Lead (Based Paint) Assessment Specialist
Lead (Based Paint) Assessment Specialist
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Starting Wage: $24.2577 Hourly
Characteristics of the Job:
Under direction of the City Planner, determines the risk of lead based paint in substandard single and multi-family structures; prepares requirements for rehabilitative, remodeling and lead abatement work; and conducts inspections and investigations in a variety of settings to meet the objectives in primary and secondary prevention of lead poisoning. Independent judgment is exercised within area of expertise which does not go beyond the bounds of established department rules, standards and policies.
The existence of this position depends on the availability of local, state and federal funding.
In 2019 the City received a Lead Hazard Control Reduction Grant in the amount of $2.4M for the next 3.5 years. Additionally, this is the 45th consecutive year the City will receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
Examples of Duties: Other duties may be assigned.
- Inspect designated properties to determine the scope of rehabilitation work required and advise homeowners of work needed.
- Prepare contract specifications for rehabilitation work; evaluate bids; review and monitor work progress to ensure adherence to specifications.
- Perform environmental lead inspections/risk assessments and clearances.
- Assist with zoning complaints, nuisance and vegetation code enforcement.
- Collect samples of paint, soil and water for analysis as required for assigned cases or target areas of known or suspected lead poisoning.
- Prepare correspondence to notify property owners, tenants and landlords of lead hazards or code violations.
- Attend meetings, inspections or hearings with other inspectors and/or other City staff members.
- Work cooperatively with the Public Works and Law Departments to ensure activities are carried out in accordance with the policies, ordinances, goals and objectives of the organization.
- Provide general guidance and education to property owners regarding actions necessary to abate/mitigate existing lead hazards.
- Notify supervisor of situations that warrant higher-level intervention or enforcement action.
- Prepare and submit operational, inspection, investigative and abatement reports, along with statistical records for review by supervisory personnel.
- Testify in court or administrative adjudications concerning work performed and observations made.
- Document findings toward stated goals and objectives in a clear, concise and legible manner.
- Ensure quality control and integrity of data gathered or generated.
- Fill in for Building Section inspectors as needed, to include inspecting new construction, renovations, rehabilitation, additions, repairs, replacements and installations and record findings and comments.
Requirements:
Training and Experience:
High school diploma or GED equivalent and two years of college level courses related to building construction or engineering; considerable experience in the building trades, residential construction preferred; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills. Experience with lead assessment and abatement preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge of acceptable practices and standards of environmental lead inspections and risk assessments and local code compliance regulations including those related to nuisance and vegetation code violations; of residential building codes and local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines regarding rehabilitation programs; knowledge of historic renovation principles and methods; thorough knowledge of sociological, economic and political aspects of community development as it relates to the risks associated with lead based paint; and of methods, techniques, tools, instruments, and equipment used in environmental sampling and testing; and working knowledge of the laws and regulations that impact the work performed and supervised.
- Excellent skill in customer service and in maintaining effective working relationships with other City employees, property owners, contractors and the general public; advanced skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing, with groups and individuals; skill in organizing, completing and reporting on projects; dealing with diverse cultures and in operating Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of the materials and situations encountered on the job; write reports, business correspondence and procedures; explain, interpret and enforce codes, regulations and ordinances in a firm, tactful and impartial manner; inspect and evaluate existing housing in order to detect violations and to recommend a program of changes; effectively present information and respond to questions from tenants, landlords, outside organizations, managers, elected officials, employees and the general public; testify truthfully, accurately and fully, as required from time to time; exercise sound judgment in making decisions in accordance with ordinances, regulations and established departmental policies; interpret instructions, plans, specifications and engineering drawings in written, oral, picture or schedule form; deal with problems involving several variables in standardized and non-standardized situations; and use code compliance software – Superion and Housing Developer Pro software preferred.
Licenses, Registrations and Certifications:
- Valid Illinois driver’s license or equivalent.
- Valid Illinois Lead Risk Assessor license within four (4) months of hire.
- The training and cost associated with obtaining this license will be provided by the City.
- Valid Illinois Lead Inspector license within four (4) months of hire.
- The training and cost associated with obtaining this license will be provided by the City.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or hear; occasionally required to stand, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift and move up to 25 pounds; and occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold and extreme heat. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Equal Employment Opportunity