Qualified applicants may apply on our website by downloading an application packet at cityofcovington.org, or may apply in person at Covington City Hall, 2194 Emory Street, Covington, Georgia 30014. This position will remain open until 4:00 PM on Wednesday September 20, 2023. The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
JOB SUMMARY:
Under supervision of the Planning & Zoning Director the Code Enforcement Officer performs a variety of technical duties in support of the city's code enforcement programs; monitors and enforces a variety of applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations related to land use matters, building, housing, health and safety, property maintenance, abandoned vehicle abatement, boarded up houses and similar matters of public concern.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Performs a variety of field and office work in support of the city's code enforcement program; enforces compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations including those pertaining to land use matters, building, housing, health and safety, business conformance, property maintenance, and similar matters of public concern.
• Receives and responds to citizen complaints and reports from other agencies and departments on violations of city zoning and related municipal codes and ordinances;
• Conducts investigations; interviews complainant and witnesses; inspects residential, retail, commercial, and industrial properties for code violations; attempts to make contact with property owners or tenants in order to resolve violations and effectively work toward compliance;
• Issues and posts warning notices, notices of violation, corrective notices, orders to comply, and related documentation for code violations;
• Schedules and performs all follow-up functions to gain compliance including letters, inspections, calls, meetings, discussions, and negotiations to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances; prepares requests for legal action.
• Maintains accurate documentation and case files on all investigations, inspections, enforcement actions, and other job-related activities including accurate and detailed information regarding code enforcement activity to substantiate violations; establishes and maintains a case management system.
• Prepares and provides documentation and evidence in support of legal actions taken by the city; appears in court as necessary; testifies at hearings and in court proceedings as required.
• Investigates violations and initiates procedures to abate violations and obtain compliance including issuing notices of violations, citations, code enforcement summons and other correspondence specifying necessary corrective action, compliance, and compliance dates.
• Facilitates the functions of the Code Enforcement Board and boarded-housing ordinance and acts as the City's Board representative, prepares cases and public presentations of information, and represents the city on appeal cases.
• Oversees the boarded-up housing neighborhood beautification program.
• Serves as a resource and provides information on city regulations to property owners, residents, businesses, the general public, and other City Departments.
• Proactively patrols assigned area to identify and evaluate problem areas and/or ordinance violations; conducts property inspections; determines proper method to resolve violations.
• Issues stop work notices for construction or alterations being performed without proper permits; assists all parties involved in achieving compliance.
• Attends meetings and serves as a resource to other City Departments, divisions, the general public, community groups, and outside agencies related to code enforcement.
• Works cooperatively with other departments, local partners, and local, state, and federal agencies to provide resources and enforcement to the community.
• Interprets and explains municipal codes and ordinances to members of the general public, contractors, business owners, and other interested groups.
• Operates computer to enter, process, and acquire data relative to complaints, inspection sites, and effective code enforcement; researches complaints.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Responsible for the production of the weekly and monthly Code Compliance reports for Department Head.
• Researches Newton County and City of Covington’s property records for ownership, occupancy, business and other information related to inspections and violations.
• Researches, analyzes, and recommends updates to code compliance ordinances, issues, equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Interprets applicable ordinances and codes and informs the public and alleged violators. Prepares marketing materials and flow chart processes to educate citizens on code enforcement protocols for violations.
• Updates case information in appropriate database by maintaining a status report of each case.
• Participates in the preparation of daily, special, and periodic reports.
• Maintains equipment, supplies and facilities as needed.
• Recommends improvements for relevant Departmental operations.
• Notifies superiors and key administrative personnel of major incidents, accidents, or emergencies.
• Exchanges information and coordinates efforts and activities with other City Departments.
• Provide assistance during emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned, such as the issuance of sign permits, building permits, business licenses, Occupational Taxes; Prepares information for Planning & Zoning Department on cases for the Board of Appeals and Adjustments and other appointed boards.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
(A) Must be 18 years or older at the time of employment;
(B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid State driver’s license.
(C) High school diploma or GED supplemented by a two-year community college degree or vocational school training in code enforcement, urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
(D) Three or more years of experience in code enforcement, zoning enforcement, building inspection, customer service, or a similarly related field.
(E) An equivalent combination of education and experience.
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations related to assigned duties.
• Knowledge of procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations including research methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of conducting and documenting field investigations.
• Knowledge of municipal zoning and land use principles.
• Knowledge of city services and organizational structure as they relate to code compliance.
• Knowledge of legal actions applicable to code enforcement compliance.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of customer service and public relations.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in the preparation of business correspondence and technical reports.
• Knowledge of operating characteristics of electronic devices including video cameras and wireless phones.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices including personal safety practices when in confrontational encounters with the public.
• Knowledge of geographic features and locations within the area served.
• Effective communication techniques required for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Basic mathematical principles for reading maps, measuring, and other computations necessary to identify violations.
• Proficiency with personal computers and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to independently perform a full range of municipal code enforcement and compliance duties.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain applicable codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures related to assigned area.
• Ability to inspect and identify violations of applicable codes and ordinances.
• Ability to enforce pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations with impartiality and efficiency.
• Ability to respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a timely and tactful manner.
• Ability to work in potentially confrontational settings and use accepted and appropriate techniques to ensure officer safety.
• Ability to defuse and react appropriately to potentially dangerous and confrontational encounters with the public.
• Ability to represent the city in a professional manner and deal effectively with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving problems and concerns.
• Ability to research, compile, and collect data.
• Ability to prepare accurate and detailed documentation of investigation findings.
• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of correspondence, logs, records, and files.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports.
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents and descriptions.
• Ability to read maps.
• Ability to make oral presentations and testify in court.
• Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Ability to understand the organization and operation of the city and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Level 1 Certification with Georgia Association of Code Enforcement must be obtained within one (1) year of hire date.
• Valid Georgia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record required.
• Must be eligible to be a Sworn City Official with the ability to issue Municipal Citations.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
While performing the duties of this job, the employee uses and operates a variety of tools and equipment, including: Personal computer, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel); various software for use in permitting/code enforcement, GIS, and document management; printers; maps; digital camera; calculator; video camera, cell phone; telephone; document scanner, virtual video and teleconferencing software, etc.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed mostly in outdoor settings in the inspection of various developments, construction sites. Some indoor work. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions or airborne particles. While performing the duties of this job, the employee normally works in a field environment as well as an office environment, typically visiting businesses or sitting at a desk in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet while inside to loud when outside.
The employee must be mobile and have the ability to visit sites of alleged violations to gather information and or evidence. The work involves the removal of illegal signs, which is accomplished through physical force and use of tools and the posting and removal of rezoning and other related public hearing signs.
The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
9/20/2023