Zoning & Licensing Inspector

The Zoning & Licensing Inspector is responsible for conducting field inspections and initiating administrative enforcement actions to ensure compliance with the City of Indianapolis – Marion County zoning, business licensing, environmental public nuisance and other related regulations. Employee must be able to read and interpret the City of Indianapolis - Marion County zoning, business licensing, and other related regulations. In addition, the employee must be able to respond to complaints, document investigation activities and initiate enforcement actions including legal case preparation. Contacts may occasionally be adversarial in nature and the employee must use skill and judgment to resolve both technical and interpersonal problems related to code compliance.

Conducts detailed inspections of properties and structures to determine compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, and regulations.

Identify violations of the City of Indianapolis – Marion County zoning, business licensing, environmental public nuisance and other pertinent regulations and issue notices of violations/citations to individuals responsible for violations.

Must possess ability to conduct compliance investigations and follow-up activities as needed. Must be able to compile proper documentation, including photographs, to complete case documentation and inspection reports to explain facts and circumstances surrounding investigations and violations.

Must maintain efficient and effective daily reports including all written and verbal communication pertaining to all activities within assigned area(s) and any other required documentation as required by other local or state agencies.

Enter detailed inspection results on a field computer into an established database management system.

Prepare legal case files.

Research:

Performs research to determine property ownership, occupancy, permits issued, land use petitions, variances, legal non-conforming uses, etc.

Court Appearance:

Appears and testifies in Court and at Administrative hearings as a professional and expert witness as requested.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Job Knowledge, Experience, and Skills Required

Skills and knowledge that is typically acquired though a High school diploma or equivalent and preferably two (2) years of work related experience.

Ability to obtain and hold Special Police Powers issued by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).

Incumbent must certify in the appropriate, approved disciplines per the department's policy to maintain employment.

Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Ability to potentially speak in public forums and respond to questions.

Basic computer and office equipment knowledge. Must be able to utilize computer for word processing functions and enter data into established database management systems.

Must be able to solve practical problems with tact, diplomacy, and persuasiveness in dealing with a variety of people in a variety of situations.

Must have and retain a valid Indiana Driver's license and have the ability to operate a City vehicle is required.

On a weekly rotational basis, inspectors are required to be on call and available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to respond to after hour investigation and/or inspection requests.

Ability to read location plans.

Familiarity with City and County streets and ability to read city maps.

Must be Marion County resident within six (6) months from date of hire.

Employee in this position receives direction from the Supervisor of Property Safety and Maintenance Services in the Bureau of Property Safety and Maintenance Services – Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

Incumbent must certify in the appropriate, approved disciplines as prescribed by the Director of the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, to maintain employment.

Actions and judgments are controlled through the application of laws, rules, regulations, standards, guidelines, City policies and procedures and state and municipal codes. Incumbent utilizes independent judgment when determining compliance with zoning, business licensing, environmental public nuisance ordinances, and other related regulations and determines appropriate action to be taken. Incumbent interacts with others within the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, other City Departments, County agencies, neighborhood groups, property and business owners, tenants, partner agencies, etc. Interactions require the incumbent to use diplomacy and tact when enforcing all ordinances and codes. A supervisor in the Bureau of Property Safety and Maintenance Services is generally available; however, incumbent spends most of the time in the field, but may call for assistance from a supervisor.