Community Service Officer I

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming the area thrived with orchards vegetable fields and later greenhouses earning the title Carnation City. Incorporated in 1969 Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government where the elected council sets policy and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:

• Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions decisions and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community

• Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs conditions and work responsibilities.

• Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort with each person contributing unique skills knowledge and training to achieve common goals.

• Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.

• Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally develop best practices and seek challenges to advance the City.

• NOW!: Employees are proactive timely and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community NOW!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a highly visible position that interacts with citizens and visitors to create a positive public image in an effort to respond to inquiries and complaints regarding codes related to housing standards property maintenance lodging regulations environmental health zoning weeds junk and abandoned vehicles and nuisances animal and park code related ordinances for the for enforcing animal park and code related ordinances.

The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Responsible for the enforcement of the laws and ordinance of the city related to property maintenance housing standards lodging regulations environmental health zoning weeds junk and abandoned vehicles and nuisances animal and park code related ordinances.

Conduct active patrol of the Citys streets open space areas parks and trails system.

Address citizens questions and concerns pertaining to code issues. Proactively provide positive customer service to the development community landowners members of the public and other city and governmental agencies in understanding city laws ordinances codes and regulations.

Respond to investigate and remedy complaints received from citizens officials and City employees relating to code violations; perform mediation and intervention to resolve potential conflicts. Perform on-site inspections and ascertain compliance with ordinances regulations and proposed plans; make follow-up inspections to ensure violations are abated altered discontinued or removed; initiate legal actions for continuing violations.

Inform property owners or their legal representatives of violations of applicable regulations and ordinances and explain changes that must be made to achieve compliance. Order the compliance abatement discontinuance removal or alteration of conditions which violate applicable ordinances laws and regulations; issue verbal warnings written warnings and summons for code violations.

Prepare reports documenting investigative work performed; prepare and document code violations for court cases; testify in court as a witness or complainant.

Recognize potential hazards suspicious or unlawful activity and determine whether criminal or civil matter; may approach/detain suspects until a Police Officer arrives.

Tag and tow abandoned and junked vehicles for removal from public property.

Responds to calls for service regarding animal related issues and for service as they relate to nuisance and animal cruelty complaints; safeguards the public against vicious or dangerous animals. Provide humane treatment and care for all animals to prevent pain and suffering; euthanize sick or injured wildlife as needed; impound animals running at large and transport to shelter; dispose of dead animals. Work closely with various agencies in the identification of safety issues regarding wildlife/ human conflicts. Notifies animal owners or caretakers of violations and corrective actions required. Inspect and issue kennel licenses and exotic animal permits.

Provide routine care and maintenance of equipment.

Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations decrease turnaround times streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service; communicate with customers clients or the public in face-to-face one-on-one settings or using a telephone.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

Prepare and present public education programs or public relations information at events or community meetings. Attend classes seminars conferences and workshops as determined necessary to maintain competence and applicable certifications.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

QUALIFICATIONS: Upon successful completion of the required field training and evaluation program:

Knowledge of basic objectives and operational activities in the administration of construction site management and a code enforcement program; develop working knowledge of: local statutes and ordinances proper law enforcement principles/procedures/practices; first aid and medical procedures/practices; city and surrounding areas including streets buildings landmarks alleys roads building construction materials and equipment including residential type electrical plumbing and mechanical systems and of the regulations laws zoning and code enforcement rules relating to the same; techniques and materials of the construction trade and of the stages in construction when possible defects in building electrical plumbing and mechanical installations may be easily observed and corrected.

Skills- In the operation of the equipment assigned as tools in the enforcement of the outlined responsibilities; preparing written reports and projects; dealing tactfully with customers to resolve violations; excellent confrontational and problem-solving skills.

Abilities Comply with the physical and mental constraints as described in the aforementioned and operate the tools & equipment necessary to enforce codes and regulations. Read and interpret codes and ordinances legal descriptions of real property construction plans plot plans site plans and property markers; comprehend and make interpretations of written City codes. Analyze situations quickly objectively and determine proper course of action; effectively solve problems and make independent decisions based on sound reasoning good judgment and established procedures; maintain a high level of self-motivation and initiative while working with little or no direct supervision. Communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions; organize tasks and working environment to maximize efficiency with attention to customer service. Create and maintain effective working relationships; deal tactfully to resolve problems through education cooperation and reasonable agreement to gain compliance with code requirements.

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Training- Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Experience Prior experience in code enforcement working in an animal related field parks enforcement and/or property inspection areas.

Supplemental Information:

Current valid drivers license or the ability to obtain Colorado drivers license at hire; Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials (CACEO) required within 2 years of hire.

No consideration will be given for:

Driving record indicating a history of repeated traffic violations accidents or suspension within 2 years

Felony conviction of any kind or misdemeanor convictions received within the past twelve (12) months or which demonstrate a lack of integrity or offenses involving moral turpitude.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race religion color national origin sex sexual orientation age veteran status disability status marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications skills efforts duties responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.