CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST

Town of Summerville•Summerville, SC

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs related technical, administrative work in the administration and enforcement of all adopted regulatory codes and ordinances pertaining to nuisances, noise, litter, business licenses, etc. Work involves working with Finance, Police, Zoning, and Building department personnel in the resolution of violations; and performing both field and office work involving the administration and enforcement of Town’s zoning regulations, nuisance ordinances, and the International Property Maintenance Code.

Requirements

Requires an Associate’s degree, supplemented by one to two years of experience in code or law enforcement, planning, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must possess a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Must obtain certification as an International Property Maintenance Code Inspector (IPMC) within initial 12 months of employment.
Must obtain Criminal Justice Information System Security and Privacy Training within first three months of employment.
Methods, procedures, and policies of the Building Department and Code Enforcement operations.
Applicable laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations, including nuisance codes, building codes (structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical), zoning ordinances, and related codes.
Basic building construction principles and materials.
Department terminology, proper English usage, and basic mathematics.
Modern office practices, technology, and computer skills for records management.
Techniques for maintaining effective relationships with other departments, professionals, and the public.
Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Read and interpret blueprints and construction details for code compliance.
Conduct thorough nuisance investigations, identify deficiencies, and determine corrective actions.
Perform fieldwork under adverse conditions (heat/cold, odors, electrical hazards, confined spaces, heights, etc.).
Communicate professionally with Town departments, property/business owners, and industry professionals.
Provide training and assistance to co-workers and other departments.
Manage multiple projects under time constraints and stressful conditions.
Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
Work independently and take initiative without direct supervision.
Learn and apply new skills to improve performance and efficiency.
Prepare accurate reports and records in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

Receives and/or reviews a variety of records and reports (such as citizen complaints, interoffice complaints, notification of illegal business, property maintenance issues, and zoning violations).
Receives, investigates, and responds to all citizen complaints.
Issues citations for dilapidated homes for failure to comply with local and state regulations; follows up after issuance to ensure compliance.
Writes and issues notices of violations based on Town ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code.
Performs property maintenance inspections for health and safety of the residents.
Prepares and/or processes documentation such as letters to demolish dilapidated homes/structures.
Refers to Town code, International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Residential Code (IRC), South Carolina Code of Law, NFPA, policy and procedure manuals, publications and reference texts, etc.
Provides information to public on nuisance and zoning ordinance requirements and compliance; provides information on violations to property owners; achieves compliance by issuing warnings and citations when necessary; and locates owners of property using tax rolls, maps, and court records.
Investigates reports of violations of laws relating to nuisances and zoning (illegal home occupations, illegal second units, dangerous structures, fence violations, illegal signs, graffiti, debris, weeds, inoperable and illegal vehicles, sanitation problems, animal-related noise violations, etc.); monitors sites for compliance; conducts follow-up investigations; and oversees abatement violations.
Collect illegal signage and other debris left on public properties and in rights-of-way.
Processes abatement of abandoned vehicles.
Oversees abatement violations (as noted under nuisance/zoning).
Canvases the Town looking for new businesses engaged in activities that require licensing; conducts field and office research to determine if the Town’s licensing requirements are being met.
Conducts field inspections to determine individual business compliance with Town codes and regulations.
Informs business managers of licensing requirements; explains legal requirements, rules, regulations, procedures, and ordinances of the Town.
Conducts compliance follow-up to ensure licensing requirements have been met.
Plans and performs licensing efforts at special events; demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Documents and maintains records of inspection-related activities.
Keeps field notes; takes photographs; writes letters and notices; prepares detailed written reports and routine correspondence; provides evidence and testimony at Town hearings and in court; maintains investigation files and records; and attends meetings and conferences as assigned.
Prepares and/or processes a variety of documentation (such as written warnings, letters of non-compliance, weekly/monthly reports, and notes for court cases).
Coordinates with and performs joint inspections with other Town departments and outside agencies; may assist Planning staff in updating zoning maps and in investigating permits and various applications.
Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals (such as Building Official, department heads and staff, civic and community leaders, Town judges, Town Administrator, business owners, and the general public).
Attend Crime Watch and community meetings.
Provides assistance to coworkers and/or performs those responsibilities as necessary to maintain standards of operation.
Performs general administrative/office work as required, including conducting and attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, etc.
Operates a vehicle and a variety of equipment and machinery (such as HVAC systems, mechanical systems, electrical panel and wiring, plumbing systems, structural framing, computer, printer, cell phone, etc.).
Uses a variety of tools (such as calculator, electrical tester, screwdrivers, hand tools, pressure gauges, levels, rulers, standard office tools, radio, etc.); a variety of supplies (such as flashlights, citations, warning slips, inspection forms, writing instruments, paper, general office supplies, etc.); and a variety of computer software (such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, GIS, etc.).