JOB POSTING: Code Enforcement Commissioner

Principal Function

The Code Enforcement Commissioner is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Code Enforcement Department, and for inspecting and enforcing codes in the areas of housing and property maintenance of structures, yards, and alleys, and for working with contractors and homeowners to mitigate issues related to code compliance within the City of Hammond, and all other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Initiates and maintains a system for taking public complaints and evaluates, reviews, and resolves complaints related to code enforcement, or assigns them to the appropriate District Inspector.
2. Enforces city ordinances when violations are present.
3. Issues emergency orders when immediate action is required to protect public health and safety.
4. Administers Chapter 150 of the Hammond Municipal Code pertaining to substandard and condemned buildings.
5. Inspects dwellings for minimum code requirements to permit occupancy, and identifies hazards which could result in serious injury or death if not discovered.
6. Conducts inspections of all residential and commercial properties to ensure that they are maintained in compliance with all property maintenance requirements and identifies those code violations which would deem the property uninhabitable by contacting the owner and posting notices on the property to that effect.
7. Orders approved property maintenance vendors to cut and clean the property every three weeks, billing the City of Hammond for services rendered and then files those accumulated charges as liens attached to the property.
8. Conducts job site investigations to verify contractors are properly licensed and have obtained the proper permits for the work being performed.
9. Oversees and maintains the rental registration program and database for the City of Hammond and represents the city during rental registration late fee appeals brought before the Board of Public Works & Safety.
10. Institutes legal proceedings against those responsible for violations, testifies in court and appears on behalf of the Code Enforcement Department in front of the Board of Public Works & Safety during hearings for properties which have not been brought into compliance or require findings and orders affirmed.
11. Compiles, reviews, and submits quarterly and monthly reports for the Chief of Inspections, and others as requested.
12. Conducts thorough and extensive research of historical property records and building permit records to determine legality of dwelling units thorough the use of various computer software programs and historical handwritten records.
13. Maintains records of all inspections performed within the Code Enforcement Department.
14. Cultivates a working relationship between community leaders and neighborhood organizations to better serve the residents throughout the various districts in the City of Hammond by maintaining open lines of communication and creating a pathway to provide information pertaining to the responsibilities of homeowners which ultimately leads to a greater percentage of properties in compliance.
15. Prepares, implements, tracks, and then manages the annual budget for the Code Enforcement Department.
16. Establishes guidelines, processes and procedures for the Code Enforcement Department.
17. Develops short and long-term goals for the Code Enforcement Department.
18. Evaluates all Code Enforcement Department programs on a continual basis in order to keep up with emerging trends.
19. Assists the Code Enforcement Department with answering the phones and fielding questions from the public.
20. Performs the duties of the Inspectors during their absence.
21. Communicates with and between all city offices/departments, and the Chief of Inspections, as needed.
22. Attends all meetings, conferences, training sessions, etc., as required by the City of Hammond and the department.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises employees who work in the Code Enforcement Department to include: the Commercial & Safety Inspector, and District Inspectors. Employee carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling and approving time worked; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Competencies

To perform this job successfully, all employees at the City of Hammond should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Public Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping one’s emotions under control; Solicits feedback to improve service.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views and is willing to try new things; Gives and welcomes feedback from team members; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Builds morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Oral and Written Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions verbally and in a written format; Writes clearly and informatively and edits work for spelling and grammar; Reads and interprets written information; Presents numerical data effectively, as required by the job.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes the essential duties and responsibilities of the job correctly and on time; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments, as required; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity; Participates in meetings; Supports the municipality’s goals and values; Represents the municipality in a positive manner when engaged in outside activities.

Job-related Competencies

To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Project Management – Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

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.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required; and Associate’s Degree (A.A.) in construction management, business management, or related field is desired; and three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Previous code enforcement experience in a municipality or government-related job is required. Previous supervisory experience is desired.

Other Skills and Abilities

The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• The ability to learn office and municipality-specific software within a reasonable timeframe is desired.
• The ability to utilize a broad knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques to formulate and coordinate activities and functions with the City of Hammond is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances as they relate to code enforcement is required.
• A comprehensive understanding and knowledge of minimum housing standards and property maintenance requirements is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge and the ability to conduct code enforcement inspections is required.
• The ability to read and understand building plans and blueprints is required.
• The ability to use electrical tools and testing equipment, a camera, tape measure, level, and other small hand tools used during the inspection process is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge of all municipal operations within the City of Hammond is required.
• A comprehensive understanding of City of Hammond policies and procedures as they relate to the Code Enforcement and Inspections Department is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge of both the Code Enforcement and Inspections Departments policies, procedures, standards, internal controls, and work methods and the ability to enforce them is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the licensing process with regards to contractors, is required.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the building permitting process is required.
• A basic understanding and knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles and practices and report writing, while paying close attention to detail is required.
• A comprehensive understanding and knowledge of purchasing processes and procedures is required.
• Familiarity with government agencies, consultants, contractors, and vendors associated with the Code Enforcement and Inspections Department is required.
• The ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationship with the public, vendors and other City of Hammond departments is required.
• The ability to make sound and rational decisions including exercising independent judgment within established protocols and guidelines is required.
• The ability to assess and determine a problem and come up with a sound rational conclusion or solution in a code enforcement-related environment is required.
• The ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment while providing exceptional customer service is required.
• The ability to resolve conflicts between employees and between employees and the public is required.
• The ability to recognize confidential information and to keep that information confidential as required by state statutes and internal office processes, procedures, and guidelines is required.
• The ability to remain current with all required licenses, certifications and in-service requirements is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, calculator, and other office equipment is required.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

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 to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to move up to 50 pounds and may use a cart, dolly, or other 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 is frequently exposed to working near mechanical parts and electrical shock when working with office equipment and outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to work in high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required on a job site may include: gloves, rubber steel-toed boots, safety glasses/goggles, hard hat, hair covering, protective coat, safety vest, hazmat suit, and various respirators to include: dust mask, chemical cartridge, and/or supplied air, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The department will provide all PPE as required by the job.

The Inspections – Code Enforcement Department is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and this job may require work beyond these hours and on the weekends and on holidays, as needed. The job also requires that the employee be on-call and then called-in to work, as needed. The employee will be required to drive City of Hammond vehicles or their own vehicle to job sites. Thus, a valid driver’s license is required and the employee must be able to be insured by the city.