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Job Description
The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.
General Description
Probation Period: 6 Months
Vehicle Provided: During working hours
Regular Scheduled Hours: 40
Salary Type: Non-Exempt
The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.
The Town of Longboat Key Is accepting applications for a Full-Time Code Enforcement Office in our Planning, Zoning & Building Department. A pre-employment physical and drug screen will be required, except for current employees who have met the requirement.
FUNCTION
This is a professional position responsible for a variety of inspections to ensure adherence to and identification of violations of Town codes, ordinances, and regulations. The position deals with the public on a daily basis, as well as coordinates with other members of staff. Work involves active participation in related code enforcement activities and compliance with environmental restrictions. Employee works independently, making decisions requiring the use of technical judgement and discretion. Employee is a code inspector as defined in Chapter 33 of the Longboat Key Code of Ordinances and Florida state statute Ch. 162. Work is performed under the direction of the Planning, Zoning and Building Director.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- Investigates violations, both reported and observed, of codes for which the Town has enforcement responsibility, including but not limited to: high grass/weeds, property maintenance standards, unpermitted work, short-term rentals, sea turtle protection, trailer/vehicle parking, environmental hazards, zoning, etc.
- Reviews and investigates business tax receipts to ensure compliance with land use regulations and Town codes and ordinances.
- Investigates ordinance violations; prepares and serves violation letters and notices; documents evidence; prepares reports; gives affidavits and testimony as required for enforcement proceedings; follows up enforcement decisions to ensure compliance.
- Performs research related to the Town Code of Ordinances, and other applicable local, state and federal regulations, as well as previously approved development plans (i.e., building permits, site plans, etc.).
- Consults with the public on a daily basis regarding questions about the Town Code of Ordinances.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and county agencies, developers, contractors, and general public.
- Turtle nest monitoring: performing night inspections (seasonal) of the beach area for turtle lighting and beach obstruction violations.
- Prepares reports and presents findings to the Planning, Zoning and Building Department Director, Town Manager, and Special Magistrate, as requested.
- Prepares and presents cases for hearing before the Special Magistrate, while observing the rules of evidence and court procedures.
- Provides testimony in Circuit Court as required.
- Prepares reports, presentations, and provides recommendations before the Town Commission as required.
- Prepares reports and makes recommendations for ordinance revisions as required.
- Makes presentations to, and answers questions from, various neighborhood and homeowner associations, and civic organizations.
- Performs special projects at the direction of the Planning, Zoning and Building Department Director.
- Reports to work as required by the Disaster Plan Recovery Guide and regular attendance during normal work schedule other than excused or job related absences.
- Any other functions deemed essential by the Town and communicated to the employee by his/her supervisor or department head.
OTHER TASKS
Every incidental duty connected with this position cannot be specified in the job description and an employee, at the discretion of the Town, may be required to perform duties that are not included in this job description.
Knowledge, Abilities, & Qualifications
JOB PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of Town codes, ordinances and regulations in addition to applicable local, state and federal regulations. Knowledge of enforcement procedures, judicial system, code, and public boards and commission. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Town departments, state and county agencies, developers, contractors, and general public.
Ability to work independently, and make sound decisions based on established procedures and municipal regulations. Ability to maintain clear and adequate records. Ability to prepare and present reports, documents and testimony as requested. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationship with the public. Skill in handling complaints and enforcing compliance with regulations in a courteous, efficient manner. Skill in written and oral presentations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED
Bachelor’s degree and certification through Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E.) or inspection background. Levels 1-4 F.A.C.E. certification preferred. Minimum of 1 year of field enforcement experience involving interpreting, documenting, reporting, and correcting violations of regulatory codes or ordinances.
REQUIRED
Must possess or acquire within twelve (12) months of the date of employment, Level 1 code enforcement certification from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement, Inc. (F.A.C.E.). Completion of Sea Turtle Lighting Workshop for Code Enforcement and Building Professionals training from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or Sea Turtle Conservancy or acquire within twelve (12) months of the date of employment. High school graduate with knowledge of code enforcement. Knowledge of regulatory codes and ordinances, including Florida State Statute 162. Inspection experience and/or police investigative experience including rules of evidence and court testimony. Working knowledge of modern office methods, practices, procedures and computer equipment, internet searches, e-mail communication, digital photography including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Valid Florida driver’s license required.
A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
Working Conditions & Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS
Travel to and from work locations. Ability to work out of doors, occasionally under adverse conditions. Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 lbs. Ability to occasionally walk up to two miles over diverse terrain. Work is performed in a variety of locations, inside and outside, as required. Overtime, as required. May require weekend and after 5 p.m. duties as necessary and assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Successful completion of an employment physical, background check including MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) and drug screen to confirm the ability to perform the essential functions of the job (waived for promoted or transferred Town employees who have previously met this requirement); signed Acknowledgement for the attached “Drug Free Workplace Policy” must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more details, visit our Web page at:
https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits
Closing Date/Time: 1/31/2025 11:59 PM Eastern -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Town of Longboat Key
Show moreLongboat Key is an offshore barrier island running roughly north to south and enclosing the western boundary of Sarasota Bay in Southwest Florida. The island’s eastern shoreline has dense mangroves except where canals have been dredged and marinas built. The western shoreline consists of a white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. On both the north and south ends, Longboat Key is separated from neighboring islands by deep water passes from the Gulf to Sarasota Bay. St. Armands Key and Lido Key lie just south of Longboat Key and West of Sarasota. Lido Key is bordered by Sarasota Bay on the East and by the Gulf of Mexico on the West. St. Armands Key is surrounded by Lido Key on the West and Sarasota Bay on the East. Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key are directly connected to each other by bridges.
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GEOGRAPHY
LONGBOAT KEY:
- Land Area: 4.26 square miles
- Length: 10.8 miles
- Width: .05 to 1 mile
- Elevation: 3 to 18 feet
LIDO KEY:
- Land Area: 530 acres
ST. ARMANDS KEY:
- Land Area: 83.6 acres
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POPULATION
LONGBOAT KEY:
- Full-time Residents: 8,000
- Seasonal Residents: 12,000
- Peak Season: 22,000
- Average Age: 66
- Male: 46.1%
- Female: 53.9%
- Avg. Household Income (2013): $175,000
LIDO KEY:
- Full-time Residents 1,475
- Seasonal Residents 1,000
- Peak Season 2,500
ST. ARMANDS KEY:
- Full-time Residents 743
GOVERNMENT
Longboat Key lies in two counties- Manatee on the northern half and Sarasota on the southern half. The island was incorporated as a township in 1955 and is governed by a seven member Town Commission, each serving a two-year term. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term by the Town Commission. Administration is under Town Management with a full complement of departments; building, planning & zoning, finance, town clerk, police and fire/rescue. Additionally the Town maintains coorperative relationships with police and fire rescue in neighboring communities. Lido Key and St. Armands are both in Sarasota County and are governed by the City of Sarasota. The Sarasota City Commission consist of five elected commissioners. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are chosen by the Commisson and serve one year terms. All elections are non-partisan and Sarasota has a Commission Manager form of governement. The Commission appoints a City Manager. City departments include police, public works, building, zoning and code compliance, finance, housing and Community Development, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Planning and Engineering.
TRANSPORTATION
Longboat Key’s primary transportation element is Gulf of Mexico Drive (S.R. 789), a state highway classified as “urban minor arterial” running from the northern to southern ends of the key. All other roadways are Town-owned two lane streets connecting to Gulf of Mexico Drive. St. Armands Key’s primary transportation element is S.R. 789 which takes you around St. Armands Circle into Sarasota. Other roadways on St. Armands Circle are city owned. Lido Key’s primary road is Ben Franklin Drive which is just west of Blvd of the Presidents on St. Armands Circle. All other roadways on Lido Key are owned by the City of Sarasota. The Intracoastal waterway runs through Sarasota Bay and is accessible from Longboat from both the Gulf passes and numerous channels on the island’s bayside. There is public bus transportation serving the islands from Sarasota County. The Sarasota/Bradenton area has an international airport, extensive bus service, major state highways and the interstate highway system.
PUBLIC SAFETY
On Longboat Key there are 60 full-time employees in Police and Fire-Rescue Departments. All Fire-Rescue personnel are certified paramedics or EMT’s. Average response time of Fire-Rescue is only three minutes. Lido Key and St. Armands Key are under the jurisdiction of the City of Sarasota. Police Department and Fire-Rescue is through Sarasota County. Sarasota County has 127 Fire-Rescue personnel serving Lido Key and St. Armands Key and response time is just under three minutes. The City of Sarasota assigns four police to cover St. Armands Key and Lido Key, one of those four officers are present 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
TAXES
State sales tax is 7% in Sarasota County and 6.5% in Manatee County. However, medicines, medical services and most food items are exempt. Sales tax rates for transient rentals are 10.5% in Manatee County and 10% in Sarasota County. Area property taxes average 2% of assessed valuation, which is construed as market value. Taxes are assessed as of January 1 each year by the city, county and/or special taxing districts. All property taxes are conveniently combined in one bill due in November and delinquent if not paid by April 1 of the next year. Each person who owns and resides on real property in Florida on January 1 and makes the property his or her permanent residence is eligible to receive a homestead exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. The additional exemption up to $25,000, applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and only to non-school taxes. You must have a deed, Florida Drivers License, voter’s registration or Declaration of Domicile to apply. Renewals are made through the mail and are automatic unless your status changes.
Tangible Tax – Business property is subject to Florida’s Tangible Tax, which includes everything used in performance of your business except real estate. All businesses whether individual, partnership or corporations, which control, manage, lease or own any tangible personal property such as furniture, equipment, computers, machines, etc. must file a tangible tax return prior to April 1 of each year. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
HOUSING
The islands have a mix of residential condominiums, single-family homes, mobile homes and tourist units. This housing reflects the areas popularity as a haven for retired and working residents, winter residents and tourists.
SARASOTA/BRADENTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, just east of Tamiami Trail (US 41) on the Manatee/Sarasota County line, is a convenient 30 minutes from Longboat Key.
Carriers include Air Canada, Air France, Air Tran Airways, Jet Blue Airways, KLM, United Airlines and US Airways. Commuter service is provided by air Sunshine & Conair. For information call 941-359-5200 or visit online at www.srq-airport.com.
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