Field Investigator

Technical work in the enforcement of the County's Contractor Certification Law.

• Enforces state statutes and county codes related to construction. 
• Checks new construction sites to ascertain if construction personnel are properly licensed. 
• Checks residential areas for home improvement contractors operating without a license or permits. 
• Routinely attends local community meetings to provide education and information on licensing and other pertinent regulations related thereto; provides audio/video presentations as necessary. 
• Stops construction work wherein unlicensed or uninsured contractors are identified. 
• Investigates complaints of consumers against licensed and unlicensed contractors; writes violation notices, citations, investigative reports, hearing notices, and other documents as necessary. 
• Conducts investigations of violations; files for prosecution with the State or County Attorney’s Office.  Appears as witness in civil and criminal litigation proceedings, and at licensing board hearings and special master hearings. 
• Conducts investigative interviews and acquires formal statements. 
• Prepares evidence against licensed and unlicensed contractors for presentation at licensing board meetings, civil and criminal court. 
• Prepares written reports as required. 
• Notifies individuals who are in violation; explains law and attempts to achieve compliance.  
• Prepares and sends correspondence for all violations when unable to resolve, or unable to achieve compliance using verbal communications. 
• Issues citations as necessary for egregious violations.
• Maintains violation file until resolution achieved. Stores and maintains computer photos where appropriate.
• Audits all advertising media for compliance with State and County laws. 
• Performs liaison duties with local and state law enforcement agencies and investigators. 
• Co-ordinates and participate in joint contractor “sting” operations with local law enforcement and state agencies.
• Assist other governmental enforcement agencies with information related to criminal activity of licensed and unlicensed contractors and file necessary reports for same.
• Provide new department personnel training in investigative techniques, computer system program for violations, Florida Statutes and local ordinance.

Unsafe Building Abatement

• Investigates service requests related to unsafe buildings.
• Requests formal right of entry from building owners.
• Obtains and executes inspection warrants as necessary. 
• Performs preliminary inspections of unsafe buildings. 
• Coordinates and documents by digital and/or video camera formal inspections of unsafe buildings with building inspection personnel. 
• Mediates resolution of unsafe conditions contained by buildings, with respective owners. 
• Initiates formal abatement (condemnation) program and performs necessary follow-thru with procedure to conclusion (abatement of unsafe conditions). 
• Ensures all deadlines are complied with and/or met relative to unsafe building abatement procedure. 
• Coordinates with utility companies/agencies for proper shut-off/abandonment of applicable utilities to unsafe buildings. 
• Coordinates with demolition contractors for removal and disposal of building and associated debris.
• Tracks and documents all costs associated with abatement of unsafe conditions. 
• Ensures proper removal of unsafe buildings and/or closure of unsafe building service requests. 
• Assists with maintaining unsafe building service request log. 
• Assists in preparation of information for filing of liens to collect costs. 

Emergency Response 
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.
Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED), and 60 college credit hours in building construction, law enforcement, or equivalent combination of training and job experience.
• Three (3) years experience in building construction, investigatory work, or code enforcement.  

A combination of education and experience may be substituted at the County’s discretion.   


Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations

• Valid Florida driver’s license and must be insurable by our current insurance carrier.  
• Certification as a standard building inspector or one and two family dwelling inspector, or ability to obtain provisional inspector certification and/or law enforcement certification. (Preferred)

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of investigatory techniques and procedures as applied to construction licensing law.
•  Knowledge of possible flaws and defects in building construction and alteration.
•  Ability to explain, interpret and enforce codes and regulations.
•  Ability to present ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
•  Ability to research legal records.
•  Ability to interact with public.

Physical Demands
Constant:   Use of fingers and hands, good near and distant vision, good hearing (without hearing aid), walking.  
Very Frequent:  Standing
Frequent: Driving

Environmental Conditions
Very Frequent:   Work inside.   Frequent:  Work outside in or with a vehicle and works closely with others.

Pay Grade: 7

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.
 
Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. 
 
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Salary : $45,386 - $63,544