Housing/Property Maintenance Inspector I

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs administrative and technical work in the enforcement of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, the National Fire Prevention Association requirements, City ordinances, and other related codes concerning residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Work involves conducting inspections, condemning unsafe and uninhabitable properties, performing research to determine property ownership and responding to inquiries and complaints from the general public. Employee is also responsible for maintaining various records associated with inspection cases. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors and the general public. Reports to the Housing/Property Maintenance Official. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Additional college-level coursework in building construction or 1–3 years of experience in building construction, property management, building inspection, or maintenance of residential or commercial properties; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Requires Certification in International Code Council of Virginia (ICC/VA) as a Certified Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector and Virginia Certified Building Maintenance Inspector within 18 months of hire date.
Requires a valid driver's license.
Knowledge of modern housing construction practices, materials, and equipment and of the various stages of construction when violations and defects should be observed and corrected.
Knowledge of the regulations and provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code.
Knowledge of local and State housing codes and laws, including rules and regulations of the Rental Occupancy Program.
Knowledge of Section 8 and Public Housing Quality Standards as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of housing inspection and code enforcement.
Knowledge of the geographic layout of the City.
Has general knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications accurately and make comparisons with construction in progress.
Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
Ability to read a variety of reports, correspondents and forms, etc.
Requires the ability to prepare correspondence and reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.
Ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instruction furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to use and interpret housing codes, mechanical and electrical terminology and language used within the department.
Ability to inspect items for proper length and width.
Must be able to use basic mathematical formulas; to add, subtract, multiply, and divide to establish occupancy loads of a structure.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.

Responsibilities

Enforces the Statewide Building Codes, International Property Maintenance Code, International Residential Code and Fire Prevention Code of the City of Suffolk by inspecting the interior and exterior of buildings (commercial, residential and industrial) for structure defects and checking the safety and adequacy of buildings.
Enforces the Inoperable Vehicle Code, Grass and Weeds Code, Care of Premise Code, Graffiti Code, Nuisance Ordinance, and Rental Occupancy Program by surveying, inspecting and investigating complaints and reviewing permit request for occupancy requirements.
Maintains administrative duties by preparing notices of code violations, forms and letters advising owners and tenants of violations and time requirements, preparing and maintaining inspection and related reports, ascertaining and verifying the correction of violations, and explaining the requirements of property maintenance standards and ordinances to property owners, building contractors and other interested parties.
Keeps daily log of inspection results and enters results into Cityworks pc system and mobile based computer.
Prepares certified mail for postage and delivery to post office.
Performs related duties by collecting and preparing evidence for court, scheduling hearing dates, issuing summons, attending pre-court hearings, acting as court monitor, testifying in court, documenting and reporting the results of hearings, and attending training.
Performs public services by representing the department at civic league meetings, interdepartmental meetings and other forums to promote and explain objectives, referring issues to appropriate bureau, department or agencies.
Receives and reviews complaints concerning allegations of inadequate housing conditions and/or unsafe buildings or structures, and performs inspections, as necessary.
Maintains City vehicles.
Purges and stores weekly, monthly, and annual data as related to property maintenance and existing structures.
Secures office supplies from distributors and vendors.
Performs other related duties as required.