Madera County

Field Investigator

Under supervision, performs field investigations and on-site inspections regarding suspected code and ordinance violations; ensures compliance with various codes and ordinances; enforces established regulations, county ordinances, codes, and laws; performs related work as required.

Examples Of Duties

Verifies compliance with permit conditions, zoning, building, grading, erosion-control codes, and other applicable laws and regulations governing land use. Gathers evidence, information, and documentation to support action for gaining compliance; provides the public with technical information and instructions concerning allowable land uses under the various ordinances; how the existing land use may be illegal or allowable only under special permits and compliance procedures; promotes voluntary compliance through discussion and persuasion while preparing for formal prosecution in the event it becomes necessary; meets with, advises, educates and guides property owners, business owners, tenants and other parties and otherwise provides highly accurate and reliable information regarding the County's codes and appropriate ways and means to resolve violations and to maintain properties in compliance.

Analyzes all facts and evidence gathered to determine legality of alleged activity; identifies and interviews responsible parties; recommends possible civil/criminal penalties; determines the nature of the violation; prepares and issues citations for violations of the various codes; determines if cause exists to refer the case to other agencies for investigation; coordinates investigations with other law enforcement or regulatory agencies; executes inspection warrants when necessary; may appear as a witness in court or at appeal hearings.

Responds to customer requests, questions, and complaints; investigates reports of code violations; generates code violation letters and citations as needed; documents violations; maintains case files and provides case management for assigned cases; communicates status with citizens; and testifies in court, as necessary.

Stays current with knowledge related to public safety by attending professional conferences and in-service education programs, as well as by reviewing information obtained from Department memoranda, staff meetings and professional publications to attain and maintain public safety-related knowledge and skills and determine the impact of developments and change on providing service excellence.

Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the county.

Other related duties may be assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, functions, services, and activities of a local government agency.
• Current local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations particularly those related to nuisance abatement; substandard housing; zoning; abandoned vehicles; and overgrown vegetation.
• Current local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the safety and protection of people, property and grounds associated with the County, and its surrounding areas.
• Communication, negotiation, and behavioral techniques that foster collaboration and effectively achieve code compliance and related program results.
• Methods of field investigation work and of research techniques.
• Principles of human behavior and behavior modification strategies and techniques for the purpose of identifying at risk people.
• Emergency communication techniques including equipment and its use.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in court.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed.
• Local geography, County streets, public buildings, and businesses.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication including proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Basic principles and practices of organizational improvement and culture change.
• Record keeping and report preparations techniques to ensure department compliance.
• Standard office practices and procedures, and the operations of standard office equipment.

Skill to:

• Use sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in stressful situations and analyze and adapt to new situations quickly.
• Make effective oral presentations to a variety of audiences with differing levels of knowledge regarding a variety of procedures.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Promote good community relations and build community confidence in the assigned County department.
• Communicate tactfully, respectfully, and effectively with board members, administrators, staff, and the public, both orally and in writing, in a manner consistent with the department's policing and customer service policies.
• Represent the County effectively in dealings with other law enforcement agencies, community and business organizations, and the public.
• Analyze situations accurately and enforce legal requirements.
• Read, interpret, and explain applicable codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, policies, and legal requirements.
• Determine zoning code violations and recommend corrective action.
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
• Develop and maintain an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect, and engagement.
• Recognize signs of danger to people, property and grounds associated with the county, and its surrounding areas.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Apply interviewing, investigatory and safety techniques, and practices.
• Recall names, faces, and details of occurrences.
• Gather, assemble, evaluate, and analyze facts and evidence.
• Conduct research, analyze data, and prepare reports for items such as investigations and complaints.
• Interpret, apply, and explain the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Meet all pre-employment as well as ongoing requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively communicate with individuals for whom English is not a primary language.
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.
• Operate a computer and use standard business software.

Training and experience: Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Education: Equivalent to completion of sixty (60) semester units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, community development, construction management, criminology, law enforcement, or a closely related field.

Experience: One (1) year of experience working with codes and ordinances related to zoning, planning, building, or environmental health which involved extensive public contact. Possession of a current valid Basic P.O.S.T. certificate or an academy completion certificate issued by a P.O.S.T. certified basic academy may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Licenses, certificates, and special conditions:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the County's vehicle insurance program.
• Successful completion of a POST-approved comprehensive background investigation is required, including a review of employment history, criminal conviction record, psychological examination, credit history, use of intoxicants and/or other controlled substances.
• Applicants must pass a psychological evaluation that includes a review of explicit and implicit bias towards race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Physical and psychological demands:

The physical and psychological demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must maintain POST and department physical fitness and weight requirements necessary to perform the job functions with or without accommodation, such as the ability to walk, run, and operate motor vehicles and equipment. The employee must be able to lift, carry, or drag up to 100 pounds and occasionally up to 165 pounds. Specific vision required for this job include 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/30 and normal color vision. Hearing must be within normal range.

Psychological demands: While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with