With only two code enforcement officers currently employed by the Department of Development, the city is hoping to quickly hire and train two additional code enforcement officers to address various housing issues throughout Jamestown. Pictured, from left, are City Councilwoman Regina Brackman, D-Ward III, Crystal Surdyk, city director of development, and Housing Committee Chairwoman Marie Carrubba, D-Ward IV. P-J photo by Timothy Frudd

With only two code enforcement officers currently working for the Department of Development, the city is hoping to quickly hire and train two additional employees.

Crystal Surdyk, city director of development, reported to the City Council Housing Committee Monday night that the city is currently down to just two code enforcement officers, while community concerns regarding housing issues have increased in recent months.

In response to a community concern by local resident Doug Champ regarding the condition of houses and properties throughout Jamestown, the need to demolish condemned properties and the enforcement of code violations, Surdyk explained that the Department of Development is continuing to address housing issues as best as it can despite currently lacking code enforcement officers.

“We are hiring two code enforcement officers,” she said. “We are looking for a target area enforcement officer, as well as a rehab and code enforcement officer. The rehab position has a little bit more qualification in terms of building envelope and being able to work with different grants.”

Asked how quickly the two code enforcement officers could be trained and start on the job once they are hired, Surdyk said the timeline would depend on whether or not the candidates have completed any previous training prior to being hired. According to new state regulations, Surdyk said the new code enforcement officers would only have 12 months to complete their full training requirements, instead of the 18 months code enforcement officers were given in the past.

“Another thing that we’re at the mercy of is when the trainings are offered,” she said. “There’s a number of different sections in the training. They have to complete the whole first part, which is a pretty big bite. They have to complete that and pass in order to be able to do anything on their own.”

Surdyk said that if someone is hired as a code enforcement officer without any prior training or building code certification, the individual is only allowed to shadow other code enforcement officers and complete part of the training process.

“They can’t write anything up,” she said. “They can’t go out on their own; they have to be with another code enforcement officer at all times.

Asked by the Housing Committee if the city had any internal applicants or candidates with prior training for the code enforcement positions, Surdyk explained that a couple applicants have completed at least part of the certification process for code enforcement officers. However, the city will still conduct its regular interview process and vetting process to determine whether or not the potential candidates would be a “good fit” for the Department of Development.

With interviews scheduled to begin this week, Surdyk said there is a possibility that the city could hire someone for at least one of the two code enforcement positions who has at least completed part of the necessary training for the job.