Code Enforcement Officer 1

Code Enforcement Officer

Classification Title: Code Enforcement Officer 1

Location: 631 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Schedule: Monday - Friday

This is a complaint driven, as well as proactive investigative position. Code Enforcement officers enforce codes and ordinances dealing with violations which include, but are not limited to, minimum housing standards, inoperative vehicles, prohibited vehicles, trash accumulation, lot clearing, zoning violations, noise violations, and signage violations. The Code Enforcement Officer must possess the ability to work independently, be self-motivated, thorough and accurate in reporting. Duties also include issuance of notices of violation, citations, and case preparation and court presentation. The incumbent reports to a supervisor.

Code Enforcement is important for the health and safety of all residents and helps maintain quality standards that are important to achieve the highest property values possible. Code Enforcement strives to achieve voluntary compliance if a violation exists. In many cases issues may arise when a resident faces unexpected hardships such as illness or unemployment. Be neighborly – check first to see if you may be able to help.

Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Comprehensive medical coverage at a low cost:

2024 Medical Plan Premiums

Choose from two medical plans which offer the same low premiums and include medical care, prescription coverage, behavioral/mental health and vision care.

Coverage

Biweekly Cost

Employee Only

$13.09

Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner

$151.16

Employee and Child(ren)

$120.60

Family

$247.67

• Benefits package includes health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, disability, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Florida Retirement System (FRS): Choose the Investment Plan or Pension Plan
• Generous leave time including 9 to 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 2 personal days (pro-rated), and 15 days of annual leave the first year
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,800 per year
• Wellness Program including a Wellness Center, gym discounts, and classes.
• Deferred compensation plans from four providers
• To learn more, see What We Offer

Essential Job Functions

The role of the Code Enforcement Officer will include response to complaints received, as well as self-initiated ability to initiate investigations of the various codes. The incumbent shall:

• Utilize training to investigate and enforce codes and ordinances dealing with the natural and urban jurisdiction of unincorporated Pinellas County.
• Possess the ability to conduct thorough inspections, document accurate notes, utilize a digital camera, and effectively record activities utilizing   computer software. This includes use of technology in the field utilizing a mobile office.
• Research property for ownership or changes in ownership, so as to facilitate accurate notification of violations observed.
• Analyze structural and related components of existing dwellings.
• Investigate potentially illegal noise sources through the use of noise monitoring equipment.
• Enforce zoning regulations, identifies regulations violated, notifies owners and verifies compliance or non-compliance.
• Enforce lot clearing ordinances, locate overgrown or debris-ridden lots, estimate amount of trash, and calculate square footage to be mowed; document findings and coordinate with owners or private contractors hired by the county to clear land.
• Investigate illegal dumping and the accumulation of trash, used materials, abandoned or inoperative vehicles and discarded appliances.
• Identify and remove prohibited signs. Conduct sign measurement calculations to determine compliance.
• Organize and maintain case load through utilization of a Case Tracking Sheet.
• Prepare and serve citations for fines, prepare cases for Special Magistrate and testify before the county court.
• Maintain a safe driving record and obey all traffic regulations while in travel, or parking.
• Represent Pinellas County in a professional manner. Maintain level of understanding of concerns of citizens, and effectively deal with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving violations.
• Additional duties may be assigned and not included in the above listing.

Position Specific Requirements

Experience - regulatory compliance and enforcement, law enforcement, or a related field.

Education - course work in law enforcement, criminal justice, natural sciences, public administration, or a related field.

• 5 years of experience as described above; or
• Associate degree as described above and 3 years of experience as described above; or
• Bachelor’s degree as described above and 1 year of experience as described above.
• Master’s degree and some experience as described above.

• Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Driver's License.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Highly Desirable

• Fundamentals of Code Enforcement (formerly Level I) certification from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to apply computer applications and software.
• Ability to acquire working knowledge of related codes, ordinances and procedures.
• Ability to conduct field inspections, determine facts through investigation and read legal descriptions, maps and construction drawings.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with the general public and enforce regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.

Physical/Mental Demands

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of fource to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recordings on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.