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SalaryCentrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.
General Information
The City of Ames has an exciting opportunity for a Housing Inspector to provide support to the Fire Department Inspections Division!
Under supervision, the Housing Inspector performs work of moderate difficulty and complexity in inspecting rental housing structures and in investigating complaints of non-compliant properties and initiating appropriate enforcement action; performs related work as required.
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.
In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Examples of Essential Job Functions: Investigates complaints and makes systematic and routine inspections of dwellings, premises, non-dwelling structures, and vacant lots to determine compliance with the housing, building, zoning and other applicable codes and regulations; inspects and reinspects, as required, public areas, basement areas, interior and exterior buildings, habitable living units and yards, checking for condition, cleanliness, safety devices, vermin and rodent infestation, location, size, type, occupancy, window area, fire hazards, junk and number of off-street parking spaces required; inspects and investigates complaints of improper dumping of garbage, rubbish, junk and other objectionable material as they pertain to rental properties. Consults with owners, managers, and others on violations observed and recommends remedial action; consults with other agencies as necessary for the enforcement of applicable codes and regulations as they may affect housing; issues verbal and written orders for correction of violations; coordinates repairs and alterations with building, electrical and plumbing/mechanical inspectors to assure required permits and inspections have been obtained; gathers evidence of violations; prepares information sheets for the City Attorney as appropriate; serves as witness in court cases; prepares recommendations for all violations that are appealed and makes presentations at the appeal board hearings. Registers dwellings, changes of ownership, issues letters of compliance, schedules inspections, maintains inspection records and prepares reports. Collects information for preparation of budget and schedules for rental units. Checks to locate and determine rental units that are not registered or are illegal conversions.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
Qualifications
- Two years of college and two years of experience in housing inspection, enforcement, construction, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Additional Requirements for Employment:
- Employment in this position prohibits the ownership of rental properties within the city limits of Ames. Should a person own rental property at the time of employment, the employee shall sell or cease rental of their property within twelve months of the first day of employment.
Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Fundamental knowledge of building construction and systems. Good knowledge of codes and regulations pertaining to responsibilities. Working knowledge of computers.
Ability to perform inspection work involving elimination of sub-standard conditions in existing housing. Ability to understand, interpret, and enforce zoning and building codes. Well-informed on structural stability and mechanical equipment related to health and safety. Ability to recognize hazardous conditions and recommend the proper corrective action for their abatement. Ability to build and maintain a positive working relationship with property managers and owners. Ability and sensitivity to deal with property owners and to secure compliance. Ability to write concise narrative reports and give testimony at appeals, hearings and court actions. Working ability to meet with people and to be able to explain the department's purpose and goals. Ability to enforce regulations firmly and impartially and to maintain good relations with the general public, various trades, property owners, and tenants. Ability to make decisions recognizing established practices and policies and to exercise a degree of independent judgment while conducting activities. Ability to learn concepts related to building, electrical and plumbing/mechanical inspections. Ability to type and enter data accurately.
Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.
Supplemental Information
Physical and Environmental Requirements:
Required Physical Activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, and manual dexterity.
Physical Characteristics of Work: Light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Requires frequent walking and standing.
Vision Requirements: The minimum for those whose work deals largely with visual inspection, use of a computer terminal, reading, and the use of measurement devices (i.e. tape measure).
Environmental Conditions: The worker is subject to both inside and outside working conditions, noise, hazards, atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system.
Residency Requirement:
The required residence area is the area bordered by the Boone and Story County lines on the north and south, State Highway 65 on the east; and on the west, County Road R27 north of Boone, and the Des Moines River south of Highway 30 to the Boone County line. Communities intersected by the borderlines, and Zearing, shall be considered within the area. The permitted residency area is that area inside the borderlines. The area adjacent to but outside the borderlines is not included. After completing his/her probationary period, a new employee shall, within three (3) months, reside within the residency area. The department head may allow an employee up to an additional three (3) months if the employee provides documentation of financial commitment to move within the residence area.
Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience; phone interview; hiring assessment; on-site interview, completion of reference checks, motor vehicle and criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check and pre-employment physical. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.
Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.
NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.
The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.
E-Verify Process:
The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.
Veteran’s Preference Points:
The City of Ames provides Veteran's Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5297) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran's Preference Points.
