Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE ERIE COUNTY TOWNS AND VILLAGES. Successful candidates will be eligible for appointment *ONLY* in the municipality in which they were employed at the time of the written test. 

There is one anticipated vacancy each in the Town of Grand Island, Town of Hamburg and Village of Kenmore.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill these vacancies and other appropriate vacancies which may occur in municipalities or districts under the jurisdiction of Erie County Civil Service while this list is active.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will not supersede currently existing promotional eligible lists for this title, if any. The duration of all promotional eligible lists is four years from date of establishment unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of Duties:

A Code Enforcement Officer makes inspections of building construction and repair within a municipality and enforcing the provisions of local building and zoning laws, and under the general direction of the municipal legislative body or administrative officer, is responsible for enforcing state and municipal standards for the construction of all buildings and equipment therein, including standards for materials used and for safety and sanitary conditions;

Reviews, checks and passes on plans and specifications submitted with building permit applications for compliance with building code, the zoning ordinance and applicable laws prior to issuing permits;

Inspects buildings and structures in the process of construction or repair for compliance with approved plans and specifications of all requirements of applicable ordinances and laws, including New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code;

Issues building permits and furnishes the prescribed certificates of occupancy upon application;

Explains the requirements of the local building code, local zoning ordinances and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code law and other applicable laws to building contractors and to the general public;

Provides for removal of illegal or unsafe conditions and secures the necessary safeguards during construction; 

Orders unsafe conditions in existing structures to be removed and arranges for condemnation notices to owners and builders of improper or hazardous structures;

Inspects existing buildings and structures to insure their conformity with safety standards and elimination of fire hazards;

May conduct investigation of source, origin and circumstances of fires and fire prevention code;

Investigates complaints and assists in prosecuting violations of the building and fire prevention code and zoning ordinances;

Prepares reports and keeps related records and may supervise a small-sized staff.

Qualifications:

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST: Candidates must be permanently employed in the competitive class and must be serving and have served continuously on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class for 24 months immediately preceding the date of the written test in the position of Assistant Code Enforcement Officer.

SPECIAL TRAINING & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT required under Section I59-A, New York State Executive Law: 434.5 Certification of Code Enforcement Personne1- The New York State Fire Administrator shall certify code enforcement personnel as having successfully completed one or more of the training programs set forth in this Part as follows: Probationary and non-permanent code enforcement personnel scheduled to perform code enforcement duties an average of more than 20 hours per week shall successfully complete a certified basic training program within 18 months of initial appointment.  Code enforcement personnel not appointed for probationary terms, but appointed on other than a permanent basis and scheduled to perform code enforcement duties an average of between 10 and 20 hours per week shall successfully complete a certified basic training program within 24 months of initial appointment.  Code enforcement personnel not appointed for probationary terms, but appointed on other than a permanent basis and scheduled to perform code enforcement duties an average of less than 10 hours per week shall successfully complete a certified basic training program within 36 months of initial appointment.

Notes:

None.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Inspection procedures and principles

These questions test for knowledge of the appropriate practices and methods to use when inspecting various types of building facilities and projects, including proper adherence to plans and codes, dealing with residents, owners and contractors, and inspection record keeping.

2. Building construction and rehabilitation

These questions test for knowledge of the various methods and materials used when constructing or renovating various types of buildings and their components.

3. Understanding and interpreting building plans and requirements

These questions test for the ability to read, analyze and perform computations based on technical drawings and written technical material related to building facilities and projects. All the information needed to answer the questions will be presented in the written material and/or drawings.

4. Building, housing and zoning laws and codes

These questions test for knowledge of, and the ability to apply, provisions of the Building and Residential Codes of New York State (and the portions of other codes applicable to these two codes), and the general concepts of zoning, including related laws and regulations.

5. Understanding and interpreting written material

These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

INFORMATION FOR PROMOTION CANDIDATES

Unless otherwise indicated, the eligible list resulting from this examination will have a duration of four years and will not supersede existing promotional lists, if any.

RATINGS REQUIRED:  Test is rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70.  Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

Points will be added to scores of candidates who achieve a passing mark as follows: Seniority:  For each year of service in the classified service:

Less than 1 year……………………..................…0 points

1 year up to 6 years…………….…........................1 point

Over 6 years up to 11 years.....………......….........2 points

Over 11 years up to 16 years….…........….........…3 points

Over 16 years up to 21 years………..................…4 points

Over 21 years………………………..................…5 points

VETERANS:  Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 5 and 2.5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the examination.  You must claim these credits when you file application but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment.  If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.