Job Description of a Code Enforcement Officer

Code enforcement officials ensure that the buildings and land in a municipality are in accordance with the housing and zoning ordinances. In doing so, code enforcement officers help to protect the safety and health of the citizens.

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Code Enforcement Officer Job Description

A code enforcement officer investigates building standards and land usage to ensure that municipal and county laws for such works are followed. Code enforcement officers should be knowledgeable about the housing and zoning ordinances of their municipality, as well as the requirements for property maintenance.

These officers can also investigate the abandonment of vehicles, as these also fall under the category of maintaining the quality of the municipality. By ensuring that these requirements and provisions are followed, code enforcement officers protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Duties

In addition to inspection and investigation of properties and buildings, code enforcement officers determine the nature of environmental or health hazards, nuisance violations and unsafe building conditions. When this has been determined, code enforcement officers issue permits or citations in accordance with the regulations of the municipality. In addition, code enforcement officers must understand and comply with state and federal regulations on land usage, zoning, business permits and building access.

Requirements

According to the BLS, building and construction inspectors, including code enforcement officers, are required to have a high school diploma; however, many employers also require a degree or experience in related fields, such as architecture, construction technology or building inspection (www.bls.gov). Although not all municipalities require it, many code enforcement officers pursue certification within their state. In order to obtain certification, officers must pass a state or association examination. Some states also require training credits in addition to the examination. Finally, code enforcement officers are responsible for recertifying to maintain their status as certified code enforcement officers.

Salary

The salary of code enforcement officers often varies by municipality. However, the BLS reported that an average annual salary for construction and building inspectors was $54,320 in May 2010. In the same year, the BLS listed the average hourly wage for the same occupation at $26.11.

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics