Code Enforcement Officer

Definition This position performs a wide variety of duties involved in the investigation of potential violations and the enforcement of municipal codes, ordinances, and regulations. This position performs office and field work involving the inspection, investigation, and enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances pertaining to nuisances, building & zoning, constructions, parking, and related quality-of-life and public safety issues. This position also provides customer service to residents, businesses, and other complainants in resolving concerns and civil complaints. The Village President, Village Board, or other management may assign special designations, as needed, pertaining to their normal course of business, provided that the special designations are within the scope of the Code Enforcement Officer position.

Full Time/Part Time:

Part-Time - Average 15-19 hours per week. Maximum 882 hours per year.

Wage:

$17.00 per hour. Overtime applicable after 40 hours worked in a seven day period.

Reports To :

Village President, Village Board or other assigned department head or manager.

Benefits Included :

Under the Paid Leave for All Act, as of January 1, 2024, this position is eligible to accrue one (1) hour of PTO for every forty (40) hours worked up to a maximum of forty (40) hours per year. 14 part-time paid Holiday hours (4hrs) not to exceed the average 15-19 hours per week. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general supervision from the Village President, Village Board or other assigned department head or management, but this position is expected to function independent of ongoing supervision. This position does not exercise supervision over any other staff. Working Conditions - Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment Ability to work in a standard office environment as well as out in the field in an inspection site environment. Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking, climbing, kneeling and stooping for prolonged periods of time.

Mobility:

requires the ability to exert a minimal amount of physical effort in order to lift, carry and move files, documents and other items in an office environment and exert/perform moderate to strenuous levels of physical effort for extended periods of time in an inspection environment, frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.

Lifting:

Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds on occasion.

Vision:

Constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth perception.

Dexterity:

Frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching.

Hearing/Talking:

Frequent hearing and talking in person and on the phone or radio.

Emotional/Psychological:

Frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; frequent working independently

Environmental:

Frequent exposure to noise and dust; occasional exposure to fumes, chemicals and heavy equipment; work at heights; inspecting in confined areas; field work performed in various weather conditions.

Qualifications Knowledge Of:

• Basic codes, ordinances, laws and regulations pertaining to building and zoning compliance, including sections of Illinois penal codes, vehicle codes, and health & safety codes.
• Investigative practices and principles.
• Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Modern office procedures and methods, including computers and other technology.
• Effective oral and written communication methods.
• Proficient computer skills and Microsoft Office Suite of programs.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Occupational Hazard and standard safety procedures.

Skill To:

• Read, analyze, interpret, and explain general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the Village President, Village Board, and the general public.
• Work with general mathematical concepts and principles such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and measurements. Ability to apply concepts such as percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of codes, laws, ordinances, regulations and other information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Correctly prioritize cases and exercise sound judgement.

Ability To:

• Learn, interpret, and apply principles, practices, methods, and techniques of code violations investigation and enforcement.
• Learn to interpret and apply Village and state codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to code abatement.
• Learn to interpret and apply State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Learn court procedures, including, but not limited to, citation issuance, obtaining various types of inspection warrants and court documents, rules of evidence and testifying in court or public hearings.
• Understand legal descriptions and boundary maps of real property.
• Maintain and update records, logs, and reports per the standards set by the Village of Ashton Records Retention Application.
• Operate photography and videography equipment under various conditions.
• Develop policies and procedures related to code enforcement and serve on the Ordinance Committee
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows for the effective interaction and communication with others.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: o Walking, standing, sitting, climbing or stooping for extended periods of time. o Operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: o Making observations o Communicating with others o Reading and writing o Operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Work independently in the completion of assignments.
• Analyze and evaluate data.
• Effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Understand, learn, and utilize computer hardware/software in daily activities.
• Obtain citation authority during the time covered by the probationary period and maintain such authority throughout employment in the position. Licenses, Certifications, and Experience
• Ability to show proof ofPossession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Illinois Driver's License by start of employment.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience working with the general public and interpretation of rules, laws, and procedures.

Some code inspection and enforcement experience related to municipal and/or construction activity is highly desirable. Job Duties The following duties are typical for this position. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Investigate complaints of violation of Town and State codes, ordinances, regulations (including building and zoning codes); photograph or video record evidence of violation; issue letters to property owners notifying them of violation; conduct follow-up investigations to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; develop and maintain accurate case files.
• Respond in writing, by phone, and in person with Village residents, businesses and others regarding complaints and follow-up activities taken to resolve issues.
• Prepare abatement cases; prepare notices and required correspondence and documents; follow up to ensure compliance with Village and State requirements.
• Participate in the preparation of documentation for submission to the Village Attorney to file complaints for non-compliance; testify in court or public hearings as necessary on behalf of the Village.
• Provide information to violators, the general public, business community and other government agencies regarding Village and State codes, laws, and ordinances; respond to questions, complaints and inquiries.
• Maintain files and records related to citations and violations; prepare a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Confer and coordinate with other agencies and Village departments, including Building & Zoning, Public Works/Utilities, Police, Administration, and the Volunteer Fire Department, on the investigation and disposition of nuisance, zoning, pest infestation, noise, smoke, vehicle, litter, and related violations.
• Participate in and provide advice and guidance on the development of new codes or revisions to existing codes related to enforcement of violations of the Municipal Code. Be an active member of the Ordinance Committee.
• Input and retrieve a variety of information using a computer terminal, tablet, or other electronic device.
• Coordinate with other public and private agencies to abate public nuisances.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Pay:

$17.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person