GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB  Under general supervision performs complex enforcement duties to ensure that the City's rental housing, Property maintenance and zoning ordinances, and the Virginia Maintenance Codes are enforced. Work involves investigating and conducting on-site inspections of properties in accordance with the policies and procedures of the department. Work also involves educating the public on property maintenance codes and compliance as well as answering the public's questions regarding non-complex zoning regulations governing signs, permitted use of property and parking restrictions. As in training new code enforcement inspectors. Performs special duties such as administering the Third Party Elevator Inspection program, Annual Commercial Swimming Pool Inspection program, Commercial Reinspection Program and leads special inspection teams on special assignments. Performs systematic sweeps and surveys of neighborhoods throughout the city as directed by management to foster compliance with the international, state and local codes and ordinances. Employee must be courteous in contact with public officials, developers, contractors, and general public. Acts in place of the Manager of Code Enforcement in his/her absence. Reports to the Manager of Code Enforcement.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS   Enforces the Virginia Maintenance and Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Codes and the City's property maintenance, housing, and zoning ordinances.   Investigates complaints and inspects property for violation of state codes and local ordinances; notify appropriate parties of violations, obtains summons and testifies in court cases involving properties in violation of said codes and ordinances; conduct follow up inspections; determines need for interagency and/or division inspections, condemn properties that are deemed unsafe for human habitation and determines departmental follow up action.   Assists Manager of Code Enforcement in the preparation of properties for demolition.   Conducts inspections involving all portions of the City Ordinances, state and international codes. Administers the Third Party Elevator Inspection program.   Conducts annual inspections of commercial/public swimming pools in conjunction with the Health Department.   Conducts inspections for Commercial Reinspection Program and leads special inspection teams on special assignments.   Prepares, directs and supervises assignments of inspection staff and teams in the absence of the Manager of Code Enforcement.   Conducts inspections in areas assigned to other staff, in their absence, involving all portions of the City Ordinances, state and international codes.   Conducts research information on violator; prepares and sends violation notices per departmental policy. Contracts weed and debris removal, and boarding of vacant structures.   Refers the removal of inoperative motor vehicles to a towing company.   Refers cases to and appears before the Portsmouth Building Code Board of Appeals.   Refers cases to and appears at the Administrative Hearing with supervisor and property owner. Conducts Administrative Hearing in place of the Manager of Code Enforcement in his/her absence. as necessary.   Meets with citizens, property owners and realtors; answers questions concerning departmental policy. Meets with civic leagues and the general public; answers questions concerning departmental policy.   Attends meeting and provides input based on expertise and observations, as appropriate. Posts Violation notices on properties of unknown or absentee owners.   Attends training classes, workshops, etc. as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of code enforcement.   Conducts training to teach new inspection staff and reinforce policies and procedures for seasoned inspection staff. Recommends training measures for staff.   Recommends legal action against unresponsive or absentee property owners. Prepares cases for court. Delivers summons to magistrate, as per departmental and judicial policy.   Testifies in court.   ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS  Performs various clerical duties including pulling files, making copies and answering the telephone.   Inspects and reviews work assigned to contractor; approves or disproves the work in accordance to departmental guidelines.   Performs lead inspections (if not certified, refers findings to a qualified Lead Risk Assessor).   Prepares data for monthly reports as needed and performs more complicated administrative duties related to property maintenance, and code enforcement functions.   Is considered essential personnel for the purposes of performing the damage assessment portion of the City Emergency Operations plan.   Performs other related work as required.   Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS  Knowledge of Work: Has considerable knowledge of the departmental procedures used to perform Property maintenance /zoning inspections. Property maintenance code and the technical fundamentals on which it is based to make informed decisions. Knowledge of the technical fundamentals of residential property construction, deterioration, and maintenance; basic health and sanitary housing requirements; and how to conduct effective inspections that result in compliance. Must have a basic knowledge of the City Zoning Ordinance in order to spot obvious violations. Is skilled in the use of an infrared thermometer, circuit tester and various types of inspection and office equipment. Is skilled in writing and reviewing of technical reports. Is able to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.   Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibilities. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within division and department and with the general public.   Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Specific Duties and Responsibilities".   Dependability: Assumes responsibilities for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Complete assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, City policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the administrative, human and conceptual areas.   Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.   Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.   Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.   Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of it. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified, i.e. poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the division.   Relationship with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morals among all division employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons in order to maintain good will within the City. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.   Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.   Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the City and regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace. MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE  Graduation from High School; 8+ years responsible work experience in property maintenance, housing and zoning inspections; or any related code enforcement experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. * Certification as an ICC/VA Property Maintenance Inspector, and Va. Building Maintenance Official required. ICC Zoning Inspector or VAZO Zoning Official also required     ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check.  A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.   Certification in FEMA IS 100, 200, 559, 700, 800 required within one year of hire.   Certification as an ICC Housing and Zoning Code Specialist, Housing Code Official or Certified Building Official required within 18 months of hire.   Additional code enforcement certifications highly desirable or preferred.   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS  Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery including computers, calculators and copiers, etc. Must be capable of pushing and pulling up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 25 lbs. of force frequently to lift, push, pull or otherwise to move objects. Physical requirements are for those for light to medium work.   Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.   Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors; giving instructions, assignment or directions to subordinates and advising the public on divisional policies.   Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of inspection reports, codes, policy manuals, guidelines, etc. Requires ability to prepare correspondence, reports, compliance certificates, rental waivers, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.   Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.   Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and professional languages including Property maintenance and public health terminology.   Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.   Formal/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to interpret zoning ordinance and maps to ensure compliance with policies set forth therein.   Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and inspection tools.   Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and inspection tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.   Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.   Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Must be adaptable to performing under variable levels of stress.   Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear. (Talking: expressing ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: Perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.