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Code Compliance Investigator II

Fairfax County Government
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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 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.

As certified by the state of Virginia (VDHCD) and/or appointed by the relevant Code Official to do so on their behalf, the Code Compliance Investigator II conducts research; field investigations; interviews with residents/community; gathers evidence; and applies a variety of investigative techniques regarding alleged code violations – to include preparation of material for testimony in court and/or other adjudicative bodies (e.g. Board of Zoning Appeals; Local Board of Building Code Appeals). Investigators issue formal Notices of Violation and will communicate with those found in violation to advise of the nature of the violation and provide information on methods to achieving compliance. Investigators are responsible for placarding unsafe premises when necessary. Investigators must communicate with other stakeholders, including complainants; general public; Board of Supervisor’s Staff; and outside governmental agencies, in order to provide educational and other information to support the activities of the agency. Duties are performed under the direction of a division supervisor. 
 
Position may be underfilled as a Code Compliance Investigator I (S22); the Underfill Requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.

Illustrative Duties

 

(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, 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 coordinate with other county/state/federal agencies when issues have overlapping or joint responsibilities.

 

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:   
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
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, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus two 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).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

  • Two years’ minimum experience interpreting state and/or county codes and regulations related to zoning, noise, property maintenance, residential, and/or commercial building codes;
  • Experience with Planning and Land Use System (PLUS);
  • Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and fellow employees;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and 
  • Case management experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

  • Must have and maintain a valid motor vehicle driver's license;

Must possess two certifications from the following areas as defined by the position description:

  • Property Maintenance- Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD);
  • Zoning- Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
  • Building Certification-(VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in residential construction;

 OR

  • Building Certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in commercial construction.

(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire an alternate necessary certification within a specified time period following employment which may be substituted for one of the above certifications. The certifications that may be substituted are identified below, in the position description and employment advertisement.)

  • Fire Certification as ICC Fire Inspector I


UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as a Code Compliance Investigator I (Grade S22; 61,257.25 - $102,095.55 ). The employment standards for the Code Compliance Investigator I are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) 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, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

  • Must have and maintain a valid motor vehicle driver's license;

Must possess one certification from any of the following areas as defined by the position description:

  • Property Maintenance- Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD);
  • Zoning -Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
  • Building certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in residential construction;

 OR

  • Building Certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in commercial construction;


(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire an alternate necessary certification within a specified time period following employment which may be substituted for one of the above certifications. The certifications that may be substituted are identified below, in the position description and employment advertisement.)

  • Fire Certification as ICC Fire Inspector

Applicants hired at the Code Compliance Investigator I will be non-competitively promoted to the Code Compliance Investigator II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.  
 
Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Code Compliance Investigator II within two years of the job announcement's closing date.
 
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. 
     
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to climb, walk/traverse rough, icy, or broken terrain: go up and down steep inclines. Ability to distinguish appropriate nomenclature in colors in accordance with the VUSBC and other regulatory codes. Ability to exit structures quickly in case of an emergency/life safety situation. Ability to lawfully operate a county vehicle. Ability to lift 50 lbs. with assistance. Must be able to operate eqpt. Work requires the ability to speak clearly and understandably. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
         
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
 
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
 
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314.DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.