Field Investigator - Contractor Licensing

Hernando County, Florida BOCC • Brooksville, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Technical work in the enforcement of the County's Contractor Certification Law. This role involves enforcing state statutes and county codes related to construction, checking construction sites for proper licensing, and investigating residential areas for unlicensed contractors or permits. The position requires educating the public on regulations, stopping work by unlicensed contractors, investigating consumer complaints, and preparing cases for prosecution. The Field Investigator will also appear as a witness in legal proceedings, conduct interviews, prepare evidence, and maintain violation files. Additionally, the role involves auditing advertising media, liaising with law enforcement, coordinating "sting" operations, and training new personnel. The position also includes investigating unsafe buildings, coordinating inspections, mediating resolutions, initiating abatement programs, and coordinating with utility companies and demolition contractors. Employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall for emergency response operations.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED), and 60 college credit hours in building construction, law enforcement, or equivalent combination of training and job experience.
• Three (3) years experience in building construction, investigatory work, or code enforcement.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to operate a computer, tablet, smart phone and other general office equipment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and be insurable by current insurance carrier, or valid Florida Identification Card is acceptable only for positions not required to drive a county vehicle.
• Knowledge of investigatory techniques and procedures as applied to construction licensing law.
• Knowledge of possible flaws and defects in building construction and alteration.
• Ability to explain, interpret and enforce codes and regulations.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to research legal records.
• Ability to interact with public.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as a standard building inspector or one- and two-family dwelling inspector, or ability to obtain provisional inspector certification and/or law enforcement certification.
• Must have or be able to obtain certification within three (3) months of employment in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses: IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) IS-200.b: ICS for Single Resources & Initial Action Incidents IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Responsibilities

• Enforces state statutes and county codes related to construction.
• Checks new construction sites to ascertain if construction personnel are properly licensed.
• Checks residential areas for home improvement contractors operating without a license or permits.
• Routinely attends local community meetings to provide education and information on licensing and other pertinent regulations.
• Stops construction work wherein unlicensed or uninsured contractors are identified.
• Investigates complaints of consumers against licensed and unlicensed contractors.
• Writes violation notices, citations, investigative reports, hearing notices, and other documents as necessary.
• Conducts investigations of violations and files for prosecution with the State or County Attorney’s Office.
• Appears as witness in civil and criminal litigation proceedings, and at licensing board hearings and special master hearings.
• Conducts investigative interviews and acquires formal statements.
• Prepares evidence against licensed and unlicensed contractors for presentation at licensing board meetings, civil and criminal court.
• Prepares written reports as required.
• Notifies individuals who are in violation, explains law and attempts to achieve compliance.
• Prepares and sends correspondence for all violations when unable to resolve or achieve compliance using verbal communications.
• Issues citations as necessary for egregious violations.
• Maintains violation file until resolution achieved.
• Stores and maintains computer photos where appropriate.
• Audits all advertising media for compliance with State and County laws.
• Performs liaison duties with local and state law enforcement agencies and investigators.
• Co-ordinates and participates in joint contractor “sting” operations with local law enforcement and state agencies.
• Assists other governmental enforcement agencies with information related to criminal activity of licensed and unlicensed contractors and files necessary reports.
• Provides new department personnel training in investigative techniques, computer system program for violations, Florida Statutes and local ordinance.
• Performs other reasonable related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or other management personnel.
• Investigates service requests related to unsafe buildings.
• Requests formal right of entry from building owners.
• Obtains and executes inspection warrants as necessary.
• Performs preliminary inspections of unsafe buildings.
• Coordinates and documents by digital and/or video camera formal inspections of unsafe buildings with building inspection personnel.
• Mediates resolution of unsafe conditions contained by buildings, with respective owners.
• Initiates formal abatement (condemnation) program and performs necessary follow-thru with procedure to conclusion (abatement of unsafe conditions).
• Ensures all deadlines are complied with and/or met relative to unsafe building abatement procedure.
• Coordinates with utility companies/agencies for proper shut-off/abandonment of applicable utilities to unsafe buildings.
• Coordinates with demolition contractors for removal and disposal of building and associated debris.
• Tracks and documents all costs associated with abatement of unsafe conditions.
• Ensures proper removal of unsafe buildings and/or closure of unsafe building service requests.
• Assists with maintaining unsafe building service request log.
• Assists in preparation of information for filing of liens to collect costs.
• Reports for work during a state of emergency and is subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations.

Benefits

• VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED