Job Description

The City of Duluth Fire Department Life Safety Division is seeking service minded candidates with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently to join our housing inspection team!
As a full-time Housing Inspector, you will be responsible for assisting property owners, managing agents, and tenants through the rental license inspection process and for responding to community inquiries and concerns. Housing inspectors are the primary contact within the department for housing code enforcement needs and questions. Your work is critical in preventing, discovering, investigating, and enforcing housing code to keep our community safe.
Duluth is a four-season city with 11,000 acres of green space alongside the shores of Lake Superior, located just two hours north of the Twin Cities. Voted Outside magazine’s Best Town in 2014, Duluth offers adventures such as hiking, skiing, hunting, boating, biking, and much more. Duluth also boasts a vibrant arts culture, home to art museums, performance centers, community and college theater productions, and numerous festivals throughout the year; and competitive sports including nationally ranked collegiate teams.Job Summary:

Assist owners and tenants, through inspection, consultation, and enforcement, in maintaining their dwellings, premises, non-dwelling structures, and vacant lands in a safe, legal, and sanitary manner.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

1. Inspect dwellings, non-dwelling structures, and vacant lands for compliance with building and fire codes and sanitary and safety standards.

2. Schedule routine inspections of buildings, structures, and premises, and conduct housing condition surveys to determine general condition and compliance with housing codes, building codes, and related ordinances.

3. Notify property owners of code violations and the work necessary to correct them.

4. Check on the work progress of code violation corrections.

5. Issue condemnation notices when necessary.

6. Inspect buildings when violations have been corrected.

7. Investigate, follow up, and respond to complaints from the public.

8. Enforce all applicable codes and ordinances.

9. Coordinate inspection activities as required by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and Building Appeal Board.

10. Consult with other agencies as necessary for the enforcement of applicable ordinances and regulations relating to building, housing, and zoning.

11. Write and process criminal and administrative citations and associated documentation.

12. Collect and organize evidence of violation and complete charge sheets for the City Attorney as appropriate.

13. Serve as a witness in court cases when required.

14. Maintain complete and accurate records of all inspections and daily records of all activities; and prepare information for monthly reports.

15. Interpret all relevant statutes, codes, and ordinances governing residential and commercial properties in order to inform property owners, contractors, building managers, tenants, and others of compliance regulations.

16. Assist owners, contractors, and others in processing and acquiring City permits.

17. Search files for zoning, permit, and building history information.

18. Utilize computer systems and associated software.

19. Be an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines.

20. Other duties may be assigned.

Job Requirements

Education & Experience Requirements

A. Completion of a recognized certification program in code enforcement, property management, property rehabilitation or one (1) year of field experience inspecting structures and dwellings; or an acceptable combination of related education and experience equaling one (1) year.

License Requirements

A. A driver’s license valid in Minnesota.

B. Acquire and maintain International Property Maintenance Certification within one year of employment.