Position Information
This employee conducts field inspections to determine if a property is in compliance with four codes: the Zoning Ordinance; Condition of Private Property Ordinance; Noise Ordinance; and Part II Property Maintenance and Existing Structures of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Inspections are conducted in response to complaints and through routine monitoring of an assigned geographic area. The employee manages cases from initiation to closure.
Specific Duties Include
- inspecting residential and commercial property to evaluate compliance;
- negotiating and problem solving with property owners, tenants and business owners to correct violations;
- researching land records, zoning history and permits;
- preparing detailed case records;
- responding in writing to inquiries from the general public and/or government officials;
- assisting in prosecution of violators, including court appearances;
- making referrals to appropriate County and/or State agencies; and
- monitoring long–term compliance.
Other tasks include: removal of illegal signs in the public right-of-way; reviewing sign permits; taking noise readings; posting placards for public hearings; and operating a county vehicle to perform assigned duties.
Work involves extensive contact with other government employees, homeowners, tenants, business and property owners and managers, contractors, and the general public, and is performed under guidance and coordination from a Community Codes Inspector IV Team Leader, with supervision from the Code Enforcement Supervisor.
Selection Criteria
Online applications are required
Minimum: Community Inspector III Level: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent plus three years of experience in general building construction; or in building, fire, and/or housing inspections; and general knowledge of plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems; plus certification by the State of Virginia as a Building Maintenance Technical Assistant.
Trainee: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent plus three years of experience in general building construction; or in building, fire, and/or housing inspections; and general knowledge of plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.
Substitution: Apprenticeship and or trade school training related to residential construction, plumbing, electrical and/or mechanical systems may substitute for general building construction experience on a year-for-year basis.
Desirable
- experience resolving complaints involving the application of rules, policies or procedures;
- experience and/or training in negotiation, facilitation and/or mediation;
- certification as a Property (Building) Maintenance Inspector (BOCA/ICC) by state of employment;
- experience and/or certification as a housing or zoning inspector, or closely related field;
- experience working in a related area for a local government; and/or
- experience or training in use of PC’s including MS Word, and databases (Excel, PermitsPlus or similar).
Special Requirements
- The applicant must obtain Virginia state certification as a Property Maintenance Housing Inspector (Building Maintenance Technical Assistant) within the trainee period.
- The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant’s official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant’s driving record.
Additional Information
Work hours: 40 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Must be available for call back on emergencies. Some weekend work will be required.
Uniforms are required and will be provided.
The employee will be hired at either the full performance level or trainee level. For the trainee level, a training period will be established to last 12 months and can be extended to last no longer than 18 months. During the training period, employee will receive assignments designed to prepare employee for the full performance level. At the end of the training period, employee must meet experience, training and proficiency requirements for the full performance level position; this includes obtaining State certification as a Property (Building) Maintenance Inspector (Technical Assistant). When the employee attains full performance level, the probationary period will begin.
The salary for the trainee level starts at $36,649.
Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email pers@arlingtonva.us.
Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.
Specific information on benefits and conditions of employment can be found on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.
Permanent, Full-Time Appointments
All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:
Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases every three years until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. There are eleven paid holidays each year.
Health and Dental Insurance: Three group health insurance plans are offered - a network open access plan, a point-of-service plan, and a health maintenance organization. A group dental insurance plan is also offered. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. A discount vision plan is provided for eye care needs.
Life Insurance: A group term policy of basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance is available with rates based on the employee's age and smoker/non-smoker status.
Retirement: The County offers three vehicles to help you prepare for retirement: a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service. The County also contributes to this plan.
For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)) . The County also matches your 457 contribution, up to $20 per pay period, in this plan. The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to set aside money on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your base pay.
Other Benefits: The County also offers health, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance; tuition assistance; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other employee benefits.
Permanent, Part-Time Appointments
Part time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.
Limited Term Appointments
Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.
Temporary Regular Appointments
Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Temporary Seasonal And Occasional Appointments
Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.
01
In order to receive full credit for your answers please ensure that you have included details of all relevant work experience on your application. Incomplete information on the application form may be cause for rejection.
02
How much experience have you had in general building construction; or in building, fire, and/or housing inspections?
- none
- less than 6 months
- 6 to 12 months
- 1 to 2 years
- 2 to 3 years
- 3 years or more
03
Please select the phrase that best describes your knowledge or experience related to Plumbing systems.
- None
- Homeowner type chores
- Some education/training
- Formal apprenticeship training
- Formal Journey level experience
04
Please select the phrase that best describes your knowledge or experience related to Electrical systems.
- None
- Homeowner type chores
- Some education/training
- Formal Apprenticeship training
- Formal Journey level experience
05
Please select the phrase that best describes your knowledge or experience related to Mechanical systems.
- None
- Homeowner type chores
- Some education/training
- Formal Apprenticeship training
- Formal Journey level experience
06
Please describe the job where you gained experience dealing with the public and responding to complaints. Be sure to describe your specific role.
07
Please describe the job in which you had to resolve complaints involving the application of rules, policies or procedures. How much independent judgment did you have in your position?
08
Please describe your experience and/or training in negotiation, facilitation and/or mediation.
09
Please describe your experience and/or training in use of PC's including MS Word; Databases (Excel, Permit Plus or similar) How proficient do you consider yourself to be in these areas?
10
Please check the related certifications you have and the courses you have taken:
- None
- VA Uniform Statewide Building Code Building Maintenance Technical Assistant
- VA Building Code Academy Property Maintenance Module
- Property Maintenance (BOCA/ICC)
- Housing Inspector (BOCA/ICC)
- Property Maintenance Housing Inspector Certification (BOCA/ICC)
- Zoning Official (VAZO/BOCA/ICC)
- Other
11
If you checked "other" above please describe
