Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

Code enforcement officers perform a variety of field and office work to ensure compliance with property maintenance, minimum housing standards, ordinances, and land use regulations. The position works closely with zoning and building staff to safeguard existing and new developments throughout the county against the impact of deferred property maintenance and inappropriate land use.

• Responsible for enforcement of minimum housing standards, minimum maintenance standards for commercial buildings, environmental codes, abandoned or derelict properties, land development regulations, occupational licensing, and related codes and ordinances.
• Knowledge of the various codes and inspection procedures and exercise of initiative and judgement to identify violations to codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Effectively correspond with citizens, HOAs, and business and property owners in a tactful manner. Possess a high level of attention to detail. Routinely use office equipment such as computers for various applications, phones, cameras, photocopiers, filling systems and fax machines to engage the public and collaborate with other departments.
• Maintains records of enforcement activities; enters data regarding work activities and violations into computer system; maintains comprehensive case files; and conducts records maintenance activities in compliance with guidelines governing record retention.
• Ability to receive, investigate, and process complaints; enforce city codes and ordinances; and prepare cases for code enforcement court hearings.
• Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge of applicable codes, ordinance, regulations, and standards; maintains an awareness of code enforcement methods, practices, trends, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Education:

High School diploma/G.E.D.

Experience:

Three (3) years of work experience to include at least one (1) year of experience in one of the following disciplines: code enforcement, zoning, blight remediation, property maintenance, building inspections, law enforcement, or plan review.

• Extensive knowledge of municipal codes and regulatory frameworks, including zoning, property maintenance, construction/trade codes, and associated legal processes.
• Strong familiarity with the geography, infrastructure, and development patterns of Augusta–Richmond County.
• Advanced investigative and analytical skills, including the ability to research property ownership, interpret maps and spatial data, and analyze information from multiple databases and records systems.
• High level of technical proficiency with computers, case management systems, GIS platforms, and standard office software and equipment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical and regulatory information to diverse audiences, including public presentations.
• Ability to independently analyze complex situations and exercise sound judgment in code interpretation and compliance matters.
• Strong aptitude for interpreting and applying codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures with accuracy and consistency.
• Skilled in identifying non-compliance through observation, analysis, and evaluation of site conditions and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to apply regulations fairly, consistently, and objectively in a regulatory environment.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate tactfully, resolve concerns, and build cooperative relationships with the public.
• Ability to manage and de-escalate potentially confrontational situations using appropriate conflict resolution techniques while maintaining professionalism and safety.
• Strong research and data analysis capabilities to support informed decision-making and case development.
• High attention to detail with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and thorough documentation, reports, and…