Zoning Investigator I

The Community Development Agency's mission is to enhance the quality-of-life of County residents and plan for the future well-being of the County's diverse communities; to balance the physical, economic, and social needs of County residents through land use planning, environmental management, neighborhood improvement, and community development; and to promote and protect agriculture, the environment, economic vitality and human health.

Code Enforcement Program
The County's Code Enforcement Staff works together with neighborhood associations, residents and business owners to eliminate those situations that could lead to unsightly and decaying conditions.

 

Ideal Candidate Statement

In addition, to meeting the minimum qualifications, the Ideal Candidate will have a proven track- record in:

• Have achieved a satisfactorily level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position   related areas
• Operating  computer applications ; i.e. creating spreadsheets; use of templates to develop   letters, public websites and applications for public search
• Established courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently
• Maintained effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment
• Developed and used collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals
• Assimilated and applied new-job-related information
• Identified and understand issues, problems, and opportunities
• Monitored the results of delegations assignments, or projects
• Maintained stable performance under pressure or opposition

 

Zoning Investigators are primarily responsible for the office and field investigation work involved in the enforcement of land-use codes and ordinances dealing with zoning, subdivision, surface mining, neighborhood preservation, abandoned vehicles, and sign amortization. Investigative work includes reviewing and resolving complaints of violations involving the misuse of buildings, vehicles and property; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The class of Zoning Investigator is a flexible staffed series found in the Planning Department of the Community Development Agency.

Under close supervision, incumbents in the classification of Zoning Investigator I perform the simpler office and field investigation work. The more complex aspects of office and field investigation work are either performed by higher-level Zoning Investigators, or under their close supervision. This classification is distinguished from the Zoning Investigator II in that the latter performs the full range of journey level functions related to office and field investigation work such as recurring complaints relating to problem properties. Upon completion of one year as a Zoning Investigator I, incumbents are evaluated for potentially flexing up to Zoning Investigator II once departmental and program policies and procedures are learned.

One year full-time experience in the classification of Planning Technician III or an equal or higher classification in the Alameda County Community Development Agency's Planning Department.

Or

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in investigative work for a public agency in zoning, law enforcement, building inspection, health inspection, welfare, or construction sales; or, two years full time experience dealing directly with complaints from the public or enforcing codes, regulations and/or standards.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Elements of planning and zoning theory.
• Basic legal principles relating to law enforcement.
• Effective investigative techniques, including interviewing and rules of evidence.
• Effective public relations techniques.
• Related computer applications.

Ability to:
• Learn and enforce laws and ordinances governing land use.
• Plan and organize work.
• Analyze and solve problems.
• Make decisions.
• Exercise analytical ability, tact, and good judgment in land-use ordinance enforcement.
• Work effectively with citizens, homeowner groups, boards, and commissions.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced selection process.

 

Tentative Recruitment Plan:

**Recruitment Closes (LDF) - 04/21/2013

**Screening for Minimum Qualifications - 04/26/2013

**Supplement Questionnaire Screening for Best Qualified - 4/29/2013

**Oral Interviews (Exam) - 05/16/13 and 05/17/2013

 

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

 

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

 RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan governed under the provisions of the California Government Code and  is commonly referred to as a 1937 Act retirement system. County retirement is based upon several factors including but not limited to one’s age upon entrance into the retirement system, the year entrance occurred, contributions made into the retirement system, compensation and years of service. Specific questions regarding the County’s retirement system should be directed to the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association.   

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

 

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email.  Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use.  If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you.  All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account.  You  will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the “My applications” button on the Current Job Openings page.
 

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied.  The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.  
 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system.  Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox.  If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs.  You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For additional information, please contact:

Debra Robinson| Human Resources Analyst III

Human Resource Services Division, Alameda County

1405 Lakeside Drive | Oakland, California 94612

Office 510-272-6437| Facsimile 510-272-6424

Debra.Robinson@acgov.org | www.acgov.org