Code Enforcement Jobs in Chesapeake, VA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $51,698.17 - $66,555.04 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2025-01465
Department: Permits & Inspections
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under general supervision, this position performs property maintenance inspections for conformance to standards, codes, and ordinances. Reports to the Manager of Code Enforcement.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs inspections involving standards, ordinance, code violations, property maintenance, and complaints on minimum rental housing standards, single family dwellings, vacant structures, non-residential buildings, inoperative vehicles, weed and debris, sanitation, enforcement nuisance and refuse and zoning ordinances.
Recommends and or prepares case files for legal action against unresponsive or absentee property owners and cases of non-compliance; appears in court to provide expert testimony regarding property maintenance code interpretation and enforcement procedures; conducts research information on violators; prepares and sends violation notices, post properties of unknown or absentee owners and delivers summons to magistrate.
Ensures systematic scheduling for inspections in specified areas; follows through with complaint investigations; contracts various services for weed and debris removal, boarding of vacant structures and for the removal of inoperative motor vehicles; inspects and reviews contractor services for compliance in accordance to departmental guidelines.
Advises property owners, contractors and builders regarding building code standards and resolves problems or concerns; conducts citizen and staff educational programs, and provides information to the general public; collects special data as requested; provides citizens with information for housing assistance and legal aid as necessary, and assists citizens through complaint investigations.
Keeps abreast of current and future issues and trends; attends training classes, workshops, etc. as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of developments in the field of code enforcement; prepares data for monthly reports related to property maintenance and environmental/zoning functions; maintains and pulls files, makes copies and answers telephone inquiries.
Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has considerable knowledge of the inspection practices and procedures of the department. Has considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing safety and public safety. Has considerable knowledge of the departmental procedures used to perform building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, amusement device, inspections, etc. Is skilled in the use of a gauge, meter, circuit tester and other inspection tools. Is skilled in the writing and review of technical reports. Is able to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within division and department, and with the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the administrative, human and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provided adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains as enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instructions.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offer suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the division.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all division employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handle requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meeting, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintain a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least three (3) years of experience in building construction, building, fire, housing inspections, plumbing, electrical, mechanical trades, fire/fire protection, elevators or property maintenance work, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Certification as an International Code Council of Virginia (ICC/VA) Property Maintenance Inspector required within 18 months of hire.
Certification as an International Code Council (ICC) Zoning Inspector or Virginia Association of Zoning Official (VAZO) Certification as a Zoning Official within 3 years of hire required.
Certification in Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study (FEMA IS) 100, 200, 700, 800 required within one (1) year of hire.
This position is considered essential personnel for the purposes of performing the damage assessment portion of the City's Emergency Operations plan, and will be required to work after normal working hours and on the weekends in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Physical Demands
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machinery and equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, facsimile machine, copier, multi-line telephone systems, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Data Conceptions: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors; giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates and advising the public on divisional policies.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of plans, specifications, applications, diagrams, codes, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, violation notifications, certifications, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using Standard English.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs and perform calculations involving variables, formulas and square roots.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to specifications and diagrams to ensure the compliance to city policies.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and inspection tools.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and inspection tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination:Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Must be adaptable to performing under variable levels of stress.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01
Please select the highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates/Vocational/Technical
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

02
Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you able to obtain a Certification as an International Code Council of Virginia (ICC/VA) Property Maintenance Inspector that is required within 18 months of hire?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you able to obtain the Certification as an International Code Council (ICC) Zoning Inspector or Virginia Association of Zoning Official (VAZO) Certification as a Zoning Official within 3 years of hire required?

• Yes
• No

05
This position requires certification in Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study (FEMA IS) 100, 200, 700, 800 required within one (1) year of hire. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you understand that this position is considered essential personnel for the purposes of performing the damage assessme