Zoning Investigator I

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. 

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. 

THE AGENCY

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. 

 

THE POSITION

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.

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.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• 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  

 

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3)  An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.  CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

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 may 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.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing	Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Review of Minimum Qualifications	Monday, May 16, 2016
Screening For Best Qualified	Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Panel Interviews	Tuesday, June 7, 2016

 

 

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.   Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

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. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box 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 job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Debra Robinson,  Human Resources Analyst III

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

510-272-6437

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer