Code Enforcement Officer

Job Title:              Code Enforcement Officer

Department:         Planning
Reports To:          Planning Commission/Town Council Liaison       
FLSA Status:       Nonexempt
Last HR Review: January 2022

Principal Function: The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance and enforcement of appropriate municipal codes and ordinances through onsite inspection and investigation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Governs compliance through research, use of zoning, and/or municipal-related codes and ordinances.
• Performs regular and random field inspections to ensure compliance with all municipal codes and ordinances.
• Receives complaints or concerns provided by employees, residents, or others regarding code and ordinance violations; investigates the complaints to determine if a violation exists.
• Notifies property owners of violations and communicates the compliance process.
• Prepares written notifications of violations to the property owner.
• Follows up on violations to ascertain compliance.
• Records citations and submits appropriate paperwork when property owners do not comply with regulations.
• Testifies at civil court hearings, as needed.
• Maintains accurate and organized electronic and/or paper records of violations, notifications, and citations.
• Produces regular reports, e.g. monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc., as requested by the Town Council and/or the Planning Commission.
• Reviews code and ordinance enforcement procedures and penalties and recommends amendments, as necessary.
• Participates in local and state initiatives, task forces, events, and related professional committees.
• Ensures that all short-term and long-term plans of all municipal code and ordinance-related projects are implemented.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and participating in public outreach efforts to include: resident open houses, homeowner association meetings, newsletter articles, and other media communication tools, as requested.
• Coordinates and effectively communicates orally and in writing with the public, co-workers, the Planning Commission, the Building Commissioner, the Town Manager, the Assistant Town Manager, the Town Council, and vendors, while maintaining courtesy and professionalism.
• Attends Planning Commission meetings and trainings, as required.
• Works with the Lapel Police Department to enforce the abandoned vehicle ordinance.
• Checks with the Utility Director for any utility work that needs to be done, when code and ordinance enforcement duties are slow.
• Completes administrative duties to include: attending meetings, bookkeeping, reviewing reports, completing various reports, answering inquiries, etc., as needed. 
• Completes other duties as assigned and maintains an effective communication process with the Planning Commission and the Town Council.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Town-Related Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Resident Service – Manages difficult or emotional resident situations; Responds promptly to resident needs; Solicits resident feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Attendance and Punctuality – Is consistently at work and is on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Oral and Written Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Reads with the ability to interpret written information.
• Dependability - Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and is willing to try new things.

Job-Related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves City resources.
• Quality and Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; works quickly but efficiently.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Initiative – Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in code enforcement or a similar position preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and timekeeping software.
• The ability to learn and utilize the Town’s land use management, permitting, inspections and code enforcement software.
• A working knowledge of the local government structure.
• A working knowledge of state statutes and department and Town-related policies and procedures.
• A working knowledge of accounting processes and procedures is required.
• A working knowledge of report writing is required.
• A working knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) policies and procedures as they relate to the City’s safety and health policies to include: First Aid, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogens is required.
• A working understanding of public records laws is required.
• The ability to reference, interpret, and apply information contained in local codes and ordinances is required.
• The ability to utilize digital recording equipment to include: photography, video, and/or audio, and integrate those recordings into various reports and software applications is required.
• The ability to respond to complaints and grievances in a professional and courteous manner is required.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality is required.
• The ability to keep and use an updated filing system is required.
• The ability to operate a multi-line telephone system is required.
• The ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other Town departments, regulating agencies, the Town Council, the Town Attorney, vendors, residents, and the public is required.
• The ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationship with residents, vendors, and other Town departments is required.
• The ability to resolve conflicts between employees, and between employees and residents, is required.
• The ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment while providing exceptional customer service is required.
• The ability to work under time pressures with frequent “rush” jobs and urgent deadlines is required.
• The ability to demonstrate a safe driving record and remain insurable through the Town’s liability insurance carrier is required.
• The ability to attend meetings and seminars as requested is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, hand-held devices, and other office equipment is
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.
• The ability to travel in order to attend conferences, seminars, and training is required.

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 duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and or move up to 75 pounds with the use of an assistive device.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp 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 duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; extreme cold (non-weather); extreme heat (non-weather); and outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally is exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; the risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Personal protective equipment must be worn when required to include: work boots, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, hearing protection, and protective clothing.

While the offices of the Town are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It may also require the ability to drive from the Town Hall to other Town buildings and/or Town businesses on behalf of the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. Thus, a valid driver’s license is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications can be picked up at the Lapel Town Hall Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. Positions will remain open until filled. Resumes will be reviewed as received. Persons requiring reasonable accomodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act are asked to contact the Town Hall Office at (765) 534 3157. The Town of Lapel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.