Job Announcement

Works under and serves at the direction of the Director of Code Compliance. Ensures consistent application and enforcement of codes, processes, and policies. Oversees and manages staff responsible for investigating and resolving complaints dealing with the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance, Virginia Maintenance Code, Building Code (Unpermitted Construction), Noise, and Blight. Directs and leads the agencies Operations Section; comprised of Division Supervisors, Code Investigators, and our Code Administration Section. Reviews and evaluates department performance measures and metrics to provide analysis and recommendations. Collaborates with relevant code officials and the County Attorney’s Office, as needed, to ensure consistent alignment of processes and policies. In addition to creating good working relationships with County staff, the Deputy Director builds strong ongoing relationships with community partners and stakeholders focusing on various outreach methods.

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 description.)

• Oversees and manages the Department of Code Compliance’s Field Operations Division;
• Assigns and reviews the work of subordinate supervisory and investigatory staff and distributes workload to assure effective utilization of available staff;
• Works closely, continuously, and collaboratively with the Code Administration Manager;
• Assists investigators on complicated field inspections or court problems as warranted;
• Ensures that all complaints received are adequately prioritized, assigned, and investigated within prescribed response times and policies as established in collaboration with relevant code officials, and that appropriate follow up actions, documentation and resolutions are taken;
• Directs and collaborates with subordinate supervisory staff to ensure that staffing and resource distribution is commensurate with workload and case complexities;
• Identifies enforcement issues and trends within the community, plans and implements changes in resource allocation and/or case assignment and management in order to adequately address those trends for the protection, preservation and welfare of the community;
• Maintains close interaction, alignment and communication with all applicable code officials including those for whom investigative staff are serving as technical assistants;
• Establishes goals, objectives, and priorities for field units;
• Approves, and designs where needed, operational policies and procedures for the field units, and oversees implementation of same in collaboration with relevant code officials;
• Provides guidance to field unit supervisors relative to performance goals and objectives, serves as initial rater in the performance reviews of field unit supervisors, and provides guidance on development needs;
• Oversees supervisory staff to assure appropriate staff training and compliance with policies and procedures established in collaboration with relevant code authorities;
• Represents the Department on interagency task forces.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the property maintenance, zoning, noise, building, blight, fire, health, and other codes within the assigned mission of the Department of Code Compliance;
• Thorough knowledge of the legal processes by which violations in the County are resolved or prosecuted;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of code enforcement;
• Ability to communicate effectively with and to promote collaborative relationships with citizens, civic and community organization groups, code officials, appropriate County agencies and government leaders;
• Ability to formulate and present proposals and presentations for a variety of audiences;
• Ability to effectively supervise staff in carrying out the work of the Division;
• Ability to apply principles of leadership, creative problem solving, collaboration, decision making, and team building;
• Ability to prepare and present concise and effective reports.

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 in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental, building, property maintenance, zoning or blight codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, engineering, construction management, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus five years of progressively more responsible and demonstrable experience leading either zoning, property maintenance code enforcement, environmental health, law enforcement, residential or commercial construction, building permits or building code enforcement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role, creative problem solving, collaboration, decision making, and team building in a diverse organization of multi-functional teams of professionals and technicians.
• Experience planning and managing a comprehensive code compliance program (knowledge in Zoning, Property Maintenance, and Unpermitted Construction).
• Experience in the development and implementation of community outreach strategies to seek code compliance.
• Knowledge, involvement, or experience in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Minimum of five years in a supervisory/managerial role and ten years in the field of code compliance.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Property Maintenance Inspector - Obtained through the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (VDHCD) - Required within twelve (12) months
• Property Maintenance Code Official - Obtained through VDHCD - Required within twelve (12) months
• Authorized agent-designation by the Fairfax County Zoning Administrator - Required within twelve (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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.