Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

This position will be open until filled. To be considered in the first review of applicants you must apply by August 19th.

Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the incumbent will perform research and site inspections to investigate possible violations or compliance issues of land-use, building, housing, utility, environmental, health, safety, and nuisance codes. This includes pursuing compliance with various sections of the Lake Stevens Municipal Code and maintaining accurate and detailed code compliance documents. The incumbent is part of a collaborative work team, including other City Staff, Police, Fire, and Legal Departments.

The incumbent will be responsive to inquiries from members of the public, contractors, developers and co-workers to resolve violations. This position may be responsible for developing educational programs, implementation strategies, and information in an effort to assist citizens in avoiding code violations.

Work is performed under limited supervision. Supervisor sets the overall objectives and provides resources as available. Incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. Incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives.

Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

Lake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community with a population of over 42,000 residents. Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities.

The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.

The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Retirement through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Deferred compensation with city match.
• Excellent healthcare options including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
• Paid leave including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• Tuition reimbursement!

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responds to and investigates citizen complaints concerning alleged or potential land use and building code violations in coordination with other affected staff and departments.
• Conducts field investigations, gathers, and analyzes information, makes findings, and conducts follow-up inspections to verify compliance, and takes appropriate action within level of authority.
• Meets with owners, tenants, contractors, developers, and businesses to review and explain code requirements, violations or potential violations, and secure code compliance.
• Inspects damaged or deteriorating structures to determine needed repairs; investigates alleged violations of building and land use ordinances as well as various other nuisance codes as assigned.
• Researches, organizes, and maintains documentation on code violations, including remedial actions.
• Prepares cases for filing or submission for prosecution; gives testimony on behalf of the City at court hearings and public forums; attends and represents the City at violation appeal hearings.
• Prepares and presents reports, evidence, and testimony on behalf of the City.
• Interprets and explains ordinances, codes, and regulations; communicates with fire, law enforcement, water, sewer and other community and governmental agencies in the performance of code enforcement duties in coordination with appropriate staff.
• Maintains a variety of logs and records management system related to inspection and enforcement activities; enters all inspection reports, code enforcement documents and letters into the city's permit tracking system and address filing system.
• Writes, prepares, and distributes letters, correspondence, and written reports.
• Develops, organizes, and implements the code enforcement program and procedures; propose updates to the procedures or city codes.
• Assists with public inquiries at the front counter.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.

Peripheral duties may include:

• May attend City Council meetings as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands described here…