JOB The Property Standards Officer/Senior Property Standards Officer promotes community sustainability, preservation, and quality of life by ensuring compliance with City property standards, zoning regulations and municipal ordinances. This position functions as an educator, mediator, facilitator and enforcement authority for property standards established in the Westminster Municipal Code (W.M.C.).
The Property Standards Officer classification series performs investigative, inspection, and enforcement work related to property maintenance, zoning compliance, rental housing, short-term rentals, illegal duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and other land use matters. The position serves as a primary point of contact for evaluating potential violations and works collaboratively with residents, property owners, agents, occupants, businesses, staff from other city departments and stakeholders to achieve compliance through education, voluntary correction, and enforcement actions when necessary.
The Property Standards Officer performs inspections of residential and non-residential structures and all existing premises for minimum requirements and standards. Officers also conduct investigations for required permits and licenses. Property Standards Officers are responsible for conducting property inspections, documenting findings and preparing formal reports to notify property owners, managers, agents or other responsible parties of violations and the corrective actions necessary to achieve compliance with City standards.
The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees can test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).
Every employee is accountable to:
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Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
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Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
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Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
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Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
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Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
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Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
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Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
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Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend training courses designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
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Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
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Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
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Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:
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Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
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Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
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Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
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Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
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Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
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Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
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Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
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Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:
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Interpret and apply zoning, land use, and property maintenance regulations Analize violations and determine appropriate corrective actions
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Mediate disputes and work on achieving voluntary compliance
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Prepare legally defensible reports, notices, citations, and summonses
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Testify in municipal court proceedings
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Understand residential structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems relevant to property inspections
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Understand and work with geographic information systems (GIS) relating to infrastructures and asset management, planning and development, public safety and emergency management, public utilities, citizen engagement and other city services and work
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Maintain detailed electronic case files
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Develop and employ effective problem-solving skills
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Safely operate City vehicles and inspections equipment
Successfully complete job-related training assignments
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Property Standards Officer
Required:
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Graduation from high school or possession of GED
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Possession of a valid driver’s license and safe driving record
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Possess critical thinking skills
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Demonstrated conflict resolution and interpersonal communication skills
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Ability to exercise sound judgement and independent decision-making
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International Code Council (ICC) Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification within six (6) months of hiring
Preferred:
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Experience in code enforcement, property standards, rental housing, municipal government or related work
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Experience in preparing legal documentation and testifying in court
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Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered
Senior Property Standards Officer
Required:
In addition to Property Standards Officer requirements:
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Senior Property Standards Officer generally includes a minimum of three (3) years as a Property Standards Officer; progression is not automatic and depends on the incumbent's proficiency and experience as a PSO - this determination is made by the supervisor and could be less or more than the standard three (3)-year time frame
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Demonstrated proficiency in all Property Standards Officer duties
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Demonstrated ability to manage complex or politically sensitive cases
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Experience mentoring or training peers
Preferred:
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Experience drafting policy recommendations or regulatory updates
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Experience leading multi-department enforcement initiatives
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skills may be considered.
Physical Requirements
Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job to include:
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Frequent standing and walking over different types of terrain in all weather conditions; Frequent sitting to perform office duties and inspect code violations while driving a city vehicle
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Frequent squatting, kneeling, and reaching overhead to inspect properties
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Frequent climbing, bending, twisting, and reaching below shoulder level to view properties through fences and other objects that may obstruct view
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Frequent light grasp, fine manipulation, handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to use tools and other equipment
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Frequent stepping up/down and actuate mechanism to enter/exit and safely operate vehicles
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Constant near/far acuity and hearing to communication with the public and staff face to face or via phone
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Frequently entering properties interior and exterior for inspections
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Occasional lifting of 30 pounds from ground level to waist height; occasional carrying of 30 pounds for a distance of 50 feet; frequent pushing/pulling ten (10) pounds to remove signs that have been posted in the ground
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is occasionally performed indoors and frequently outdoors with occasional exposure to extreme temperatures. Work is performed year-round in all weather conditions and includes exposure to loud noise, dust, fumes, mist, chemicals, and potentially hazardous environments may occur. This is a highly public position where contact with public may be in stressful and contentious situations.
Required Materials and Equipment
Must be able to operate standard officer’s equipment including a multi-line telephone system, a cellphone, two-way radio, electronic devices, safety equipment, inspection tools, copiers, printers, digital cameras, and other devices and equipment as needed. Operates a City vehicle. Personal protective equipment includes gloves, safety glasses, goggles, coverall suits, and a traffic safety vest. All officers are required to wear a City uniform.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
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Background checks will include employment references, criminal history, credit check, education verification
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Drug screen
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Pre-employment physical
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Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
