Code Compliance Officer

Job Description

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Police or designee, the Code Compliance Officer is a civilian position dedicated to proactive municipal code compliance, community education, and neighborhood improvement. The officer independently inspects residential, commercial, industrial, and vacant properties; investigates complaints; explains applicable City requirements; and manages cases through verified correction. Working within a small municipal team, the officer uses customer service, sound judgment, and consistent follow-up to achieve voluntary compliance when appropriate and pursue authorized enforcement when necessary. Responsibilities include monitoring and enforcing local ordinances and adopted codes related to zoning, land use, property maintenance, nuisance conditions, signs, illegal dumping, environmental concerns, and other assigned areas of compliance. This civilian position is dedicated to community compliance and does not perform sworn law enforcement duties. Essential Duties And Responsibilities The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

1. Independently plan and conduct routine field observations and inspections to identify, investigate, document, and address ordinance violations, recurring compliance concerns, and emerging neighborhood conditions, in addition to responding to complaints.
2. Inspect residential, commercial, vacant, and other properties for potential violations involving zoning, land use, outdoor storage, signs, property maintenance, nuisance conditions, inoperable vehicles, unsafe structures, rubbish, debris, high grass and weeds, illegal dumping, environmental concerns, and other applicable regulations within assigned authority.
3. Receive, investigate, and respond to citizen complaints and referrals from City departments, law enforcement agencies, and other governmental entities.
4. Conduct field investigations and interview complainants, witnesses, property owners, tenants, business owners, and other involved persons as necessary.
5. Research property ownership, addresses, legal descriptions, violation histories, prior enforcement actions, applicable ordinances, and other information necessary to conduct investigations.
6. Seek reasonable voluntary compliance through education, respectful communication, warnings, meetings, inspections, and corrective notices when appropriate. Listen to concerns, explain available options within City requirements, and identify practical paths to compliance within a reasonable timeframe.
7. Prepare, issue, serve, and/or post warnings, notices of violation, corrective notices, and other authorized enforcement documents. Prepare citation referrals or issue citations only as authorized by applicable Texas law, City ordinances, and the employee’s designation; coordinate prosecution with appropriate City and contracted personnel.
8. Manage assigned cases from initial contact through final disposition. Independently maintain and follow a calendar to schedule follow-up inspections, monitor corrective actions and deadlines, document results, and pursue timely escalation or closure with initiative and minimal supervision.
9. Maintain complete property-based case files identifying the parcel, current ownership, legally responsible parties, inspections, evidence, contacts, notices, deadlines, corrective actions, referrals, and final disposition. Track related court or cost-recovery matters separately from verification of compliance.
10. Photograph, diagram, measure, collect, preserve, and document evidence necessary to establish and substantiate violations, consistent with applicable law and policy.
11. Prepare reports, affidavits, notices, memoranda, correspondence, court documentation, and other records related to enforcement activities.
12. Prepare complete, organized case materials for municipal court and other judicial or administrative proceedings. Coordinate with prosecutors, the City Attorney, City officials, and appropriate personnel regarding evidence, case status, and requested corrective action.
13. Appear on behalf of the City as the investigating officer or witness in Municipal Court and other judicial or administrative proceedings when required. Present case findings within the assigned role, explain applicable ordinance provisions and corrective requirements, and provide clear, factual, professional testimony in coordination with the prosecutor or City Attorney.
14. Interpret and explain City ordinances, regulations, compliance requirements, and enforcement procedures in clear, understandable language. Identify the observed violation, applicable requirement, required corrective action, compliance deadline, and next steps; confirm understanding and provide written follow-up as appropriate.
15. Work cooperatively within a small municipal team, including other City departments, concerning building, zoning, land use, permitting, environmental concerns, property maintenance, and nuisance abatement. Communicate case status and coordinate technical determinations, specialized inspections, referrals, and follow-through with the appropriate officials.
16. Assist with inspections and other code compliance functions within the employee’s training, certification, legal authority, and assigned responsibilities.
17. Refer matters outside assigned authority or expertise to the appropriate building, police, fire, health, environmental, or other official or agency.
18. Use departmental computer systems and software to enter calls, complaints, inspection results, enforcement actions, photographs, reports, case notes, and other required information.
19. Identify recurring compliance problems, unclear ordinance provisions, and opportunities to improve public education, forms, notices, inspection procedures, and case management. Recommend practical improvements and assist with ordinance and procedure reviews as assigned.
20. Attend meetings, training, court proceedings, community events, and interdepartmental meetings as assigned.
21. Provide responsive, solution-oriented customer service and professional, impartial, courteous, and consistent enforcement. Maintain clear compliance expectations while seeking voluntary resolution when appropriate.
22. Operate City vehicles and assigned equipment safely and in accordance with applicable laws and City policies.
23. Maintain required registration, training, and continuing education applicable to code enforcement duties.
24. Coordinate authorized nuisance abatement with City staff, legal, and contractors after required notices, approvals, and procedures. Document completed work and expenses and assist with billing and preparation of authorized cost-recovery or lien documentation for review by appropriate City personnel.
25. Explain relevant permit and referral processes. Coordinate technical questions with specialized officials and refer requests for exceptions or legal advice to the appropriate authority.
26. Assist with neighborhood cleanups, targeted compliance efforts, and community outreach. Build working relationships with residents, businesses, community groups, and other agencies to address recurring conditions.
27. Provide periodic reports on workload, aging cases, corrective progress, repeat violations, and matters requiring management attention. Confirm correction through inspection or other reliable documentation before closing a compliance case.
28. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Education High school diploma or GED equivalent. Experience Two years of progressively responsible experience in municipal code enforcement, community compliance, property inspection, or related regulatory work involving substantial public contact is preferred. Experience independently managing cases, interpreting ordinances, and achieving corrective action is highly desirable, as is knowledge of zoning, land use, nuisance abatement, environmental compliance, and court or administrative hearing procedures. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. Candidates who do not meet the experience requirements may be considered for appointment as a Code Enforcement Officer in Training, subject to obtaining and maintaining the required TDLR registration, completing applicable training and examination requirements, and progressing toward full registration upon meeting the required experience qualifications. Required Licenses And Certifications

The employee must:

• Possess and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the operation of assigned vehicles.
• Possess and maintain current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation registration as a Code Enforcement Officer. Additional training or credentials in zoning, land use, property maintenance, nuisance abatement, or related subjects are desirable and may be required based on assigned duties. Knowledge Of

The employee should possess or develop working knowledge of:

• Texas laws and municipal procedures applicable to code enforcement, lawful inspections, notice, and evidence documentation;
• Municipal code enforcement practices and procedures;
• City of Granite Shoals ordinances;
• Zoning and land-use regulations;
• Property maintenance and nuisance abatement;
• Inoperable vehicle regulations;
• Health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to assigned duties;
• Building and property inspection principles applicable to assigned duties;
• Investigative methods and evidence documentation;
• Legal procedures associated with municipal enforcement;
• Courtroom procedures and testimony;
• Customer service in regulatory settings, community education, voluntary compliance strategies, public relations, and conflict resolution;
• Recordkeeping and case management;
• Report and correspondence preparation;
• Field inspection safety, hazard recognition, and procedures for requesting assistance;
• Department policies and procedures; and
• Modern computer systems, mapping tools, property records, mobile technology, and code enforcement software. Required Skills And Abilities

The employee must be able to:

• Independently investigate and document ordinance violations;
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply ordinances, statutes, regulations, policies, maps, property records, and legal descriptions;
• Distinguish verified facts from allegations and accurately document violations through objective, defensible case records;
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion, recognize matters requiring supervisory guidance, legal review, or specialized expertise, and adapt to changing assignments;
• Enforce laws and ordinances fairly, consistently, and impartially;
• Translate technical ordinance requirements into clear verbal explanations and written corrective instructions while communicating professionally, tactfully, firmly, and respectfully;
• Apply customer service principles, de-escalation, and conflict-resolution techniques while maintaining consistent compliance expectations;
• Work effectively with difficult, upset, or uncooperative individuals;
• Prepare accurate and detailed reports and case files;
• Gather and preserve evidence;
• Take clear evidentiary photographs;
• Conduct follow-up investigations;
• Testify clearly and professionally in court;
• Maintain confidentiality of protected information;
• Seek clarification or ask questions when needed;
• Prioritize assignments and manage a caseload based on public safety, severity, deadlines, and established City priorities;
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, reliable follow-through, and effective independent work with limited supervision;
• Operate a City vehicle and assigned equipment safely;
• Establish effective working relationships with City employees, prosecutors, courts, governmental agencies, businesses, property owners, and the public;
• Read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings, and property descriptions, and perform measurements and basic calculations needed for field documentation;
• Respond timely to public questions, explain permit pathways, and resolve service concerns within assigned authority; and
• Maintain composure during interruptions and difficult contacts, recognize unsafe conditions, and request assistance when needed. Physical Requirements The employee must possess sufficient physical ability and mobility to perform duties in office and field environments. Duties may require standing, walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, navigating uneven terrain, entering properties and structures when legally authorized, operating a motor vehicle, using computers and other equipment, and performing repetitive hand movements. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law. Working Environment Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments and may involve working alone. The employee may be exposed to:
• Extreme heat or cold;
• Rain and other inclement weather;
• Dust, dirt, fumes, odors, chemicals, insects, and other environmental hazards;
• Uneven or unstable terrain;
• Dilapidated or unsafe properties;
• Animals;
• Traffic hazards;
• Loud noise;
• Potentially hostile or confrontational individuals;
• Unsanitary conditions; and
• Other hazards normally associated with field inspections and code enforcement activities. Professional Expectations The Code Compliance Officer shall conduct enforcement activities professionally, impartially, consistently, and in accordance with applicable law, City ordinances, City and department policies, and constitutional requirements. The officer is expected to seek reasonable voluntary compliance when appropriate while taking necessary enforcement action when violations continue, circumstances require immediate action, or voluntary compliance cannot reasonably be achieved. Inspections, property access, evidence collection, notices, citations, and other enforcement actions must remain within the authority granted by applicable law, City ordinances, and departmental policy. When a matter falls outside the officer’s authority or expertise, it shall be referred to the appropriate City department or governmental entity. Success in this position is demonstrated through timely and sustained resolution of violations, accurate and complete case documentation, consistent follow-up, clear public communication, fair application of City requirements, and effective coordination with other departments. Performance is evaluated on the quality and effectiveness of compliance work rather than citation volume alone. The officer shall communicate competing assignment demands and time-sensitive compliance matters to the supervisor so that priorities and follow-up responsibilities can be established. Applicant / Employee Notice This job description provides a general description of the essential functions and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to contain a complete listing of every duty, responsibility, or assignment. Duties and responsibilities may be modified or reassigned based on changes in law, City ordinances, departmental policy, staffing requirements, operational needs, or other legitimate business necessities. City of Granite Shoals - Equal Opportunity Employer