Codes Enforcement Officer

Responsible for enforcing City of Las Cruces ordinances, codes, and regulations throughout the community and increasing public awareness of the importance for compliance to ensure a safe, sanitary, and clean community environment.

Works ninety (90) percent outdoors exposed to all traffic and weather conditions, dust, noises, uneven surfaces, mists, odors, and gases. Hazards include animal attacks, traffic accidents, and mechanical and electrical elements. Protective gear includes helmet, gloves, glasses, and bicycle training for officers using bicycles.

Moderately physical position including the ability to occasionally lift and carry fifty (50) pound from the floor to waist height, and to move throughout the City using a motor vehicle or bicycle. Frequently lifting less than ten (10) pounds throughout the day. Sufficient clarity of speech, hearing, or other communication capabilities, vision or other powers of observation, manual dexterity, and personal mobility and physical reflexes sufficient to effectively and efficiently perform essential job functions.  Constant alertness is required to remain cautious and safe moving through City streets on a bicycle.

Requires competing demands such as strict deadlines, multiple tasks and occasional work beyond normal business hours. Occasional interaction with irate citizens.   Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.  Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policy.

• Responsible for interpreting, explaining, and enforcing City ordinance provisions related, but not limited, to the following:

• Numerals on structures.
• Illegal placement of fliers and notices on occupied and private property.
• Weeds, trash, littering and junk.
• Abandoned materials and inoperable vehicles.
• Unsafe structures.
• Traffic and sidewalk obstructions.
• Water conservation and the Clean Indoor Air Act.

• Travels throughout the City using a City motor vehicle or bicycle to identify potential code compliance problems.
• Responds to resident complaints and inquiries and conducts inspections to determine if complaints are valid and warrant further action.
• Documents violations and makes personal contact with the owners/occupants.
• Sends letters of violations and directs the owners/occupants to comply.
• Monitors construction sites relative to code compliance, landscaping, parking, setbacks, accessibility, zoning district sign code, and building without required permits.
• Assists with the monitoring the licensing of businesses, home occupations, and itinerant merchants. 
• Routinely monitors non-compliance areas to ensure corrective action is taken.  Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Generates reports documenting the violation.  
• Summons violator into Municipal Court by initiating a criminal complaint or issuing a criminal citation.
• Presents cases in Municipal Court, acting as own attorney, trying the case by testifying, submitting  evidence, and dealing with witnesses.

• Conducts pro-active inspections and special projects and provides education on code enforcement through newsletters and neighborhood meetings.
• Prepares and presents various special and reoccurring reports.
• Assists the Las Cruces Police Department within delegated scope and responsibility.
• Researches information from the County Assessor to place liens on personal property to obtain compliance from abating a violation.

Equivalent to a high school diploma and three (3) years of experience in Codes Enforcement, Law Enforcement, or an Environmental Field with specialized work experience in Public Safety Investigations, Municipal Zoning, or Environmental Code Enforcement.  A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.  

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid driver's license is required.  Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.  Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Knowledge of: principles, practices, methods, and techniques of code enforcement and compliance; effective customer service, communication, and problem resolution techniques and methods; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices and procedures; principles of record keeping and records management; business and personal computers, and applicable software applications; City organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Skill in: using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; reading, interpreting, understanding, and applying policies, procedures, and applicable rules and regulations; assessing needs and developing and implementing effective solutions; interpreting and explaining provisions of various rules and regulations with tact and impartiality; researching, analyzing, and synthesizing data,  evaluating alternatives and making logical recommendations based on findings; safely operating motorized vehicles and bicycles; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating effective interpersonal communication skills, and conflict resolution; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities timely and with accuracy to meet time-sensitive deadlines and ensure achievement of goals and objectives; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, interpret, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and data; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; review documents and extract relevant information; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; operate standard office equipment and a personal computer with basic and specialized software applications; present a positive image; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.