Code Investigator - Enforcement Team (DSD Employees Only)

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience in code enforcement, code administration, building inspections, building construction, planning, or other regulatory or law enforcement capacity enforcing and interpreting codes and regulations, including three (3) years of case management experience.
• Graduation with an Associate degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Environmental, Engineering, Urban Planning, Criminal Justice, Building Science, Construction Management, or in a related field may substitute for experience in code enforcement or building construction trade up to two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver license within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Criminal background check is required.
• Registered as a Code Enforcement Officer with the State of Texas.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to bend, lift, walk, carry, or use a force equal to lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.
Notes to Applicants

The Development Services Department ( DSD ) assists homeowners, business owners, and contractors when they build, demolish, remodel or perform any type of construction to ensure compliance with applicable city and building codes.

DSD is seeking a Code Investigator for the Repeat Offender Program. Code Investigators are responsible for motivating, managing, and training code inspectors. Code Investigators also routinely assist with complex, high profile, and escalated cases, performing property inspections and in-depth case reviews. Code Investigators are under minimal supervision, Investigators routinely assist inspection staff with assigned case management and case resolution.

Job duties include the following:

• Performing assigned inspections/investigations for assigned service area, and conducting quality reviews on case reports to ensure consistency and compliance with internal standards.
• Evaluating validity and severity of reported property code violations by conducting interviews with tenants/occupants, neighbors, contractors, workers, and property owners.
• Maintaining open and responsive communications by responding to calls and emails within two business days.

Employment Application:
The City of Austin Employment Application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. A detailed, complete employment application is required.

• Please be sure to detail on the application all relevant employment to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• This detailed application will be evaluated for the qualifications and will be used to establish base pay if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles, number of employees supervised and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position including all job duties and responsibilities.

Post Interview Verification:
If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, DSD -HR will contact the current and former employer, as well as the professional references listed in the application. Please ensure the contact information on the application is accurate. Top candidates will also be required to provide proof of education from an accredited organization, copies of any professional licenses or certificates listed on the application and a copy of your DD-214 if claiming veteran’s preference.

Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Driving Requirement: This position requires a Valid Texas driver license within thirty (30) days of hire. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Critical Employee: Critical employees are considered necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

THE DEPARTMENT MAY CLOSE THIS JOB POSTING AT ANY TIME AFTER 7 DAYS .
Pay Range
$29.23 - $36.54 per hour
Hours
Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 12/02/2024 Type of Posting Departmental Only Department Development Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, TX 78752 - PDC Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with entering complete and timely case information into the Amanda System, or similar case management software
• Experience managing complex and high-profile cases in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and consultation to Inspectors and Managers regarding complex high-profile cases, including cases being escalated to quasi-judicial hearings.
• Experience in working escalated cases that have exceeded department timelines.
• Experience in monitoring caseloads to ensure even distribution among team members.
• Experience preparing and forwarding non-compliant case files for legal action, in accordance with required enforcement standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with internal and external customers.
• Experience providing clear, concise, timely, accurate, and complete documentation based on factual evidence vs. opinions in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Monitors and facilitates resolution to the field investigations conducted by Code Inspectors. Performs as an investigative and procedural resource for the assigned zone and conducts quality reviews on case reports to ensure compliance with internal standards. Conducts investigations, case management, and enforcement on reported property code violations, which may include interviews with tenants/occupants, neighbors, contractors, workers, or property owners, to evaluate validity. Determines if violations are present at the reported property and refers the code violations to appropriate departments or agencies. Serves as field trainer; facilitates evaluations, credentialing, and field training activities for operations personnel; and ensures proper documentation in writing. Performs research of reported property to determine property ownership, current occupants, and extent of violations. Evaluates research findings to determine appropriate compliance action and determines necessary corrective actions. Coordinates and monitors the improvement or remedy of the violations with the property owners, violators, or other City departments, which includes re-inspections. Coordinates notification of property owners or violators as required by code, regulation, or State statute for any action taken, which includes possible fines, fees, or charges for work performed by City-authorized third-party services. Documents all actions, complying with all division standards, taken from initial investigation through the attainment of compliance, abatement, or judicial/administrative referral. Assists in preparation of cases for legislative, administrative, quasi-judicial, and judicial bodies which may include providing witness testimony. Complies with all applicable security and safety rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to vehicles and personal safety. Responds to inquiries regarding registered complaints and their results. Attends special meetings, which may include presenting/providing information related to code compliance. Initiates quality assessments and facilitates process improvements based on documented findings. Performs post-disaster assessment of debris volume for collection services. Complies with all applicable department and division security and safety rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to vehicle and personal safety.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of the principles, interpretation, and administration of applicable policies; codes; and municipal, State, and Federal regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, procedures, and reporting.
• Knowledge of the methods required in reading and interpreting maps, building plans, and site plans.
• Knowledge of applying land use codes and ordinances, which includes, but is not limited to, research and the use of site plans.
• Knowledge of the coordination and integration of the investigative function with other operations, the department, and the City.
• Knowledge of data entry and retrieval procedures.
• Skill in organization.
• Skill in evaluating research to determine applicable ordinances, codes, regulations, and statutes.
• Skill in communicating orally subject matter case testimony before a governing or judicial body.
• Skill in written and oral communication of any violation and the requirements for its improvement or rehabilitation to architects, contractors, developers, other City staff, and the public to achieve voluntary compliance.
• Skill in making accurate measurements and computations.
• Skill in preparing clear and concise written reports, and in presenting quantitative and qualitative data to provide timely management information.
• Skill in recordkeeping.
• Skill in using effective time management to meet Federal, State, City, department, and division-mandated deadlines.
• Skill in using a digital camera, laptop or notebook computer, and appropriate software applications, principally Microsoft Office products.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The Minimum Qualifications for this position are: Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience in code enforcement, code administration, building inspections, building construction, planning, or other regulatory or law enforcement capacity enforcing and interpreting codes and regulations, including three (3) years of case management experience. Graduation with an Associate degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Environmental, Engineering, Urban Planning, Criminal Justice, Building Science, Construction Management, or in a related field may substitute for experience in code enforcement or building construction trade up to two (2) years. Do you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position?

• Yes
• No

* Are you a current Development Services Department employee?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* This position requires a Valid Texas driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire. Do you have a Valid Texas driver’s license or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Texas driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Are you a registered as a Code Enforcement Officer with the State of Texas?

• Yes
• No

* This position involves tasks that may include bending, lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Do you have the ability to perform these tasks with or without reasonable accommodations?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience with AMANDA or another Case Management system?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires strong verbal and written communication skills. Please describe how you have used these skills extensively in your current or past work experience.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please briefly describe your experience preparing and forwarding non-compliant case files for legal action, in accordance with required enforcement standards.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience in monitoring caseloads to ensure even distribution among team members.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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