Chief Environmental Specialist

JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW

The Environmental Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court is the only county-wide environmental division in the State of Ohio and has unique statutory authorities. The typical docket of the Environmental Division includes criminal and civil cases that fall within its exclusive jurisdiction authority. The Environmental Division exercises exclusive criminal jurisdiction over matters including but not limited to animal cruelty, animal fighting, animal confinement, pollution, property maintenance, wildlife, zoning, graffiti, and overweight trucks. Additionally, the Environmental Division has concurrent felony jurisdiction with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, and can hear appeals related to local building, housing, air pollution, sanitation, fire, zoning, property maintenance or safety codes. The Environmental Division has civil injunctive authority to enforce local codes and regulations affecting real property, such as fire and building codes, and is not bound by the monetary limits placed on Municipal Courts.

The Chief Environmental Specialist directly supports the Environmental Division and acts as a liaison officer on environmental issues and performs field work and inspections. The Chief Environmental Specialist manages staff and programs within the Division including but not limited to the Environmental Specialists team, the Community Cleanup Crew staff, and community outreach and education efforts. The Chief Environmental Specialist conducts mediations and field investigations; monitors compliance with court orders; maintains current knowledge in the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units; prepares investigative reports, mediation reports, and expert advisory reports. The Chief Environmental Specialist serves in a liaison role with the Department of Probation Services and may be required to work with probationers on compliance issues. The Chief Environmental Specialist may work in the capacity of a Probation Officer for cases within the Environmental Division's exclusive jurisdiction and/or in the capacity of a Deputy Bailiff for the Environmental Division. The Specialist perform such other duties and tasks as may be designated by the Environmental Judge. This position involves significant work off-site, and from time to time some Court hearings may be held off-site.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• Provide expert assistance to the Division and the parties before the Division on environmental, housing, property maintenance, and zoning matters.
• Conduct mediations between defendants and code enforcement and other Law Enforcement Officers.
• Perform field investigations with code enforcement officers, creates compliance plans to correct violations, and inspects properties to ensure that the violations have been corrected.
• Maintain current knowledge in the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and municipal laws, codes, and ordinances that pertain to the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units.
• Prepare investigative reports, mediation reports, and expert advisory reports for the Environmental Division.
• Represent the Court and the Division with other agencies and the public.
• Prepare and conduct presentations about the Environmental Court to civic associations, areas commissions, block watch groups, and other agencies.
• Monitor newly introduced legislation and legislative amendments in the Ohio General Assembly, attend committee meetings, and testify when necessary.
• Testify before the Court.
• Attend and/or participate in evening and/or weekend meetings as directed.
• Supervise staff including but not limited to Environmental Specialists, Community Service Staff, and other associated staff members.
• Perform Community Control & Probation activities for the Court, as deemed appropriate by the Judge of the Environmental Division.
• Perform Field Investigations and prepare reports to ensure compliance with federal/state/local laws, sentencings, and Court Orders.
• Uphold and Enforce Court Orders as directed by the Judge of the Environmental Division.
• Supervise Community Service Workers while performing cleanups for the Community Cleanup Crew.
• May act as a Deputy Bailiff for the Environmental Division as determined by the Judge of the Environmental Division.
• Prepares year end and periodic reports for Judges, Court Administration, Grant Coordinators, and other individuals on behalf of the Environmental Division.
• Prepares requests for the Environmental Division budget and presents them to Court Administration.
• Develops policies and procedures for the Environmental Division and its staff.
• Maintains personnel, equipment, vehicle, and procedural records on behalf of the Environmental Division.
• Develops and updates educational materials and publications on behalf of the Environmental Division
• Serves as contact person for outreach partners and programs and ensures that Environmental Resource tables are staffed during community events.
• The Chief Environmental Specialist shall be on call to the Court during hearing and status conferences for consultation and as needed onsite inspections.
• The Chief Environmental Specialist shall act as a government relations liaison on behalf of the Environmental Division
• The Chief Environmental Specialist shall be responsible for coordinating with out of county agencies for animal inspection cases
• Manage cases within the Civil Docket to ensure defendants and other parties are abiding by Court orders. This may include ensuring premises are vacant, secure, and operating in compliance with Court orders.
• While performing daily job duties, the Chief Environmental Specialist may encounter individuals who are mentally unstable, may have a criminal record, and who may be armed and dangerous.
• File reports into the record for Environmental Division cases.
• The Chief Environmental Specialist shall be responsible for compiling, maintaining, and reporting inspection related and other relevant data to the Environmental Judge
• The Chief Environmental Specialist shall be responsible for updating and maintaining case notes in the Division's database.
• Provide expert assistance to Court Administration and the General Division in matters related to Environmental, Housing, and Property Maintenance issues.
• Oversee and manage the Environmental Division Community Cleanup Crew to ensure the program succeeds, is properly supplied, and is being operated correctly.
• Ensure that the automobiles owned by the Court and utilized by the Environmental Division are properly maintained.
• The Chief Environmental Specialist may be required to accompany the Judge and/or Magistrate of the Division to offsite educational presentations to provide technical support.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Judge of the Environmental Division.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Animal Science, Criminology, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Criminal Justice
• Current International Code Council (ICC) certification in a relevant field or willingness to become ICC certified within 90 days of employment.
• Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• At least three years of experience in code enforcement for building, zoning, and environmental issues is preferred.
• Knowledge of maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units acquired through experience as an artisan, contractor, landlord, rental manager, apartment maintenance staff member, code enforcement officer, or work in a closely related field.
• Knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws, codes, and ordinances that pertain to the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units acquired through experience in the aforementioned areas.
• General knowledge of federal programs that render financial aid to property owners for home improvements and of community welfare resources to aid persons displaced by orders to vacate.
• Proficiency in operating a personal computer and using, or being able to learn, Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook, and Excel, and CourtView 2000.
• Suitable physical condition for field investigation demands including walking, standing, reaching, lifting, and talking on the job. Must be able to routinely lift and carry objects weighing 40 pounds.
• Flexibility to respond to varying time demands of work schedule (i.e., field investigations, mediations, on-site hearings, and meetings to attend outside of regular work hours).
• Ability to communicate verbally effectively and professionally and in writing in English to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Pleasant personality and ability to deal with potentially difficult people and ability to interact and maintain effective working relationships with judges, employees, attorneys, litigants, law enforcement officers, and others conducting business with the Court.
• Ability to prioritize work, work independently without daily direct supervision, and manage a variety of projects simultaneously in a high volume, high stress courtroom atmosphere under time constraints. Must have good time-management skills and be highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Must be conscious of and sensitive to the diversity within the Court's jurisdiction and able to interact professionally with this diverse population of people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds on a regular basis.
• Professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for the position and the work environment as a representative of the Court.
• Demonstrated dependability, reliability, and excellent attendance record.
• Patience, objectivity, maturity, effectiveness under stress, initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Understanding of the legal terminology and legal procedures that are relevant to the work of the Division and the Court.
• Ability to work in areas where hazardous conditions are present. These hazardous conditions include but are not limited to: severe weather, hazardous materials, unsanitary conditions, wild animals, domestic animals, vicious animals, diseased animals, and dangerous people.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Ohio driver's license and ability to provide own automobile for transportation.
• Additional consideration will be given to an individual who has any of the following qualifications: Supervisory Experience, OPOTA Court Officer Certification, OPOTA Peace Officer Certification, paralegal certification, other advanced schooling; International Code Council (ICC) Certification in Zoning, Property Maintenance and/or Housing; Ohio Registered Sanitarian (R.S.) Certification; prior work experience in a court system, legal environment, or in a position where the applicant had responsibility for zoning, code enforcement, environmental, or similar matters; the ability to speak and write Spanish or a language commonly used by people of Somalia for whom English is a second language; or proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL).

BENEFITS

The Franklin County Municipal Court offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance; short-term disability; generous vacation, sick and personal leave; 11 paid holidays; longevity service payments; sick-leave reciprocity; employee assistance and deferred-compensation programs; tuition reimbursement; and credit-union membership.

Court employees are members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, which provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for public employees. The Court pays the required employer 14 percent of the employee's salary. Court employees do not have Social Security taxes withheld from their paychecks because they are members of OPERS.

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE

In completing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the Court expects the employee will adhere to all court policies, guidelines, practices and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate and thorough manner and be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with supervisor about department issues.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

Employees of the Court are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court; they are not in the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units. The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.

Other details

• Pay Type Salary
• Hiring Rate $87,963.20
• Travel Required Yes
• Required Education Bachelor's Degree

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