Code Compliance Officer - City of Haines City

***Position open until November 20, 2024***

The City of Haines City is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for all positions equally without regard to their race, sex, age, color, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. The City of Haines City is a Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants who complete the initial screening process will be required to complete a pre-employment drug screen and physical. Police Department applicants will also be required to take a Polygraph Examination. All information provided by an applicant will be verified for truthfulness and accuracy if a conditional offer of employment is made. Applications and other submitted documents are considered public records.

Salary range is provided to show the min to max compensation for a position. It is not the basis for or guarantee of a starting salary.

Position Function:

The Code Compliance Officer is a civilian position operating under the direction of the Code Compliance Supervisor. The Code Compliance Officer performs duties necessary to support the Code Compliance Division in enforcing the City's Code of Ordinances. Responsible for a variety of field and administrative office work, including, but not limited to visual inspections of abandoned vehicles, buildings, sheds, and property for safety and structural integrity in compliance with housing, land use, and zoning city code of ordinances, environmental or health hazards, and non-compliant violators for the quality of the municipality, and issue citations for non-compliance of the City's Code of Ordinances.

The most important and essential job function of the position is attitude which includes the following: interacting positively and cooperating with co-workers, responding politely to customers, working as a team member, functioning under moderate pressure, and responding in a positive manner to supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Responsible for the daily operational and enforcement tasks of assigned Code Compliance operations necessary to achieve exemplary services for the protection of life and property; prevention/resolution of crime; and maintenance and restoration of order through efficient and effective implementation/execution of all code enforcement-related services. Performs duties necessary to achieve Department and organizational goals, objectives, and investigative responses/initiatives. Maintains sound knowledge of modern code enforcement principles and techniques. Responsible for facilitating community relations.
   
   
2. Responsible for maintaining up-to-date required/mandated training. Duties include attending training activities to ensure ongoing.
   
   
3. Job-related training and professional development are compliant with all applicable Federal, State, Occupational Health and Safety, and organizational policies, practices, and standards. Required to provide documentation of training to the Department upon successful completion of training activities/courses, ensuring personal training record is up-to-date. Required to review and electronically sign General Orders, online training, and other instructive/informative documents published in Power DMS, within established timelines.
   
   
4. Responsible for operational duties relating to the Unit/Department. Duties include conducting research relating to property ownership, permits, codes, and laws; preparing Nuisance Abatement notices for clean-up, board-up, and demolition of structures; and initiating general notices and correspondence relating to code enforcement. Maintains records of violations. Writes reports and ensures timeliness of reports/inspections and utilizes computer equipment and software programs.
   
   
5. Responsible for enforcement duties/tasks relating to code compliance. Duties include identifying existing code violations; performing field inspections and re-inspections to determine compliance with zoning and land development requirements, property maintenance, conformance with business tax receipts, and related codes. Duties include enforcing and following policies for code compliance; recommending corrective action to ensure compliance; and determining time frames for compliance achievement. Presents facts and recommendations to various appointed or elected boards; Testifies in court, Special Magistrate hearings, and before boards.
   
   
6. Responsible for exceptional customer service. Duties include receiving/providing information from/to City staff, other agencies, property owners, builders, and the general public. Relays information to appropriate members. Coordinates code enforcement actions with other city departments and other governmental agencies. Provides general information and referral information in person and through telephone inquiries to internal and external customers. Maintains confidential information.
   
   
7. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Environment:

Environment relates to administrative duties performed within an office environment or setting, in non-emergency response services, and through extensive public contacts, with moderate amounts of stress. Works with computers and complex software programs; Possible exposure to dust, mold, noise, inclement weather, extreme temperatures, smoke, fire, toxic or caustic chemicals and/or fumes, mechanical and/or moving parts, high elevations, vibration, blood borne pathogens, viruses, disease, and other like items commonly associated with non-emergency response services. The position may require acts of physical endurance and agility. Position may be subject to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The position may require working an on-call schedule. The position may be required to respond to critical incidents and natural disasters.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Required knowledge is normally obtained through the completion of a High School Diploma or GED. Advanced coursework in a related field is preferred. Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E.) Certification Levels I obtained within 12 months of the hire date. Florida Association of Code Enforcement II and III obtained within 24 months of hire date, preferred. International Property Maintenance Code Certification preferred, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date. Complete CPR/AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, and the required FEMA Incident Command System courses training within six (6) months of employment.

• Preferred a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of Code Enforcement. An equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the following: business tax receipts, code enforcement violations, minimum housing, and rehabilitation inspections are acceptable.

• Must possess good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate tactfully, clearly, and impartially; duties include speaking with customers who require the ability to communicate and professionally present oneself; must have the ability to follow oral/written directions. Must have the ability to make sound decisions, problem solve, organize thoughts, and reason logically. Requires the ability to read, comprehend, interpret, analyze, and practically apply agency directives, reports, memorandums, and policies and procedures. Must be able to follow oral and written directions; must be able to successfully maintain/work with confidential information.

• Must be able to read and understand Florida State Statutes 162, HCPD General Orders; City Ordinances/Codes; research, resource, and supplemental materials; City policies/procedures; Department General Orders, Minimum Housing Standards, Zoning and Property Standards, Legal Aspects of Code Administration, and Accreditation requirements specific to the Unit/Department. Must be able to read and analyze data, with the ability to apply appropriate applications. Must be familiar with Housing Rehabilitation, and with the Criminal Justice System as it applies to Code Compliance. Must be able to determine compliance with all applicable codes associated with Code Compliance; must be able to create, read, understand, and appropriately file various reports/documents/records. Must be able to maintain accurate records and understand alphabetical/numerical filing systems.

• Individual must be able to work under short time constraints, and the pressures of a fast-paced work environment meeting established timelines/deadlines. Requires the ability to work independently, prioritize work, maintain self-discipline, problem solve, multi-task, communicate effectively/tactfully/impartially, concentrate, comprehend, reason logically, organize thoughts, and analyze data. Individuals must maintain knowledge of community referral services, available resources, and current events. The position requires self-discipline and organizational skills.

• Individuals must understand the practical application of NIMS/ICS principles and tactics as they relate to the Code Compliance Unit/Department and understand/apply safety techniques within a field and office setting.

• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working and professional relationships with the City and other public employees/officials, Department members, legal professionals, and the general public. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively and have interpersonal, public relations, problem-solving/stress management, and self-discipline skills.

• Must maintain and exercise ethnic/cultural awareness, and be familiar with the Department's service area.

• Must be able to provide appropriate community referral services, and assist with the city clean-up projects.

• Individuals must be able to perform basic mathematical equations necessary to perform tasks such as payroll, compilation, keyboarding, computer, organizational, decision-making, and accounting skillsets.

• Individuals must be able to compose notices, reports, forms/logs, memorandums, and correspondence and have knowledge of basic grammar, proper spelling, and punctuation.

• Must be able to demonstrate acceptable reading comprehension and interpreting abilities using various software applications such as Microsoft Office (e.g. Word); Power DMS, and IWORQ-code enforcement program. Individual has the ability to use a calculator, telephone, copier, facsimile, and scanner. Must be able to scan and extrapolate data and operate audio/visual equipment.

• Conduct daily and monthly inspections maintaining equipment cleanliness and operational readiness; perform inspection and re-inspections for compliance with the City's Code of Ordinance.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Florida Class E driver's license

• Must pass applicable post-offer pre-employment testing and background and credit check selection process requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County