CODE COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR III, II, I

(Class Series)

Job Specifications

Class Code:	GL7 GL5 GL3
Analyst:	CE,CH

Date Originated:	8/90
Date Revised:	6/16;1/96

DEFINITION

Under general supervision conducts field and desk investigations, field inspections, and analysis as necessary, in coordination with other staff and agencies, for the administration and enforcement of County building, zoning, cannabis registration and licensing ordinances, environmental ordinances, related regulations, laws and other ordinances governing land use; and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Code Compliance Investigator series is distinguished from other investigator classes by performing investigations and inspections necessary for the administration and enforcement of County building, zoning, cannabis registration and licensing ordinances, and environmental ordinances and other related regulations, laws and ordinances governing land use.

The Code Compliance Investigator series is distinguished from the Building Inspector series in that the latter inspect buildings and structures during construction, alteration or repair for compliance to building codes, ordinances and administrative orders for conformance to approved plans and specifications for which a building permit has been issued. The Code Compliance Investigator series differs from the Planner and Resource Planner series in that the latter conduct planning or resource planning and environmental studies, review land use or development applications, serve as a project leader or specialist, or assist in administering environmental and resource related grant programs and construction projects.

Code Compliance Investigator I is the trainee level of the series. Incumbents work under supervision while learning the code enforcement process. Assignments have a limited scope of responsibility and complexity. As experience is gained, a broader range of duties is assigned. Incumbents are expected, under the alternate staffing policy, to promote to the Code Compliance Investigator II level provided they progress satisfactorily and meet the qualifications of the higher class.

Code Compliance Investigator II is the journey level of the series. Under general supervision, incumbents are expected to independently perform conventional investigations and inspections, such as abandoned vehicle abatement and neglected property inspections; cases involving onsite violations, non and/or limited health and safety violations, interior remodels, room additions, conversions, and other types of correctable violations; and in some positions, using the cannabis registration and licensing ordinances to determine and/or investigate cannabis sites for application approval, compliance and review for renewal

Minor portion of the caseload may involve higher priority cases under the supervision and direction of the Code Compliance Investigator IV. Incumbents are also required to represent the Planning Department and to testify in administrative hearings and courts of law as necessary. Incumbents may, under the alternate staffing policy, promote to the Code Compliance Investigator III level provided they progress satisfactorily; meet the minimum qualifications; demonstrate the ability to investigate more complex cases; and the volume of higher level casework warrants assignment.

Code Compliance Investigator III is the advanced journey level of the series. Under general supervision, incumbents are expected to independently perform the more complex case investigations requiring frequent coordination with other County departments and land use agencies applying the full range of knowledge, skills and abilities such as higher priority neglected properties, dangerous building and site abatement investigations, as well as cases involving complex violations with health and safety, off-site and non-restorable impacts, and in some positions, using the cannabis registration and licensing ordinances to determine and/or investigate cannabis sites for application approval, compliance and review for renewal. Additionally, incumbents prepare written reports and detailed case correspondence and are required to represent the Planning Department and to testify in administrative hearings and courts of law as necessary.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Conduct investigations, including on-site inspections, to substantiate building, zoning, environmental and related violations;
• Issue warning notices and notices of violations of County land use ordinances and codes;
• Prepare documents to record or expunge violations from property title through appropriate agencies;
• Gather and compile information and documentation in support of legal cases;
• Verify compliance with permit conditions, zoning and environmental ordinances and other applicable laws and regulations governing land use and building standards;
• Work in coordination with staff within the department, with other County departments and land use agencies to bring violations into compliance with County codes and regulations;
• Analyze information gathered during investigations and make recommendations as to how to proceed with cases per established procedures;
• Recommend referral of cases and/or information to other applicable agencies; work in coordination with staff of other regulatory or law enforcement agencies;
• Confer with County Counsel, District Attorney's Office, and Planning Department staff concerning cases under investigation;
• Request, obtain and execute inspection warrants when authorized;
• Appear as a witness in administrative hearings and courts of law;
• Keep detailed records of investigations;
• Compile and prepare written and oral reports on investigations and prepare correspondence;
• Maintain case files and provide case management for assigned cases;
• Deal with uncooperative and potentially hostile individuals;
• Input, access and analyze data using a computer;
• Conduct field reconnaissance to identify abandoned, dismantled and inoperative vehicles as a result of public complaints;
• Issue "vehicle to be towed" warnings;
• Explain vehicle abatement procedures to the public, vehicle owners and other interested parties;
• Investigate reports of neglected properties;
• Issue abatement notices as required;
• Explain abatement procedures to the public and other interested parties.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Code Compliance Investigator I

Working knowledge of:

• Office procedures and practices, including preparation of correspondence, reports and filing.
• Record keeping procedures and practices.

Some knowledge of:

• Procedures used in gathering and compiling information.
• Interviewing principles and techniques.

Code Compliance Investigator II

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

• Zoning, building and environmental ordinances.
• Regulations, laws and other ordinances governing land use.
• Principles, methods and techniques used in investigations and enforcement work including appropriate legal requirements and constraints.

Some knowledge of:

• Rules of evidence and court procedures.
• Federal, State and local land use regulatory agencies.
• Uniform building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Code Compliance Investigator III

Thorough knowledge of the above.

Working knowledge of:

• Investigative techniques and procedures.
• Intermediate mathematics.

Ability to:

Code Compliance Investigator I

• Maintain accurate and legible field notes and document actions taken.
• Learn and apply routine inspection procedures.
• Read and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with the public in stressful situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, the general public, officials, and personnel of other agencies.
• Read, interpret and apply zoning, environmental and building ordinances and related regulations, laws and other ordinances governing land use in an objective, accurate way.
• Research regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials relating to code enforcement. Read and understand plot plans, topographic maps, building plans and elevations.
• Take initiative in carrying out direction and in formulating creative solutions to problems.
• Complete thorough, accurate investigations of violations and follow up to achieve compliance.
• Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.
• Perform intermediate mathematics to determine ordinance violations.?
• Gather and evaluate facts and evidence and draw logical conclusions.
• Collect and preserve evidence of violations.
• Explain technical terms and concepts to the public.
• Write simple and clear reports and correspondence.
• Work well individually and as a member of a professional and technical team.
• Bend, squat, climb and twist such as while conducting a site inspection under a house, in an attic or walking through brush.
• Walk over uneven terrain such as unpaved roads, hills, trails, construction sites, and streams.
• Perform tasks, which require coordination and balance, such as walking on narrow ledges or on logs to cross streams.

Code Compliance Investigator II

All of the above, plus:

• Testify in administrative hearings and courts of law.
• Synthesize case issues, ordinances and legal requirements and make recommendations for departmental actions.

Code Compliance Investigator III

All of the above, plus:

• Prepare clear, concise, descriptive technical written and oral reports and correspondence.
• Make detailed presentations on complex issues to internal and community groups and decision making communities, commissions, and boards.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Code Compliance Investigator I One year of experience dealing with the public which has included handling stressful situations, interviewing and record keeping.

OR

Completion of 15 semester units of course work in law enforcement or a related field AND six months of experience dealing with the public which has included handling stressful situations, interviewing and record keeping.

OR

Six months of investigative experience.

Code Compliance Investigator II One year of code enforcement experience.

Code Compliance Investigator III Two years of code enforcement experience

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures; slippery surfaces; loud noises; sunburn; dust and pollen; silica dust such as asbestos in old homes; bee stings; infections, such as tick-borne Lyme disease or mosquito-borne encephalitis; angry or hostile persons; corrosive chemicals; wetness, such as while walking in the rain or through a stream on a site inspection.

Note: This classification has a 6-month probationary period.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Code Compliance Specialist III, II, I, Trainee

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 03

Occupational Grouping: 28

Workers' Comp Code: 0285

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