Code Inspector C (DSD Employees Only)

$28 - $34/Yr

City of Austin, TX - Austin, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Austin, TX

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

About the position

The Development Services Department (DSD) assists homeowners, business owners, and contractors when they build, demolish, remodel or perform any type of construction to ensure compliance with applicable city and building codes. DSD is seeking a Code Inspector C for the Repeat Offender Program. Code Inspector Cs are responsible for performing fieldwork in inspecting, investigating, and enforcing code violations on properties within the City's jurisdiction to help improve awareness and compliance with laws, codes, and ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Performing assigned case inspections and investigations in accordance with applicable established department standard operating procedures.
• Evaluating validity and severity of reported property code violations by conducting interviews with tenants/occupants, neighbors, contractors, workers, and property owners.
• Maintaining open and responsive communications by responding to calls and emails within two business days.
• Attending special meetings, which may include presenting/providing information related to code enforcement.
• Recommending strategies designed to help improve communications between DSD Code Compliance and community-based stakeholders, and the overall success of department initiatives.
• Determines if violations are present at the reported properties, and enforces residential, commercial, and multifamily complex nuisance complaints.
• Enforces moderate to complex substandard housing complaints and zoning complaints.
• Advises Code Inspectors through all phases of case management and field inspections.
• Conducts investigations on reported property code violations, which includes interviews with tenants/occupants, neighbors, contractors, workers, or property owners, to evaluate validity.
• Performs research of reported property to determine property ownership, current occupants, and extent of violations.
• Refers code violations to appropriate departments or agencies, and evaluates research findings to determine appropriate enforcement action.
• Coordinates the improvement or remedy of the violations with the property owners, violators, and/or other City departments.
• Coordinates with the notification of property owners or violators as required by code, regulation, or State statute for any action taken.
• Documents all actions, complying with all City standards, taken from initial investigation through the attainment of compliance, abatement, or judicial/administrative referral.
• Prepares complete cases for administrative, quasi-judicial, and judicial enforcement, which may include providing witness testimony.
• Complies with all applicable security and safety rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to vehicles and personal safety.
• Responds to inquiries regarding registered complaints and results.
• Performs post-disaster assessment of debris volume for collection services.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of experience in code enforcement, code administration, building inspections, building construction, planning or other regulatory or law enforcement capacity enforcing and interpreting codes and regulations, including two (2) years of case management experience.
• Graduation with an Associate degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Environmental, Engineering, Urban Planning, Criminal Justice, Building Science, Construction Management, or in a related field may substitute for experience in code enforcement or building construction trade up to two (2) years.
• Valid Texas driver license within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Criminal background check is required.
• Registered as a Code Enforcement Officer with the State of Texas within one (1) year of employment.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to manage cases and perform assigned inspections/investigations following productivity standards.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and assist in the management of complex and high-profile cases per department policies and procedures.
• Experience in working escalated cases that have exceeded department timelines.
• Experience preparing and forwarding non-compliant case files for legal action, per required enforcement standards.
• Experience providing clear, concise, timely, accurate, and complete documentation based on factual evidence following department policies and procedures.
• Experience in collaborating with outside agencies and other City departments to leverage resources and improve code-related service delivery.
• Experience developing information and educational materials (brochures, flyers, posters, FAQs, pamphlets, etc.) to promote the community benefits of Code programs, and keep community members informed and educated about DSD Code Compliance services.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling