Code Compliance Investigator III

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) responds to over 8,000 complaints each year related to property maintenance, unpermitted construction, zoning, and other violations of county code. DCC seeks compliance with county/state codes and ordinances in achieving the mission of the agency: to promote, protect and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County. The work of the agency is further guided by an annual Equity Impact Plan, in conjunction with the county's One Fairfax Policy and commitment to consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services.

• Conduct initial interviews over the phone or face-to-face with complainants to determine the exact nature of complaint and request further pertinent information;
• Investigate zoning, property maintenance, noise ordinance, and/or unpermitted construction complaints;
• Address life safety issues as priorities (unsafe construction, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions such as hoarding);
• Advise violators of ordinance requirements and seek to gain voluntary compliance;
• Develop investigation plans and coordinate with other agencies or investigators;
• Conduct field investigations and gather as much evidence as possible within constitutional/fourth amendment constraints;
• Gather evidence such as photographs, violator and witness statements, and computer and file research;
• Conduct field interviews with violators;
• Recommend the opening of additional cases where the type and extent of violations merits;
• Prepare automated reports of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable codes based on analysis of investigation findings and maintain investigation files;
• Record coded entries in designated database for tracking purposes;
• Prepare and issue Notice of Violations, Stop Work Orders, Corrective Work Orders, Unsafe structures reports, memoranda and other correspondence and initiate corrective procedures to obtain voluntary compliance;
• Prepare evidentiary chronologies and Rule to Show Cause for submission to the County Attorney's Office for civil litigation;
• Prepare evidentiary material for presentation in general district court for the purpose of unclassed misdemeanor prosecutions;
• Employ unique investigative techniques such as stake-outs, neighborhood canvasses, etc. to gain critical information relating to cases;
• Swear to civil affidavits and criminal summonses;
• Testify in civil and criminal court proceedings, Board of Zoning Appeal hearings, and Board of Building Code Appeal hearings;
• Respond to citizens' queries concerning zoning and property maintenance and other matters;
• Appear at civic association meetings to present educational material;
• Condemn and placard unsafe structures which are dangerous to life, health, and safety of occupants and the public and board up entrances and openings into the structure;
• Conduct follow‑ups to ensure that violations have been abated or court‑ordered mandates have been implemented;
• May assist in the preparation and/or review of draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance;
• May coordinate with other county/state/federal agencies when issues have overlapping or joint responsibilities;
• May perform field training for new employees.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies, or a related field; plus four years of relative work experience in the area of code enforcement or equivalent (e.g., performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, or related code enforcement, inspection, investigative, or abatement work).

Valid motor vehicle driver's license;

• Property Maintenance Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) within 12 months of hire;
• Zoning Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
• Building certification by VDHCD in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) in…