Code Enforcement Officer
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Experience Required: Code Enforcement Officer I – Two (2) years of full-time experience enforcing environmental health laws, regulations and ordinances or related regulatory enforcement or code compliance experience. Code Enforcement Officer II – Experience of Code Enforcement Officer I plus an additional three (3) years of experience. Code Enforcement Officer III – Experience of Code Enforcement Office II plus an additional one (1) year of experience working in this role with Otero County.
Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent; some college or technical school education or training in environmental health, environmental science or environmental technology is preferred.
Department: Emergency Services
Direct Supervisor: Code Enforcement Supervisor
Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0)
Primary Work Location: Works inside in an office setting and in a field environment.
Certification: Possession of a valid New Mexico driver’s license. Must possess or obtain within twelve (12) months of hire IFSAC or New Mexico State Firefighter I and II certification and licensure as a New Mexico EMT-Basic or higher. This position is designated as safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, random, and post-incident drug and alcohol testing in accordance with County policy. Failure to obtain and maintain required certifications within the specified timeframe may result in reassignment or separation of employment.
Salary: $17.00-$19.43 per hour DOE plus benefits package.
Job Summary: Enforces County ordinances, laws, and regulations including, but not limited to, fireworks, open burning, solid waste, junked vehicles, sewage treatment, air pollution, erosion control, and storm water quality. Conducts inspections, investigations, and compliance actions. Responds to fire, EMS, and other emergency incidents in support of County emergency operations.
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
- Enforce environmental laws, regulations, and ordinances related to solid waste, sewage treatment, air pollution, erosion control, storm water quality, and related public health concerns.
- Conduct investigations regarding environmental violations, junked or dilapidated vehicles, and related nuisance conditions; determine compliance status and initiate corrective action.
- Respond to citizen complaints; conduct follow-up inspections and represent Otero County in administrative hearings and court proceedings as required.
- Ensure all court documentation, evidence, and reporting requirements are complete and accurate.
- Document violations through written reports, photographs, and case tracking systems; prepare enforcement reports and maintain records of actions taken.
- Organize and conduct educational outreach programs related to environmental compliance and fire safety.
- Confer with government agencies, community organizations, industrial entities, and private stakeholders to interpret and promote environmental health and fire safety programs.
- Conduct or assist with fire code inspections of commercial occupancies and residential daycare facilities.
- Conduct or assist with fire department pre-incident planning documentation.
- Provide fire safety public education and fire extinguisher training as assigned.
- Respond to fire and EMS incidents in accordance with departmental protocols and certification level.
- Perform general administrative duties including report writing, answering inquiries, and maintaining case documentation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) for Position
An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge
- Court terminology.
- Principles and practices of environmental codes enforcement.
- Laws, regulations, and ordinance affecting the environmental code enforcement processes.
- Techniques of investigation relative to environmental codes enforcement.
- Two-way radio protocol.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Principles, practices, and equipment used in fire suppression and emergency medical response consistent with certification level.
- Geographic layout of the County.
- Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
- Procedures and techniques of dealing with the public in a tactful but firm manner in order to assure compliance with regulations.
- Thorough understanding of the County’s functions, policies, and procedures.
Skills
- Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Public relations and customer service.
- Follow and relay complex oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures.
- Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer terminal, related software programs, printer, calculator, fax, and copier.
Abilities
- Safely operate County vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles, over rough and uneven terrain.
- Operate two-way radio communications equipment in accordance with County protocol.
- Respond to fire and EMS incidents in accordance with departmental protocols, certification level, and the Incident Command System (ICS).
- Maintain composure and sound judgment during stressful or emergency situations.
- Interpret and apply laws and regulations related to environmental health and fire code compliance.
- Prepare clear and accurate reports and maintain detailed records.
- Work independently and exercise discretion in enforcement decisions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, courts, partner agencies, and the public.
Physical Demands
The following physical abilities are required:
- The work requires exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and may require greater physical exertion consistent with fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical response activities.
- Bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, walking, standing and sitting for prolonged periods of time is required.
- Must be physically able to operate a motorized vehicle.
- While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under varying environmental conditions. Duties may involve exposure to inclement weather, smoke, hazardous materials, potentially toxic or caustic chemicals, aggressive animals, insects, reptiles, extreme temperatures, and other hazardous conditions associated with fire, EMS, and environmental enforcement activities.
Safety Requirements
The employee is expected to follow all safety procedures as required.
**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
How to Apply:
Complete the application and return to:
Otero County Administration Office
1101 New York Ave
Alamogordo, NM 88310.
