Job Description
Salary : $67,425.90 - $112,377.41 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00868
Department: Code Compliance
Opening Date: 05/31/2025
Closing Date: 6/13/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S24
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement This is a reannouncement. Applicants who wish to revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with a revised application. Otherwise, all applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply to be considered. The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) responds to over 8,000 complaints each year related to property maintenance, unpermitted construction, zoning, and other violations of County code. DCC seeks compliance with county codes and ordinances in achieving the mission of the agency: to promote, protect, and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County. The work of the agency is further guided by an annual Equity Impact Plan, in conjunction with the county's One Fairfax Policy and commitment to consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services.
As certified by the state of Virginia (VDHCD) and/or appointed by the relevant Code Official to do so on their behalf, the Code Compliance Investigator II conducts research; field investigations; interviews with residents/community; gathers evidence; and applies a variety of investigative techniques regarding alleged code violations - to include preparation of material for testimony in court and/or other adjudicative bodies (e.g. Board of Zoning Appeals; Local Board of Building Code Appeals). Investigators issue formal Notices of Violation and will communicate with those found in violation to advise of the nature of the violation and provide information on methods to achieving compliance. Investigators are responsible for placarding unsafe premises when necessary.
Investigators must communicate with other stakeholders, including complainants; general public; Board of Supervisor's Staff; and outside governmental agencies, in order to provide educational and other information to support the activities of the agency. Duties are performed under the direction of a Division Supervisor.
Position may be underfilled as a (S22); the Underfill Requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.
Illustrative Duties (The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
- Conducts initial interviews over the phone or face-to-face with complainants to determine the exact nature of complaint and requests further pertinent information;
- Investigates zoning, property maintenance, noise ordinance, and/or unpermitted construction complaints;
- Addresses life safety issues as priorities (unsafe construction, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions such as hoarding);
- Advises violators of ordinance requirements and seeks to gain voluntary compliance;
- Develops investigation plans and coordinates with other agencies or investigators;
- Conducts field investigations and gathers as much evidence as possible within constitutional/fourth amendment constraints;
- Gathers evidence such as photographs, violator and witness statements, and computer and file research;
- Conducts field interviews with violators;
- Recommends the opening of additional cases where the type and extent of violations merits;
- Prepares automated reports of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable codes based on analysis of investigation findings and maintains investigation files;
- Records coded entries in designated database for tracking purposes;
- Prepares and issues Notice of Violations, Stop Work Orders, Unsafe structures reports, memoranda and other correspondence and initiates corrective procedures to obtain voluntary compliance;
- Prepares evidentiary chronologies and Rule to Show Cause for submission to the County Attorney's Office for civil litigation;
- Prepares evidentiary material and for presentation in general district court for the purpose of unclassed misdemeanor prosecutions;
- Employs unique investigative techniques such as stake-outs, neighborhood canvasses, etc. to gain critical information relating to cases;
- Swears to civil affidavits and criminal summonses;
- Testifies in civil and criminal court proceedings, Board of Zoning Appeal hearings, and Board of Building Code Appeal hearings;
- Responds to citizens' queries concerning zoning and property maintenance and other matters;
- Appears at civic association meeting to present educational material;
- Condemns and placards unsafe structures which are dangerous to life, health, and safety of occupants and the public and board up entrances and openings into the structure;
- Conducts follow-ups to ensure that violations have been abated or court ordered mandates have been implemented;
- May coordinate with other county/state/federal agencies when issues have overlapping or joint responsibilities.
Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus two years of relative work experience in the area of code enforcement or equivalent (e.g., performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, or related code enforcement, inspection, investigative or abatement work).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Two years' minimum experience interpreting state and/or county codes and regulations related to zoning, noise, property maintenance, residential, and/or commercial building codes;
- Experience working independently in the field;
- Experience with Planning and Land Use System (PLUS);
- Case management experience;
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and fellow employees;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: - Must have and maintain a valid motor vehicle driver's license;
Must possess two certifications from the following areas as defined by the position description:
- Property Maintenance- Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD);
- Zoning- Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
- Building Certification-(VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in residential construction;
OR
- Building Certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in commercial construction.
(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire an alternate necessary certification within a specified time period following employment which may be substituted for one of the above certifications. The certifications that may be substituted are identified below, in the position description and employment advertisement.)
- Fire Certification as ICC Fire Inspector I
UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS: This position may be underfilled as a (Grade S22; 61,257.25 - $102,095.55). The employment standards for the Code Compliance Investigator I are: Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a field of study related to the enforcement of environmental and property maintenance codes such as urban planning, biological or environmental science, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: - Must have and maintain a valid motor vehicle driver's license;
Must possess one certification from any of the following areas as defined by the position description:
- Property Maintenance- Certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD);
- Zoning -Certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department;
- Building certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in residential construction;
OR
- Building Certification (VDHCD) in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) in commercial construction;
(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire an alternate necessary certification within a specified time period following employment which may be substituted for one of the above certifications. The certifications that may be substituted are identified below, in the position description and employment advertisement.)
- Fire Certification as ICC Fire Inspector
Applicants hired at the Code Compliance Investigator I will be non-competitively promoted to the Code Compliance Investigator II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.
Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Code Compliance Investigator II within one year of the job announcement's closing date.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to climb, walk/traverse rough, icy, or broken terrain: go up and down steep inclines. Ability to distinguish appropriate nomenclature in colors in accordance with the VUSBC and other regulatory codes. Ability to exit structures quickly in case of an emergency/life safety situation. Ability to lawfully operate a county vehicle. Ability to lift 50 lbs. with assistance. Must be able to operate equipment. Work requires the ability to speak clearly and understandably. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise.The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
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Merit Positions Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees' Child Care Center
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions - Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Flexible Spending Program
- Deferred Compensation
- Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
- Less than 12th grade
- High school diploma or GED
- Some college
- Associate's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
- Less than 45 quarter hours
- 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
- 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
- 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
- 180 or more quarter hours
- Less than 30 semester hours
- 30 to less than 60 semester hours
- 60 to less than 90 semester hours
- 90 to less than 120 semester hours
- 120 or more semester hours
- Not applicable
03
Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
- Urban planning
- Biological or environmental science
- Law enforcement
- Legal studies
- Other (related field)
- Other (non-related field)
- Not applicable
04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
Do you currently possess any of the following certifications? Check all that apply.
- Valid motor vehicle driver's license
- Property maintenance certification by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Zoning certificate of completion in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance administered by the department
- Building VDHCD certification in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) in residential construction
- Building VDHCD certification in each of the four disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical) in commercial construction
- Fire certification as ICC Fire Inspector I.
- None of the above
06
How many years of full-time equivalent relative work experience in the area of code enforcement or equivalent (e.g., performing land use, zoning, building, public safety, or related code enforcement, inspection, investigative or abatement work)?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six or more years
07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have interpreting state and/or county codes and regulations related to zoning, noise, property maintenance, residential, and/or commercial building codes?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
08
How many years of full-time equivalent code compliance experience do you have working independently in the field?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
09
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have with Planning and Land Use System (PLUS)?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
10
How many years of full-time equivalent case management experience do you have?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
11
Can you perform the physical requirements of this position with or without accommodations?
Required Question Fairfax County, VA
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Local area, Flexible hours,