Zoning Enforcement Officer

The purpose of this position is to enforce, investigate, coordinate, direct, assist and advise the code enforcement staff regarding the enforcement and investigation of violations of various Lancaster County codes and ordinances, to prepare and maintain required documentation; to prepare for and assist in presentation at court hearings, and to perform related work as required. This position is responsible for conducting field investigations to identify code violations;

interviews and obtains statements as necessary from violators, witnesses, and persons filing complaints. Receives, investigates, and responds to citizen inquires/complaints regarding County Codes and Ordinances. The class works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

Assists and coordinates the daily task of Code Enforcement. This includes assisting staff with cases and providing input and insight on processing violations; ensuring that cases are processed in a timely manner and in accordance with our procedures and policies; maintaining communication with staff and supervisors to ensure that information regarding cases is conveyed accurately.

Receives, investigates and responds to public inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints regarding County codes and ordinances. Presents code cases and attends court hearings.

Conducts field investigations to identify code violations; interviews and obtains statements as necessary from violators, witnesses and confidential informers; conducts visual surveillance of properties as necessary.

Prepares and submits notices of confirmed violations; provides to appropriate individuals written and verbal explanations of all options for violation abatement.

Assists various County officials with investigations and enforcement through respective departments.

Prepares and maintains accurate and up-to-date case files, records and reports; maintains up-to-date computer database of cases.

Researches the zoning and ownerships of each non-compliant property.

Receives and receipts various fees and fines.

• Reads, comprehends, interprets, analyzes and explains codes and ordinances to the public.
• Assists the Sheriff's Department and DHEC in investigating code violations.
• Assists the Fire Prevention Department with cases and court hearing.
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
• Attends training, seminars, meetings, etc., to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Stays abreast of statutory regulations, requirements and changes that relate to assigned programs and projects.
• Perform general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, attending meetings, etc. Prepares presentations for hearings and court cases. Prepares, serves and delivers summonses and subpoenas for code violators. Informs supervisors of case status on a regular basis.

• Completion of Bachelor's degree.
• Requires three years of code enforcement or law enforcement experience.

• Upper State Code Enforcement Association/South Carolina Litter Association preferred.

• Knowledge of county zoning ordinances.
• Knowledge of building and code standards.
• Skilled in researching property ownership.
• Communicates with and supervises code enforcement staff.
• Reads, comprehends, interprets, analyzes, and explain codes and ordinances to the public.
• Skilled in preparing case files including establishment of legal owners, and other information necessary to conduct investigations and enforce codes.
• Skilled in documenting violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data.
• Maintains case files and prepares evidence to present in court as necessary.

• ADMINISTRATOR:
  Work is directly related to assisting with running or servicing of the business or department.
• Perform professional level work requiring a wide range of administrative, technical, scientific, engineering, accounting, legal, or managerial methods applied to complex problems.
• Example:
  May plan or direct the sequence of department or division activities.
• Supervise, instruct, or train others through explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice or make recommendations based on technical expertise; may have first-level supervisory duties including administration of performance feedback; or coordinate work activity schedules for teams.
• Communicate with internal and external groups, write manuals and complex reports, persuade or influence others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action.
• Perform management and supervisory work involving policy and guideline interpretation, solving both people and work-related problems.
• Manage inventory, property, or loss control.
• Manage or administer budget within assigned department.
• Use computers for…