprint and background investigation conducted by the Baltimore City Police Department.
Those eligibles who are under final consideration for appointments to positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.
Employees must participate in, and successfully complete on-going skill development training related to investigation and enforcement of environmental laws and ordinances.