DIRECTOR, PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT

Code: 01658 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, is responsible for overall direction and administration of all functions and activities of a housing code enforcement program designed to eliminate blight and substandard structures; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Directs, plans, organizes, supervises, and determines the nature, scope, and goals of the housing code enforcement program.
• Supervises and/or participates in inservice training programs for code enforcement staff.
• Coordinates neighborhood area surveys designed to establish need for public and private improvements.
• Supervises code enforcement staff and related clerical personnel.
• Directs inspection and reinspection programs and may personally perform some reinspections where difficult determinations are to be made requiring knowledge of technical construction problems and housing code requirements.
• Supervises the public information program and may address business, civic, church, and other neighborhood groups to inform them of the aims of inspection programs and to enlist their cooperation.
• Prepares public information material and technical pamphlets.
• Acts as a hearing officer on housing violations prior to their referral to court, and attempts to secure voluntary compliance.
• Ascertains the rehabilitation repairs needed.
• Discusses inspection results with owners and determines owners= ability to make their own repairs of deficiencies found.
• Supervises and/or prepares rehabilitation and conservation measures needed for each structure and the cost estimate.
• Analyzes financial status of property owner and determines eligibility for a loan from the jurisdiction or a loan or grant from the federal government for rehabilitation purposes.
• Verifies ownership and mortgage status of the property.
• Develops sketches and drawings of the existing structure(s) and repairs needed to abate existing housing code violations.
• Maintains a file of reliable construction companies who are available for rehabilitation and conservation work on individual properties. Initiates the bidding process for contracting out rehabilitation repair work.
• Prepares the contract between the contractor and property owner.
• Reviews results of periodic inspections made by field inspector(s) and authorizes progress payments for the construction.
• Acts as the jurisdiction's technical expert on renovation construction techniques and housing code enforcement, and may attend court proceedings relative to court action in this area.
• Coordinates the work of appropriate city agencies in the rehabilitation of city owned property located in the housing code compliance area.
• Modifies and promulgates housing code ordinances and regulations.
• Prepares the budget.
• Prepares reports.
• Establishes and maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in either the preparation or revision of building construction plans, the inspection or supervision of the construction of buildings, or as a journeyman in the building construction structural trades, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the form, content, and interpretation of specifications and blueprints.
• Knowledge of the means of identifying varied types of materials and equipment that enter into the cost and repair of buildings.
• Knowledge of procedures and standards to be observed in inspecting building repairs to determine compliance with specifications and reasonable standards of workmanship.
• Knowledge of sources for funding housing rehabilitation loans and of procedures followed in processing home improvement loans.
• Knowledge of the establishment and maintenance of essential records and/or files.
• Knowledge of inspection methods involved in preventing and eliminating blight and/or substandard housing accommodations.
• Ability to administer a housing code enforcement program.
• Ability to read and interpret building construction plans, specifications, and blueprints.
• Ability to perform inspection work involved in preventing and eliminating blight and/or substandard housing accommodations.
• Ability to ascertain priority repairs.
• Ability to understand eligibility requirements for government loans for housing rehabilitation.
• Ability to meet with people and deal effectively with their problems and maintain a firm stand with contractors and the like.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to give assignments and instructions to employees.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Successful completion of a course in Principals of Housing Inspection may be substituted for six (6) months of the specified nonsupervisory experience.