Neighborhood Code Specialist I

About the Department

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Department of Neighborhood Services supports social, physical and economic resilience of Norfolk communities by engaging residents, neighborhood organizations and businesses and working with them to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

The Bureau of Neighborhood Quality focuses on enforcement of the Virginia Property maintenance Code and related city ordinances for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare throughout Norfolk’s neighborhoods.   

The City of Norfolk's Department of Neighborhood Services is currently seeking to fill Neighborhood Code Specialists I positions. The Neighborhood Code Specialists serve as the City’s Property Maintenance Inspectors and are responsible for overseeing inspections of existing residential, commercial, and industrial structures, by enforcing Virginia Property Maintenance Code and local City Ordinances.

Department Hiring Salary: $53,654.39

This position has an Auto Re-Classification opportunity.  Promote from a Neighborhood Code Specialist I ($53,654.39) to a Neighborhood Code Specialist II ($56,337.11) and to a Neighborhood Code Specialist III ($59,153.97) with experience and certification requirements.

Position Duties

• Enforces Virginia Maintenance Code and City Ordinances by inspecting the interior and exterior of residential and commercial properties/buildings for structure defects, checking the safety and adequacy of buildings, issuing notice to repair, removing or correcting violations, and monitoring properties in violation.
• Conducts daily inspections that require frequent walking, standing, kneeling and time outside inspecting properties, regardless of weather conditions.
• Inspects properties by means of complaint, survey, or 360 inspections. Investigates complaints, coordinates work with other departments, evaluates and analyzes case progress, tours, and evaluates neighborhoods.
• Issues Uniform Notice of Violations and Notices of Violations under the Virginia Maintenance Code.
• Performs individual case review to meet performance standards.
• Maintains administrative records with documentation associated with each case in case management software. Maintains administrative duties by preparing forms and letters advising owners and tenants of violations and time requirements, preparing, and maintaining inspection and related reports, ascertaining, and verifying property ownership, verifying accuracy of reports, verifying the correction of violations, and explaining the requirements of housing standards and ordinances to property owners, building contractors and other interested parties.
• Issues summons and prepares cases for legal action and testifies in court when applicable.
• Identifies potential properties for USBC Demolition and/or Derelict Structure Designation.
• Prepares weekly administrative packages for nuisance abatement contracts.
• Performs public services by representing the bureau at civic league meetings, interdepartmental meetings, and other forums to promote and explain objectives, referring issues to appropriate bureau, department, or agency.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Must be able to obtain a Special Police Commission.  Click here for the specific requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.

Required:

• One year of experience and general knowledge in at least one of the following areas: building construction, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical trades; inspections (building, fire, housing, etc.); fire protection; elevator or property maintenance; inspections or investigations; property appraisals or code enforcement. Experience may also include one year of direct public contact in criminal justice, law enforcement, and/or security.

Preferred:

• Property Maintenance Inspector Certification.
• Law Enforcement and/or civil servant background

Other Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License. 
• Must become a certified Property Maintenance Inspector in accordance with Virginia Certification Standards (VCS) within 18 months of employment. Must obtain 
• Special Police Commission required. Click here for the specific requirements.

Work Hours: 

• Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or as scheduled. This position WILL require occasional work on weekends and during the evening hours.

Norfolk, Virginia is a city of over 247,000 residents and more than 100 diverse neighborhoods. It is the cultural, educational, business and medical center of Hampton Roads, hosts the world's largest naval base, the region's international airport and is one of the busiest international ports on the East Coast of the United States. Norfolk neighborhoods are vibrant and inclusive places where caring neighbors want to live, invest, and participate.