Description:
Under the supervision of the Township Building Official, performs rental housing inspections and conducts on-site inspections throughout the Township to determine compliance with state/local codes, ordinances and standards pertaining to health, welfare and safety. Investigates potential violations and complaints of Township ordinances, follows established procedures for achieving abatement and compliance. Investigates cases and maintains related records. Assists in achieving both voluntary and involuntary compliance of code violations. Prepares civil infraction tickets and represents the Township in court.
Duties:
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
- Travels to sites and inspects housing units to ensure health, safety and fire standards are met in compliance with all applicable rules, ordinances, and codes. Seeks voluntary compliance if irregularities are found and issues instructions for correction.
- Responds to complaints of property maintenance code violations including blight, garbage, refuse, weeds, grass, signage, zoning and other applicable ordinances.
- Conducts on-site inspections of properties to determine conformity with applicable codes and ordinances.
- Explains, interprets and provides guidance regarding all applicable codes and ordinances to property owners, landlords, tenants, and the public. Provides assistance, responds to requests, and resolves complaints.
- Investigates cases of substandard housing. Follows prescribed procedures to achieve abatement of unsafe conditions, including ongoing inspection and collection of information necessary for court action and condemnation. Issues warnings, violations and correction notices following established methods of progressive action.
- Conducts enforcement activities in a fair and consistent manner. Investigates complaints in a comprehensive and unbiased manner.
- Documents the facts of violations, completes requisite paperwork and maintains records of inspections, code violation incidents and inspection results. Documents compliance and violations. Provides summary reports of activities as requested, as well as other administrative requirements as necessary.
- Performs follow-up functions, including re-inspections, logging of complaints/activities, monitoring the status of citations, and notifying involved parties of status.
- Assists in preparing cases for court proceedings. Prepares documentation for the Township attorney and testifies concerning specifics of particular cases.
- Keeps abreast of professional developments, legal issues and other current events through continued education and professional growth. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
- May assist in developing ordinance language.
- Performs related work as required.
Requirements:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. A qualified individual with a disability must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Requirements include the following:
- A high school diploma, or equivalent, supplemented by vocational training related to law enforcement or building construction techniques.
- Two years of experience working in code and ordinance enforcement, building construction, and/or housing inspection.
- State of Michigan Vehicle Operators License.
- Knowledge and understanding of state, locally adopted property maintenance codes and ordinances, local housing codes and related laws.
- Knowledge of the legal system and liability issues as they relate to code enforcement.
- Ability to perform visual reviews and inspections of property sites and knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of site inspection and code enforcement.
- Ability to gather and analyze data to interpret, apply and enforce related codes and ordinances for the purpose of preparing accurate and timely reports, memoranda, letters, and responses to requests for information.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with landlords, property owners, tenants, the public, other professional contacts, and municipal officials.
- Skill in using standard office equipment, computer, measuring tools and camera.
- Ability to critically assess situations, solve problems, and work effectively within deadlines and to work efficiently with limited supervision.
- Ability to convey and understand information effectively and promptly through speaking, hearing, reading and writing.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the 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, listen, view physical facilities, sites and written documents. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items of light to moderate weight. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a business office setting, in the field and regularly works outdoors. In the course of field activities, the employee is exposed to violations of public health, outside weather conditions and occasionally works near moving parts and/or machinery. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and may become loud in field situations.
