Code Compliance Investigator III

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) responds to over 8,000 complaints each year related to property maintenance, unpermitted construction, zoning, and other violations of County code. DCC seeks compliance with county/state codes and ordinances in achieving the mission of the agency: to promote, protect, and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County. The work of the agency is further guided by an annual Equity Impact Plan, in conjunction with the county’s One Fairfax Policy and commitment to consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services.

The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.

• Conducts initial interviews over the phone or face‑to‑face with complainants to determine the exact nature of complaint and requests further pertinent information;
• Investigates zoning, property maintenance, noise ordinance, and/or unpermitted construction complaints;
• Addresses life safety issues as priorities (unsafe construction, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions such as hoarding);
• Advises violators of ordinance requirements and seeks to gain voluntary compliance;
• Develops investigation plans and coordinates with other agencies or investigators;
• Conducts field investigations and gathers as much evidence as possible within constitutional/fourth amendment constraints;
• Gathers evidence such as photographs, violator and witness statements, and computer and file research;
• Conducts field interviews with violators;
• Recommends the opening of additional cases where the type and extent of violations merits;
• Prepares automated reports of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable codes based on analysis of investigation findings and maintains investigation files;
• Records coded entries in designated database for tracking purposes;
• Prepares and issues Notice of Violations, Stop Work Orders, Corrective Work Orders, Unsafe structures reports, memoranda and other correspondence and initiates corrective procedures to obtain voluntary compliance;
• Prepares evidentiary chronologies and Rule to Show Cause for submission to the County Attorney’s Office for civil litigation;
• Prepares evidentiary material and for presentation in general district court for the purpose of unclassed misdemeanor prosecutions;
• Employs unique investigative techniques such as stake‑outs, neighborhood canvasses, etc. to gain critical information relating to cases;
• Swears to civil affidavits and criminal summonses;
• Testifies in civil and criminal court proceedings, Board of Zoning Appeal hearings, and Board of Building Code Appeal hearings;
• Responds to citizens’ queries concerning zoning and property maintenance and other matters;
• Appears at civic association meeting to present educational material;
• Condemns and placards unsafe structures which are dangerous to life, health, and safety of occupants and the public and board up entrances and openings into the structure;
• Conducts follow‑ups to ensure that violations have been abated or court ordered mandates have been implemented;
• May assist in the preparation and/or review of draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance;
• May coordinate with other county/state/federal agencies when issues have overlapping or joint responsibilities;
• May perform field training for new employees.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biology or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus four years of relative work experience in the area of code enforcement or equivalent (e.g., performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, or related code enforcement, inspection, investigative or abatement work).

• Valid driver’s license
• Property Maintenance Certification…