Code Compliance Investigator Iii

Job Announcement

Compliance (DCC) responds to over 8,000 complaints each year related to outdoor storage, multiple occupancy, property maintenance, unpermitted construction, and other zoning/building code violations. Bringing these violations into compliance enables DCC to achieve the mission of the agency; promote, protect, and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County. As certified by the state of Virginia (VDHCH) and/or appointed by the relevant Code Official to do so on their behalf, research, and investigates complaints and inquiries regarding alleged violations of zoning, noise, property maintenance, building and fire code. Conducts field investigations by utilizing unique techniques, interviews citizens, gathers evidence, advises violators of code violations, placards unsafe violations, and conducts follow up investigations to ensure compliance. Prepares automated reports, updates information in the PLUS system, issues formal notices and orders as prescribed by relevant code or ordinance. Prepares evidentiary material and testifies in local courts, in addition to local and state governing bodies pertaining to violations observed and aspects of the case. Communicates with residents and provides education general code awareness information to the community. Duties are performed under the direction of a division supervisor.

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;
  
• Prepares automated reports of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable codes based on analysis of investigation findings and maintains investigation files;
  
• 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;
  
• 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;

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.)

• Thorough knowledge of State laws, County codes and ordinances governing land use, zoning, property maintenance, building, and related code provisions;
  
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures including interviewing and fact finding, related to code and ordinance enforcement;
  
• Ability to read and interpret, regulations, legal documents, maps, and building plans;
  Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports;
  
• Ability to uses personal computer software and accesses centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data;
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with county residents, code violators, complainants and neighborhood groups;
  
• Ability to maintain appropriate and professional demeanor in all situations, including threatening and/or adverse circumstances;
  
• Ability to perform research, interpret regulations, legal precedents and court cases;
  
• Ability to serve as a witness;
  Ability to prepare comprehensive, accurate reports on observations made during an investigation;
  
• Ability to interact with individuals from various racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups;
  
• Ability to diffuse hostility, elicits information, and gain cooperation;
  
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and to properly articulate the corrective action necessary to clear a violation;
  
• Ability to oversee multiple investigations;
  
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public, civic groups, homeowner associations, and to foster cooperative citizen and neighborhood involvement;
  
• Ability to coordinate resources with members of other County agencies such as the County Attorney's Office, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Health Department, the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Land Development Services, Tax Administration and the Board of Supervisors;
  
• Ability to deal tactfully with opposing attorneys, realtors, bank and/or lending institution representatives, judges, and counterparts in other jurisdictions; Ability to work odd schedules and/or weekends to investigate those types of complaints that require drastically modified work schedules;
  
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather;
  
• Ability to work effectively in unsanitary environments.

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 four 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).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four years’ minimum experience interpreting state and county codes and regulations related to zoning, noise, property maintenance, residential, and/or commercial building codes;
• Experience with Planning and Land Use System (PLUS);
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and fellow employees;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Proficiency in Spanish or other language.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's License (Required)

Must possess three certifications from the following areas as defined by the position description:

• Property Maintenance Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD);
• Zoning Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
• Building certification by VDHCD in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) in residential construction;

OR

• VDHCD certification in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in commercial construction.

(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire an alternate necessary certifications within a specified time period following employment which may be substituted for one of the above certifications. The certifications that may be substituted are identified below, in the position description and employment advertisement.)

• Fire Certification as ICC Fire Inspector I.

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift 50 lbs. with assistance. Ability to speak clearly and understandably. 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. Ability to discern and identify colors. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; 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.

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