Community Service Officer

Description

This is a highly visible position that interacts with citizens and visitors to create a positive public image in an effort to respond to inquiries and complaints regarding codes related to housing standards, property maintenance, lodging regulations, environmental health, zoning, weeds, junk and abandoned vehicles and nuisances, animal, and park code related ordinances for the City.Responsible for enforcing animal, park and code related ordinances.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Responsible for the enforcement of the laws and ordinance of the city related to property maintenance, housing standards, lodging regulations, environmental health, zoning, weeds, junk and abandoned vehicles and nuisances, animal, and park code related ordinances.

Conduct active patrol of the City's streets, open space areas, parks and trails system.

Address citizens' questions and concerns pertaining to code issues. Proactively provide positive customer service to the development community, landowners, members of the public and other city and governmental agencies in understanding city laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations.

Respond to, investigate, and remedy complaints received from citizens, officials and City employees relating to code violations; perform mediation and intervention to resolve potential conflicts. Perform on-site inspections and ascertain compliance with ordinances, regulations, and proposed plans; make follow-up inspections to ensure violations are abated, altered, discontinued, or removed; initiate legal actions for continuing violations.

Inform property owners or their legal representatives of violations of applicable regulations and ordinances and explain changes that must be made to achieve compliance. Order the compliance, abatement, discontinuance, removal or alteration of conditions which violate applicable ordinances, laws, and regulations; issue verbal warnings, written warnings, and summons for code violations.

Prepare reports documenting investigative work performed; prepare and document code violations for court cases; testify in court as a witness or complainant.

Recognize potential hazards, suspicious or unlawful activity and determine whether criminal or civil matter; may approach/detain suspects until a Police Officer arrives.

Tag and tow abandoned and junked vehicles for removal from public property.

Responds to calls for service regarding animal related issues and for service as they relate to nuisance and animal cruelty complaints; safeguards the public against vicious or dangerous animals. Provide humane treatment and care for all animals to prevent pain and suffering; euthanize sick or injured wildlife as needed; impound animals running at large and transport to shelter; dispose of dead animals.

Work closely with various agencies in the identification of safety issues regarding wildlife/ human conflicts. Notifies animal owners or caretakers of violations and corrective actions required. Inspect and issue kennel licenses and exotic animal permits.

Provide routine care and maintenance of equipment.

Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service; communicate with customers, clients or the public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings or using a telephone.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

Prepare and present public education programs or public relations information at events or community meetings. Attend classes, seminars, conferences, and workshops as determined necessary to maintain competence and applicable certifications.

Perform related work as required and assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Work under the direct supervision of the Community Services Team Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION:

Work is performed in accordance with standard practice and methods requiring initiative to complete recurring assignments independently and judgment to determine which methods are applicable in any given situation. Unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Incumbent must remain fit for duty to perform all essential duties.

Physical activities include: intermittently sitting, standing, walking, occasional running, kneeling, crawling, crouching, stooping, squatting, jumping, twisting upper body, lifting, dragging and carrying more than 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to work in harsh environments including extreme cold and heat, temperature swings, and working in confined spaces; exposed to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, machinery and its moving parts, dust, dirt, fumes, odors, noise, wetness; may be required to climb a ladder or scaffolding and may be exposed to some risk of electrical shock. Job tasks include reading, writing, and reviewing reports, papers, and other documents requiring acute mental skills and a lengthy attention span.

Job requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus; ability to talk or hear; use hands to fingers, handle or feel objects and reach with hands and arms. Incumbent must be able to perform multiple concurrent tasks and work under stress with frequent interruptions. Interaction with the public is an every day occurrence and requires the ability to direct, negotiate and mediate and communicate in a clear and concise manner.

Incumbent may be exposed to extreme risks and hazards in handling stray or injured animals and involved in frequent confrontations with ordinance violators. Position requires fluctuating working hours and days to include weekends and holidays.

EQUIPMENT USED:

The ability to properly operate or use the following equipment is necessary: telephone, radio pager, police records and booking computer terminals, calculator, copier, and other office equipment; tape measure, level, ladder, State Law and Municipal Ordinance and other related reference books, personal or City vehicle, emergency response equipment, police radio, ATV, catch pole, leashes, animal traps, euthanasia pole, bicycle, first aid supplies/equipment, flares, flashlight, baton, pepper mace spray.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

QUALIFICATIONS: Upon successful completion of the required field training and evaluation program:

Knowledge - of basic objectives and operational activities in the administration of construction site management and a code enforcement program; develop working knowledge of: local statutes and ordinances, proper law enforcement principles/procedures/practices; first aid and medical procedures/practices; city and surrounding areas including streets, buildings, landmarks, alleys, roads, building construction, materials, and equipment, including residential type electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and of the regulations, laws, zoning and code enforcement rules relating to the same; techniques and materials of the construction trade and of the stages in construction when possible defects in building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations may be easily observed and corrected.

Skills

• In the operation of the equipment assigned as tools in the enforcement of the outlined responsibilities; preparing written reports and projects; dealing tactfully with customers to resolve violations; excellent confrontational and problem solving skills.

Abilities

• Comply with the physical and mental constraints as described in the aforementioned and operate the tools & equipment necessary to enforce codes and regulations. Read and interpret codes and ordinances, legal descriptions of real property, construction plans, plot plans, site plans and property markers; comprehend and make interpretations of written City codes.
  
  Analyze situations quickly, objectively and determine proper course of action; effectively solve problems and make independent decisions based on sound reasoning, good judgment, and established procedures; maintain a high level of self-motivation and initiative while working with little or no direct supervision. Communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions; organize tasks and working environment to maximize efficiency with attention to customer service. Create and maintain effective working relationships; deal tactfully to resolve problems through education, cooperation, and reasonable agreement to gain compliance with code requirements.

Hiring Range: $24.17-$26.10

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Training- Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Experience

• Prior experience in code enforcement, working in an animal related field, parks enforcement, and/or property inspection areas.

Supplemental Information

Current valid driver's license or the ability to obtain Colorado driver's license at hire; Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials (CACEO) required within 2 years of hire.

No consideration will be given for:

§ Driving record indicating a history of repeated traffic violations, accidents or suspension within 2 years

§ Felony conviction of any kind, or misdemeanor convictions received within the past twelve (12) months or which demonstrate a lack of integrity or offenses involving moral turpitude.

Expectations

All team members are expected to adhere to the organizational values of ACTION and are responsible for contributing to the achievements of the organization and department. Team members are expected to continue to grow professionally and to apply their learning to their job setting.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the City of Wheat Ridge not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin or disability, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants UPON REQUEST to the Human Resources Office.