Job Announcement

As certified by the state of Virginia (VDHCH) and/or appointed by the relevant Code Official to do so on their behalf, researches, prepares for and investigates complaints and inquiries regarding alleged violations and appropriate compliance actions regarding violations of zoning, noise, property maintenance, building code, and fire code violations. Conducts field investigations and interviews, gathers evidence, uses unique investigative techniques, advises violators of code violations, placards unsafe violations, and conducts follow up investigations to ensure compliance. Prepares automated reports, updates information in system databases, issues formal notices and orders as prescribed by relevant code or ordinance. Prepares evidentiary material and testifies in local courts, local and state governing bodies pertaining to violations observed and aspects of the case. Communicates with residents and provides general code awareness information to the community. Duties are performed under the direction of a Division Supervisor.

Position may be underfilled as a Code Compliance Investigator I; the Underfill Requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.

The salary offer for the position will not exceed the mid-point (or 83,591.66) of the advertised salary range.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all- inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Conducts initial interviews over the phone or face-to-face with complainants to determine the exact nature of complaint and requests further pertinent information;
• Investigates zoning, property maintenance, noise ordinance, and/or unpermitted construction complaints;
• Addresses life safety issues as priorities (unsafe construction, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions such as hoarding);
• Advises violators of ordinance requirements and seeks to gain voluntary compliance;
• Develops investigation plans and coordinates with other agencies or investigators;
• Conducts field investigations and gathers as much evidence as possible within constitutional/fourth amendment constraints;
• Gathers evidence such as photographs, violator and witness statements, and computer and file research;
• Conducts field interviews with violators;
• Recommends the opening of additional cases where the type and extent of violations merits;
• Prepares automated reports of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable codes based on analysis of investigation findings and maintains investigation files;
• Records coded entries in designated database for tracking purposes;
• Prepares and issues Notice of Violations, Stop Work Orders, Corrective Work Orders, Unsafe structures reports, memoranda and other correspondence and initiates corrective procedures to obtain voluntary compliance;
• Prepares evidentiary chronologies and Rule to Show Cause for submission to the County Attorney's Office for civil litigation;
• Prepares evidentiary material and for presentation in general district court for the purpose of unclassed misdemeanor prosecutions;
• Employs unique investigative techniques such as stake-outs, neighborhood canvasses, etc. to gain critical information relating to cases;
• Swears to civil affidavits and criminal summonses;
• Testifies in civil and criminal court proceedings, Board of Zoning Appeal hearings, and Board of Building Code Appeal hearings;
• Responds to citizens' queries concerning zoning and property maintenance and other matters;
• Appears at civic association meeting to present educational material;
• Condemns and placards unsafe structures which are dangerous to life, health, and safety of occupants and the public and board up entrances and openings into the structure;
• Conducts follow-ups to ensure that violations have been abated or court ordered mandates have been implemented;
• May assist in the preparation and/or review of draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
• May coordinate with other county/state/federal agencies when issues have overlapping or joint responsibilities.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus two years of relative work experience in the area of code enforcement or equivalent (e.g., performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, or related code enforcement, inspection, investigative or abatement work).

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as a Code Comp Investigator I (Grade S22; $56,957.47 - $94,929.54). The employment standards for the Code Comp Investigator are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies, or a related field.

Applicants hired at the Code Comp Investigator I will be non-competitively promoted to the Code Comp Investigator II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.

Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Code Comp Investigator II within two years of the job announcement's closing date by September 30, 2022.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Building Maintenance Inspector (VDHCD)/ Property Maintenance (VDHCD).-Required within 12 months

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Considerable knowledge of state and county codes and regulations related to zoning, noise, property maintenance, residential, and/or commercial building codes. Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and fellow employees. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift 50 lbs. with assistance. Ability to distinguish appropriate nomenclature in colors in accordance with the VUSBC and other regulatory codes. Ability to lawfully operate a county vehicle. Work requires the ability to speak clearly and understandably.
Must be able to operate equipment. Ability to climb, walk/traverse rough, icy, or broken terrain: go up and down steep inclines. Ability to exit structures quickly in case of an emergency/life safety situation. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.


Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.