Step into a role where your attention to detail and commitment to community help shape a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant Butte. As a Code Enforcement Officer, you’ll be the eyes and ears of our city—ensuring properties align with Montana and Butte Municipal Codes and upholding the standards that keep our neighborhoods thriving. You’ll investigate potential violations, engage property owners with clarity and professionalism, and take action to resolve issues that affect public health and safety. When needed, you’ll roll up your sleeves to remove debris and restore order and participate in invasive plant management. This isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about stewardship. You’ll serve as a bridge between residents and regulations, helping people understand their responsibilities while fostering pride in our shared spaces and community.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to inspect and enforce local and state ordinances and codes, as well as to investigate complaints of non-compliance within the community enrichment department including, but not limited to, weed, junk motor vehicles, zoning, and community decay enforcement. The work is performed under the general direction of the Community Enrichment Director, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with their assigned supervisor, Law Enforcement, County Attorney, Planning Department, City Court Judge, Parks Department, Public Works Department, other departmental personnel, local businesses, homeowners, contractors, engineers, other City employees, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed at various properties and/or construction sites with exposure to a variety of weather conditions and terrains.

Examples Of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

Investigates and notifies the property owner of the property on which there is a violation.
Assists in administration of State codes and Butte Silver-Bow ordinances, including inspecting investigating and complaints of non-compliance, informing all violators and any complainants of related regulations and recommends possible solutions and/or alternatives to ensure compliance, enforcing compliance with the City ordinances and relevant codes, including issuing notices and non-compliance violations as necessary, and performing follow-up inspections to ensure compliance issues are resolved or addressed in a timely and efficient manner.
Provides information to violators, the general public, business community and other government agencies regarding codes, laws, and ordinances, and responds to questions, complaints, and inquiries.
Maintains, accurate, daily record of inspections and prepares all related correspondence and documentation for mailing to violators and/or complainants.
Takes any necessary measures to ensure prosecution of violators, including gathering and compiling evidence and proper documentation for court procedures, and presenting cases in court, as necessary.
Retrieves and removes debris (garbage, tires, etc.) when violators cannot be identified.
Identifies invasive exotic and native plant species.
Mixes, loads and applies herbicides in full accordance with the label.
Operates and repairs spray equipment.
Operates truck with trailer, ATV and UTV.
Maintains a positive and professional working relationship with management, attorneys, area merchants, citizens, and the general public.
Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
Responds to abandoned vehicles and contacts owners to cite code violations and remedies to avoid an official citation.
Conducts follow-up investigations of properties previously determined to be in violation of city codes; issues citations as a result of the failure of the owner to correct violations; or proceeds with legal abatement as appropriate.
Inspects and declares properties as condemned or badly deteriorated and identified for razing.
Receives and investigates citizen complaints of alleged property maintenance violations and repair or razing.
Performs all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner, specifically, complies with the Health & Safety Program; maintains work area in a safe and orderly manner; identifies and reports unsafe conditions; reports all accidents; wears required personal protective equipment; and attends safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
Performs all duties and work assignments in compliance with project-quality requirements.
Acts responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Thorough knowledge of City ordinances and codes, including weeds, planning/zoning, snow removal, community enrichment, and junk motor vehicle).
Thorough knowledge of State codes.
Thorough knowledge of investigation techniques and methods of inspection.
Comprehensive knowledge of weed control methods and procedures.
Comprehensive knowledge of noxious weeds, herbicides, and biological control agents.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws; and rules and regulations pertaining to solid waste.
Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to demolitions.
Ability to document all aspects, details, and findings of complex investigations.
Ability to analyze maps, codes, and legal descriptions, and make appropriate judgments on compliance and non-compliance issues.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, citizens, employees, and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
Ability to use Microsoft applications effectively and efficiently (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.).
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

Acceptable Experience And Training

High School diploma or equivalent.
3-5 years of responsible work experience involving a high level of public contact.
Knowledge of local ordinances pertaining to litter control, community decay and weed control.
Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

Hazwopper Certified, or ability to obtain certification.
Must possess a current Montana Driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of time after employment.
Must possess a current Montana Pesticide Applicators Certified Operator's License or have the ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of time after employment.
Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance. See below.
- “2.08.010 Residence during employment. From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85
- 1, 1979)”

Essential Physical Abilities

Physical requirements include the ability to sit, stand, walk and the ability to conduct activities involving climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling/bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, and reaching as they are used daily on a moderate to substantial basis. This position must have the physical abilities to grasp and manipulate office equipment as well as tools, equipment and materials used in enforcement situations. The position requires the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds to assist in removal of refuse when violators cannot be identified and to mix chemicals for invasive plant management.
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with department personnel, other employees, representatives of other local, state, and federal agencies and the general public in person and by telephone.
Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a computer keyboard.
Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional City-County Information

This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities. Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.

ADA Accommodation Notice

The City-County of Butte–Silver Bow is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in the hiring process, please contact us.

About The City-County Of Butte-Silver Bow

We are a consolidated city-county government. We have an elected Chief Executive that leads the Executive Branch, along with twelve elected Council of Commissioners that represent each of our geographical districts. We are located in the heart of scenic Southwest Montana. Butte was established as a mining camp in the 1860’s and quickly became the nation’s biggest supplier of copper. Our headframes still dot the landscape, a reminder of what made us who we are. Our nickname is “Butte America,” but we also go by, "The Richest Hill on Earth.” Immigrants from Ireland, China, Lebanon, Austria, Greece, Italy, Mexico, and numerous other countries came to Butte to work in the mines, they came to Butte, America.

The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow jobs

Code Enforcement Officer