Assistant Housing/Property Maintenance Official

Salary: $62,530.00 - $98,359.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04682
Department: PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMT
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 12:00 PM Eastern

Description

Under limited supervision, performs supervisory administrative and technical work supervising the enforcement of State and local building codes applicable to residential housing during Housing/Property Maintenance Official's absence. Work involves planning and supervising subordinate Inspectors and participating in housing inspections, implementing and enforcing the Rental Occupancy Program for code compliance, and responding to inquiries and complaints from the general public. Employee is also responsible for performing inspections and enforcing codes pertaining to upkeep of grounds around residential housing and vacant lots, initiating legal action in cases of code violations, and for maintaining various records associated with building inspection cases. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors and the general public. Reports to the Housing/Property Maintenance Official.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs the duties of the Housing/Property Maintenance Official during his/her absence, which includes supervising and managing the daily functions of the Property Maintenance Division.
• Assists other staff by researching specific provisions of codes, ordinances, and related City policies.
• Addresses complaints, communicates abatement action, and provides required follow up.
• Reviews 3rd party elevator inspection reports for compliance.
• Enters inspection data, results, and reports into an automated database, prepares violation notification and corrective direction.
• Communicates with other city departments to coordinate and exchange work, information and develops solutions to interdepartmental development issues.
• Issues permits for sponsored home certification in the absence of the Housing/Property Maintenance Official.
• Trains new and existing inspectors on code violations (State and City Ordinances); assists in the interpretation of codes.
• Provides training to new and existing staff on Crisistrack damage assessment software and equipment.
• Attends meetings related to Historical District and provides reports in Housing/Property Maintenance Official's absence. Provides input based on expertise and observations, as appropriate
• Operates and maintains a city vehicle and all other issued equipment.
• Manages inspection schedule and maintains inspection reports.
• Testifies in court, as required.
• Follows established industry safety guidelines and practices and utilizes necessary safety equipment.
• Attends training to earn and maintain continuous education and certification requirements as required by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Code Administration.
• Maintains a current knowledge of City and department policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Assist the Housing/Property Maintenance Official with advertisement and court notification of complex demolition cases, which include sending final notifications, checking current ownership via clerk records, and make sure all notices have been properly posted on site.
• Responds to emergency calls after-hours as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and Certification as an International Code Council of Virginia (ICC/VA) Property Maintenance Inspector.
• Requires the Commonwealth of Virginia Property Maintenance Official Certificate and at least five (5) years of responsible experience as a Property Maintenance Inspector, or related field, or any equivalent combination of experience.
• Certification in Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study (FEMA IS) 100, 200, 700, 800 required
• Requires a valid driver's license.
• NCPCCI General Elevator Certification within 12 months of hire.

Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of modern housing construction practices, materials, and equipment and of the various stages of construction when violations and defects should be observed and corrected.
• Knowledge of the regulations and provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code.
• Knowledge of local and State housing codes and laws, including rules and regulations of the Rental Occupancy Program.
• Knowledge of Section 8 and Public Housing Quality Standards as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Knowledge of engineering principles as applied to the design and construction of a broad range of building structures and facilities.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of housing inspection and code enforcement.
• Knowledge of the geographic layout of the City. Has general knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications accurately and make comparisons with construction in progress.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, correspondents and forms, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence and reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instruction furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to use and interpret housing codes, mechanical and electrical terminology and language used within the department.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and to utilize basic systems of algebra and geometry. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements
Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machinery including a computer, calculator, copier, etc., and an automobile. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of 10 to 15 pounds. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately; to operate motor vehicles. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently hold an ICC/VA Property Maintenance Inspector certification?

• Yes
• No