The purpose of this classification is to perform work functions associated with development services for the City of Tuscaloosa. Work includes a variety of technical assignments for the enforcement of applicable city codes, including permitting and the inspection, investigation, and enforcement of code violations on all property within the City’s jurisdiction to help improve awareness and compliance for littering, refuse accumulations and junk, solid waste collection, short-term rentals, and zoning. The position provides information, consultation, issues citations/court summons and notices, and interprets codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, violations, and penalties to owners and occupants to facilitate resolution, corrective action, and improve compliance.

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Provides information and assistance to the public, city departments, other agencies, and neighborhood groups regarding city code, ordinances, regulations, zoning regulations, application procedures, policies, and related items.

Processes minor development applications and reviews of business licenses, building permits, sign permits, and Certificates of Occupancy for compliance with city regulations.

Determine if violations are present at reported properties and enforces residential, commercial, and multifamily complex nuisance complaints and zoning complaints related to unsanitary conditions, structural maintenance, and land use and development received by the Mayor and/or City Council, departments, and other means, including civic platform.

Independently locates and investigates public and private property for violations and encourages violators to comply with ordinances or regulations through verbal and written notices letters, and other means including legal action when required.

Coordinates with Building and Inspections, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue, Accounting and Finance, and other city departments and divisions on violation cases.

Utilizes databases and data to proactively assess and assist in development services and enforcement; adds to databases through documentation.

Conducts investigations on reported violations, including inspections and interviews with tenants/occupants, neighbors, contractors, workers, or property owners to evaluate validity. Determines if violations are present at the reported property.

Identifies and resolves difficulties; ensures the appropriate methods are utilized in accordance to department policies and procedures. Coordinates the notification of property owners or violators as required by code, regulation, department policy, or State statute for any action taken.

Responds to inquiries regarding registered complaints and results.

Prepares correspondence, reports, charts, presentations, and other materials as needed.

Maintains records of inspections and city ordinance violations; collects evidence to present in court if necessary. Assists with hearings and trials, which may include providing witness testimony.

Investigates abandoned vehicles; writes and issues citations; tows abandoned vehicles; attends and testifies in court as necessary.

Stays abreast of changes in pertinent ordinances; informs citizens of rules and regulation of related ordinances.

Patrols assigned areas in vehicle and on foot; reports emergencies.

Responds to requests for information or assistance from employees, officials, and the public; responds to calls from the public concerning problems, complaints, or emergency situations.

Receives, reviews, and/or prepares documentation, records, reports; forwards to appropriate personnel or maintains files.

Performs preventive maintenance on vehicles and equipment used in performance of duties, specifically: maintaining fluid levels, checking tires, and cleaning vehicles.

Assists public in completing permit applications.

Attends special meetings, which may include presenting/providing information related to development services and code enforcement; serves on various boards and committees and works with departments and associations

Organizes and supervises community involvement, public relations, and community service programs; assists with transportation to/from special events.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the City.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Documents all actions, complying with all department or division standards, taken from initial investigation through the attainment of compliance, abatement, or judicial/administrative referral, maintaining an activity log, preparing various records and reports for respective supervisors or other City officials.

Performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or GED required; two (2) years of experience in customer service, code enforcement, code administration, building inspections, building construction, municipal planning, other regulatory or law enforcement capacity, or a closely related field required; Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning, Criminal Justice, Building Science, Construction Management, or a related field preferred; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must possess and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy machines, telephone, and motor vehicle. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light to moderate work depending on the type of duties performed at the time. Duties may involve administrative/office work or field work that could include bending, lifting, walking, carrying, etc.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include maps, forms, reports, blueprints, legal ordinances/documents, directories, procedural manuals and operational manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange legal, public relations, and personnel-related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public, regulatory agencies, the mayor, and city council.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of public regulations, legal, and personnel-related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice such as in public speaking situations before the city council, courts, community groups, and the general public.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand legal, public relations, and planning information and operational principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, such as in a public speaking situation, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, determine time and weight, and utilize basic geometric formulas.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, using job related equipment, which includes drafting instruments, standard measuring devices, and recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using job-related equipment; required to operate motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, machinery, automated office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. The worker needs to relate to people in situation involving more than giving or receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.

City of Tuscaloosa

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