SUMMARY

Code Enforcement Officers perform a variety of office and fieldwork related to inspection and investigations to ensure compliance with City and State codes and regulations; and provide information on City regulations to homeowners, business and community groups to enhance and preserve the quality of neighborhoods and businesses.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Conducts field investigations and property inspections to uncover violations of nuisance, zoning, junk and debris, abandoned/inoperative vehicles, housing and related ordinances.
• Issues infraction/misdemeanor citations for violations of City and State Codes relating to nuisance, outdoor display, zoning, junk and debris, housing deficiencies, and rental properties.
• Inspect boardwalk and other properties in the City for compliance with outdoor display permits, signage, and parking ordinances.
• Inspect rental properties in the City for compliance with the City rental ordinances
• Performs investigations for possible violations; photographs evidence; contacts responsible persons, landlords or tenants and performs follow-up investigations to ensure that remedial action has been taken; develops and maintains accurate case files.
• Responds to public inquiries and public nuisance complaints and answers questions related to City code enforcement activities by researching, interpreting and explaining policies and regulations; analyzes, recommends and communicates appropriate solutions to problems; addresses customer complaints and schedules site visits.
• Deals effectively, courteously and productively with customers.
• Works closely with homeowners, landlords, tenants, businesses and community groups to grow strong neighborhoods through public relations, education and code enforcement activities.
• Coordinates inspections and dispositions of cases with various City departments.
• Maintains integrity of work by taking responsibility and accountability for completion of work, customer interactions, and by maintaining punctuality and attendance at work.
• Be willing to serve the residents of the Town of Ocean City as a loyal and trusted Public Servant. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Basic principles and practices used in the enforcement of a variety of laws, ordinances, and codes.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices used in the enforcement of a variety of laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Principles and methods of investigation.
• Basic terminology used in zoning, housing, fire codes, landlord/tenant law, and inspection warrants.
• Regulations and requirements for record keeping, report writing and court evidence documentation.
• Windows based applications including word processing.
• Discovering property ownership and zoning background.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills to:

• Research, interpret, explain, and apply applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations related to zoning, nuisance abatement, and health and safety issues.
• Inspect, identify violations and enforce applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, outside agencies and the general public.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and discretion within established guidelines.
• Organize and set priorities; tactfully and effectively enforce applicable laws and regulations, including resolving conflicts and problems.

Ability to:

• Read maps and learn the city's geography; develop and accurately maintain a variety of work records and documents including complete case files, logs, reports, and memoranda.
• Operate computers and variety of software and database applications, work independently in the absence of supervision.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED), preferably in the vocational arts with, or supplemented by, courses in blueprint reading and four years of experience of planning, zoning, or building plans review work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have demonstrated experience with office computer systems and software programs,
typing and data entry skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as the City Code – Chapter 110 Zoning as well as technical journals, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from citizens, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from board and commission members, customers and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must be able to testify in quasi-judicial and judicial hearing and trials.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Maryland driver's license.
• International Code Council (ICC) Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector 64 Certification (must obtain within six (6) month of hire).
• International Code Council (ICC) Zoning Inspector 75 Certification (must obtain within six (6) month of hire).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Required to lift weights up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.