GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

This part-time position is the entry-level class in the codes enforcement job family. Initially under close supervision and working under the direction of the Codes Enforcement Sergeant for the Lebanon Police Department. An employee in this position will perform office and field work involving the inspection, investigation, and compliance of City codes, ordinances, abatement regulations governing nuisance, signage, zoning, and other ordinances in both commercial and residential areas.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receive and respond to complaints from the public, staff and outside agencies regarding violations of municipal codes and ordinances for nuisance, signage, zoning, abandoned or inoperative vehicles and substandard housing conditions; document violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data.

• Proactively patrol assigned areas, on a regular schedule, in a City vehicle to identify and evaluate problem areas and/or ordinance violations relating to trash, debris, high grass and/or weeds, substandard housing conditions, inoperative/parked vehicles and other community property nuisance.

• Proactively patrol assigned commercial area inspecting for compliance with ordinances related to property maintenance, sign regulations and approved landscaping plans.

• Input daily inspections information into the City’s code enforcement system and utilize system to retrieve data and generate reports.

• Prepares a variety of reports, memos and correspondences related to enforcement activities; and maintain accurate documentation and files on all investigations, inspections, and enforcement actions.

• Prepare and provide documentation and evidence in support of legal actions taken by the City; appear in court as necessary and testify at hearings and in court proceedings as required.

• Conduct computer research for property ownership, legal descriptions, issuance of permits and map guides.

• May enforce parking violations.

• Must be punctual and timely in meeting all job performance requirements, including but not limited to, attendance and tardiness standards and work deadlines.

 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO BUILDING INSPECTION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Determines whether plans for the structure comply with regulations.

• Inspects existing structures to determine safety standards are met and notifies property owners if deficiencies are found.

• Maintains a daily log of locations that are inspected, and violations issued.

• Maintains files including reports and photographs of inspections and violations.

• Notifies building owner of violations giving guidelines for correcting the deficiency as provided in the International Property Maintenance Code, or other property maintenance regulations adopted by the City, and enabling statutes within Tennessee Code Annotated.

• Issues stop-work order if deficiencies are not corrected.

• Other duties as assigned by the Police Chief.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to obtain compliance from violators.

• Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, codes and principles and methods of enforcing varied municipal codes.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and other city departments.

• Ability to communicate with people in very stressful or combative situations, including handling irate customers, diffusing adversarial situations, and communicating calmly in tense situations.

• Ability to find appropriate solutions to problems.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

• Knowledge of the geographical features and locations within the area served.

• Ability to prepare accurate and detailed documentation of investigation findings.

• Ability to inspect and identify violations of applicable codes and ordinances.

• Ability to respond to inquiries, complaints and requests for service in a fair, tactful and firm manner.

• Ability to maintain complex logs, records and files.

• Ability to demonstrate effective public relations practices.

• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods and equipment.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the plans and documents.

• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Physical ability to perform the essential job duties.

 

DRIVER'S LICENSE

Valid Tennessee Driver's License and clear driving record is required.

 

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS

Must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving “moral turpitude” as the term is defined by law and not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any of the armed forces of the United States.

Must have good moral character. 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

Must gain education and extensive knowledge of Lebanon Municipal Code (LMC) as well as the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) within ninety (90) days of hire.

Must successfully complete field training.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. is required.

Associate's Degree from an accredited college or technical school is strongly desired.

2 years of experience in office administrative, inspections, codes compliance, record keeping, or closely related field is a plus.

 

POST-OFFER/PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL & DRUG SCREEN

Successful completion of a physical examination, drug screen, and a pre-employment psychological exam are required.

 

WRITTEN EXAM REQUIREMENT

Qualified candidates will be required to take and pass a written exam with a score of 70% or higher.

 

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.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is also required to stand and walk. Must have finger strength and manipulation to operate firearms.

2. Hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or make fine distinctions in sound. You must have normal ability to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and be able to localize sounds. All candidates shall be tested for sharpness of hearing, to establish a record of hearing ability at the time of recruitment and to provide a valid basis for disqualification of such candidates as are found to have obvious hearing defects which would interfere with duties, such as inability to clearly perceive sounds within the normal voice range or sounds within normal decibel limits.

3. Must be able to safely operate motor vehicle.

4. May be required to pass all physical and academic requirements of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy.

5. Must be able to move or drag heavy objects, transfer equipment from locations to vehicle and carry objects as needed.

6. Must be able to wear up to 15 pounds of equipment for an entire shift and perform required job duties with such equipment on person. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and move or drag heavy objects, such as equipment and road debris.

7. Must have sufficient overall strength to defend self or others from physical attack.

8. Visual acuity is required for night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing general surroundings and activities. 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 & HAZARDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

2. Conditions present threat to personal safety during periods: may be exposed to unsafe building sites, toxic materials, and other infectious environments.

3. Conditions are occasionally unsafe.

4. This is a safety and security sensitive position.

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Reasonable Accommodations: It shall be the responsibility of the City of Lebanon Police Department to assess the type(s) of reasonable accommodations which may be necessary to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of a codes enforcement officer and to provide such necessary reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the provision of reasonable accommodations if doing so will impose an undue hardship on the employing agency or a direct threat to the safety of himself/herself or others.