Code Enforcement Certificate Program Required Courses

gace-required-courses.pdf (uga.edu)

 

Code Enforcement Certificate Program Required Courses
REQUIRED CURRICULUM

(Not required to be taken in specific order, but participant should enroll in same module all days of the
conference)
• Level I: participant must complete 45 hours of course work and pass a written exam after each
course with a grade of 70 or better. Time frame invested in earning a Level I
Certificate is three conferences.
• Level II: participants must complete an additional 45 hours of course work with the same
requirement of successfully passing a written exam for each course with a grade of 70 or better.
Time frame invested in earning a Level II Certificate is three conferences after
completing Level I.

Module One: Basics of Code Enforcement (15 hours):

Politics in Code Enforcement (3 hours)
The word “politics” often carries a negative connotation. Further, some people feel that politics
interfere with their work. This course will help code officers understand the unique perspective of
elected officials. Also, the course will explore how code officers can work productively with elected
officials.

Community Support for Code Enforcement (3 hours)
Building Citizen Support for Code Enforcement Programs will focus on strategies for engaging
citizens, agencies, and organizations to support and promote local code enforcement initiatives. The
course will include a look at how to use personal and professional attributes to foster relationships
and to create a proactive code enforcement department. Best practices for proactive code enforcement
programs will be reviewed. Participants will have the opportunity to analyze their current department
and consider new strategies.

Managing the Daily Operations of a Code Enforcement Officer (6 hours)
Code enforcement officers must use their time, energy, and resources to maximize their daily
production. Organizational skills can assist officers with maintaining records, prioritizing tasks, and
planning for the future. While managing time and workplace demands, officers may feel the negative
effects of stress. This course will address specific organizational skills and stress management
techniques to help officers be successful in the workplace.

Inspecting, Permitting, and Planning Duties of the Code Enforcement Officer (3 hours)
While knowing laws and code ordinances is a must for CEOs, much of the officer’s job takes place in
the field. This class will focus on learning how to look for zoning and property maintenance code
violations. Additionally basic processes and guidelines for permitting will be introduced. This course
will also tie fundamental planning concepts and code enforcement work together to coordinate
planning and zoning within a jurisdiction.

Module Two: Working in the Public Sector for Code Enforcement Officers (15 hours):

Cultural Differences in Code Enforcement (6 hours)
Georgia has a very diverse population, many segments of which are unfamiliar with the property
maintenance expectations of the local governments where they live. The work of the code enforcement
officer can be significantly enhanced by knowing more about the languages and cultures of diverse
groups. This session will give participants tools and insights to interact with greater cultural
sensitivity, and to do so in a manner that is more likely to result in cooperation with code officers and
compliance with their requests.

Safety Tactics in Code Enforcement (6 hours)
A code enforcer’s interactions with community members can turn hostile. Learn how to spot the early
warning signs of hostility and how to deal with hostile situations when you find yourself in the midst
of them. Also, field inspections can go bad. Learn about preparing for inspections with an emphasis
on code officer safety. Learn to anticipate danger and develop steps to enhance the safety of
inspection sites such as overgrown fields, dilapidated buildings, derelict trailers, and old industrial
sites.

Dealing with Difficult Situations/Anger Management (3 hours)
Code enforcement officers are faced with difficult situations with co-workers, citizens, and others.
These situations can be upsetting to all those involved. In this course, officers will learn different
methods, strategies, and communication tactics for managing and diffusing difficult situations.
Staying calm, diffusing conflict, and maintaining dignity will be the central concepts in this course.

 

Module Three: Communication for the Code Enforcement Officer (15 hours):

Public Service Ethics (6 hours)
Public service ethics are driven by a set of values that are distinct from ethics practiced in everyday
private life. Participants will examine the importance of ethical conduct in the administration of their
public duties in this essential course. Also, they will gain knowledge about ethical practices that apply
to public employees and will analyze ethical dilemmas that code officers might face during the
discharge of their duties. Differences between compliance with law and ethical practice will also be
explored.

Communication (6 hours)
Each week, code officers encounter and communicate with co-workers, supervisors, and members of
the public. This course demonstrates how to communicate in a way that enhances workplace
effectiveness. Participants will learn skills for communicating better in the workplace, and they will
engage in exercises to access their present skills and practice new ones.

Customer Service (3 hours)
In this course, participants will learn that providing high-quality service to external customers begins
with effective internal processes. They will learn how to examine the needs of internal customers
within their places of work in order to achieve better working relationships and more efficient
processes, all of which will enhance the services provided to their external customers. In addition,
techniques for handling difficult customers will be addressed.

Module Four: Implementation of the Codes in Code Enforcement (15 hours):

Enforcement Techniques and Investigation (6 hours)
Code officers must use the most effective enforcement techniques possible to bring property owners
into compliance with code ordinances and proper investigative processes when property owners
refuse to comply. In this class, participants will learn methods for making and resolving enforcement
cases including standard procedures, proper documentation, public education concerning code issues,
non-regulatory enforcement techniques for accomplishing code enforcement policy goals, and ways to
create opportunities for compliance. Participants will also learn fundamentals of building a defensible
case based on properly executed investigation processes. Topics will include investigation, evidence,
search warrants and inspection warrants, statements, Subpoenas Duces Tecum, and legal processes.

Housing and the ICC Property Maintenance Code (6 hours)
This course provides an overview of the housing rehabilitation process. Topics include identifying and
estimating deterioration, providing notification to owners and tenants, coordinating work between
agencies, and working with owners and tenants to obtain compliance.

Signage and Right of Way Encroachments (3 hours)
Right-of-way encroachments come in many forms including signs, trailers, landscaping, vehicles,
drainage structures, and more. In addition, adjoining property owners often do not realize where their
property ends and where public property begins. They consider the public right-of-way to be theirs to
use as they please. Regardless of the types of ordinances cities and counties may adopt to regulate
public rights-of-way, local governments have liability for what goes on in these areas. Consequently,
encroachment and right-of-way issues must be addressed. This course will focus on how to treat these
issues fairly, uniformly, and in a manner that complies with current statutes and case law.

Module Five: The Law and Code Enforcement (15 hours):

Preparing a Case for Court (6 hours)
In some cases, code officers are unable to get code violators to come into compliance with ordinances
without taking their cases to court. In such situations, code officers must do their jobs in such a way
as to aid in preparing these cases for court. In this course, code officers will learn key information that
will assist them in preparing a case for court, including important factors to consider, case strategy,
tips for drafting citations, legal options, and using sentencing or other remedies available to obtain
compliance.

Legal Aspects in Code Enforcement (9 hours)
This class will provide an understanding of the legal foundation upon which code enforcement rests.
Participants will learn many of the legal parameters in which they must work, including the history of
ordinances and their enforcement, the hierarchy of laws and courts, the structure of local government,
constitutional provisions relating to enforcement cases, “home rule,” state laws relevant to
enforcement cases, common ordinance provisions, types of court proceedings and the courts in which
they are brought, and legal procedures.

Module Six: The Environment and Code Enforcement (15 hours):

Environmental Protection and Environmental Nuisance Abatement (6 hours)
This course examines various environmental issues including how to protect the ecosystems and
natural processes that must remain balanced for our communities to sustain a high quality of life.
This course also covers recycling, air and water pollution, insects, noxious weeds, erosion and
sedimentation, and other environmentally based nuisances.

Handling Special and Hazardous Materials (9 hours)
This course will outline how a code enforcement officer should deal with asbestos, demolition waste,
paint, chemicals, and other barrels containing unknown substances. All of these present problems for
the code enforcement officer, especially where there is not a readily available responsible party.
Representatives from Georgia EPD will discuss current laws and practices relevant to every code
officer who must deal with these enforcement issues.

Level III (Leadership and Management)
Level III certificate program requires the completion of 75 hours in a separate curriculum consisting
of technical and leadership/management courses. Upon successful completion of course work,
participants must complete a final assignment. Time frame invested in earning a Level III
certificate is five conferences and completing a final assignment.

Budgeting (6 hours)
Each year code enforcement officers serving as department heads are required to prepare, submit,
and administer their departmental budgets. The successful development and presentation of a code
enforcement budget will have much to do with the success of the code enforcement office from which
it originates. In this course, participants will develop goals, objectives, and performance measures for
departmental budgets. The course will also include a discussion of best practices for budget building,
budget terms, financially mandated requirements, and processes for preparing and managing
budgets.

Business Writing II (9 hours)
This course will review the foundations of writing from Business Writing I including grammar,
punctuation, and sentence structure. In addition, the class will focus on drafting documents such as
letters, emails, memoranda, and short reports.

Coaching and Positive Discipline (9 hours)
As a manager, the ability to effectively coach employees is both a responsibility and a critical skill.
This course will focus on the basics of supportive communication, the difference between coaching
and counseling, and strategies to decrease unproductive behavior and maximize performance.
Participants will practice coaching and positive discipline methods that have proven to be effective.

Conflict Management and Resolution (6 hours)
In this course, participants will identify sources of conflict and consider their implications. Conflict
resolution strategies will be described, compared, and practiced. In this way, the code enforcement
manager will be better equipped to resolve or diffuse commonplace workplace conflict by enacting the
most appropriate resolution strategy.

Continuous Improvement (6 hours)
Continuous improvement is a path to more efficient and effective operational processes. This course
will introduce concepts of learning organizations and systems thinking, and basic quality tools will be
presented and practiced. In addition, practical possibilities for continuous improvement in code
enforcement work will be identified.

Effective Communication (6 hours)
The ability to communicate effectively is a core management competency. Although communication
may seem like a simple concept, miscommunication creates confusion, conflict, and frustration and
can diminish a code enforcer’s capacity for effective leadership. Course participants will focus on
enhancing workplace communication skills through practice, exercises, and an increased
understanding of the components of effective communication.

Ethical Use of Power (9 hours)
This course provides an overview of governmental ethics by highlighting the principles and issues
most relevant to local governments. Participants will increase their understanding of public sector
ethics and recognize the need to continuously clarify and reinforce organizational values. Ethical
decision-making and power and its sources will be addressed, along with the potential for abuse of
power. Participants will analyze some ethical dilemmas that code enforcement and other local
government managers might encounter. In addition, transforming power into influence, selecting an
appropriate influence strategy, and acting assertively will be discussed.

ICC Legal Management (15 hours)
This course provides an overview of the material covered on the 2012 ICC Legal/Management Module
Certification Examination. The following materials will be reviewed: 2012 International Building
Code, 2012 International Fire Code, 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, 2012
International Residential Code, 2002 Legal Aspects of Code Administration, 2007 Building
Department Administration Manual, 3d Ed., Basic Code Enforcement manual (2002 or newer ed.),
Human Resource Management: An Essential Guide, 3d Ed., and A Budgeting Guide for Local
Government, 2d Ed.

ICC Property Maintenance (15 hours)
This course provides an overview of the material covered on the ICC Property Maintenance
Certification Examination. The class will review and provide a greater understanding of the Legal
Aspects of Code Enforcement as well as basic 2012 Property Maintenance Code. Also, it will include a
brief review of material found in the 2012 International Residential Code that impacts the ICC
Property Maintenance Code.

ICC Zoning (9 hours)
The ICC Zoning Code promotes uniformity and consistency in zoning for city planners, code officials,
and developers. This course provides an overview of the material covered on the ICC Zoning
Certification Examination, including legal aspects of zoning, use districts, the duties of Zoning
officials and planning commissions, and how the zoning process works.

Leading Teams and Group Dynamics (9 hours)
One requirement of an effective team leader is to possess a fundamental understanding of group
dynamics. This course will explore the notion that diversity in team member experience, talent, and
personality preference is a key determinant of productive, effective workplace teams. It will also
examine the appropriate use of teams in the workplace, the challenges that many face, and ways to
overcome those challenges. Course participants will gain an understanding of the team leader’s
facilitation responsibilities and how successful, productive teams develop and promote organizational
success.

Managing Performance (9 hours)
Effectively managing the performance of an entire work unit or an individual employee requires
multiple competencies but is significantly enhanced through the use of objective measurement. In
other words, quantitative measures, qualitative measures, and productivity measures as well as
understanding financial and human resources help determine the effectiveness and efficiency of an
organization or department. In this course, performance management as an ongoing effort and
important tool of effective managers will be explored. Performance evaluations and appraisals will be
considered as one component of performance management.

Motivation and Delegation (6 hours)
Cultivating a motivating work environment is but one of a manager’s many responsibilities. Yet
successfully fulfilling this single responsibility yields many organizational benefits in terms of
efficiency, effectiveness, and reduced costs. Understanding job satisfaction and assessing the
workplace environment to determine the factors that might motivate and demotivate employees will
be considered. In this course, participants will explore the Situational Leadership® Model and
acquire knowledge about how to apply it, its relevance to delegation, and the benefits that can be
accrued through its application. Code enforcement managers will gain additional tools and strategies
for increasing employee motivation, thereby enhancing performance.

Navigating Change (9 hours)
This course will provide an overview of the changes that code officers may face in local government
currently and into the future. Participants will learn about a model for navigating change effectively
that may be used whether responding to changing conditions or leading positive change efforts.
Classroom activities will include the opportunity to put this model to action, using its steps on actual
examples and considering how it could be applied in various situations. Although the effects of change
cannot be predicted, applying these steps can help one prepare to effectively and positively navigate
change.

Negotiation and Mediation (6 hours)
From interpersonal relationships with co-workers and employees to working with citizen groups,
managers are negotiating either informally or formally, to some degree, on a daily basis. During this
course, negotiation and mediation will be defined and compared. The factors that enable and hinder
effective negotiation will be explored. Recommended alternatives to resolving complex and difficult
issues will be presented. The steps to a successful negotiation process will be outlined and practiced
with common code enforcement manager situations considered.

Ordinances (6 hours)
This course will provide an overview of topics that should be addressed in the ordinances that make
up a local government code with emphasis on differences between various jurisdictions—rural,
suburban, and metropolitan—as well as jurisdictions with different needs based on things such as
topography and land features. Specifically, the course will address the following: (a) zoning and how it
works; (b) the requirements of minimum standard codes; (c) subdivision regulations; (d)
considerations that arise in drafting ordinances regulating certain specific, unique uses such as signs,
adult businesses, landfills, churches and religious institutions, etc.; (e) statutory rules of construction
and interpretation and their effect on the creation of ordinances; and (f) code enforcement. In
addition, participants will examine sample ordinances to see how they are written.

Powerful Presentations (9 hours)
While interpersonal communication is a critical managerial skill, managers must also present ideas,
concepts, projects, recommendations, and reports to groups. Through practice activities, participants
will gain skills in developing presentation content and delivering highly effective presentations to
various audiences encountered in the workplace. Tips for addressing the media will also be addressed.

Public Sector Leadership (6 hours)
While some characteristics are shared, leading in the public sector is different from leading in the
private sector. Code enforcers become public leaders by virtue of their employment; therefore, a
broad understanding of public sector leadership is critical to the code enforcement manager’s
organizational success and effectiveness. This course will explore foundational public service values in
the context of the fundamental challenges experienced when leading in the public sector. Managing
and leading in today’s code enforcement environment will be considered.

Role of the Manager (9 hours)
Occupying an organizational place between employees and executive leadership, managers can be
found at various organizational levels. While specific manager duties may differ by organization, any
local government manager fills a broad range of roles in their day-to-day activities. Using a competing
values framework, the course outlines and explores managerial roles that are shared by most
managers—though exercised to varying degrees. Course activities will highlight the skills and abilities
needed for effective management and clarify the responsibilities of the code enforcement manager.

Strategic Planning (6 hours)
Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to determine where you are, where you need or want to be,
and how to get there. This course will teach code enforcers how to exercise appropriate discretion in
the areas under their control to ensure responsiveness to citizens and stakeholders, to develop good
strategies to deal with changed and changing circumstances, and to develop a basis for decisionmaking.
During this interactive course, participants will explore the key components and processes of
sound strategic planning.

Elective Curriculum/Continuing Education
(36 hours every three years from receipt of last certificate achieved)

Airborne Viruses, Mold, and Bacteria (3 hours)
The scope of local enforcement activity as it pertains to airborne viruses, mold, and bacteria continues
to expand as more and more information about these human hazards becomes known. Although the
responsibility for enforcement matters relating to these hazards may be shared with environmental,
public health, and other government offices, the science, enforcement tenets, and practices are
similar. This course provides information on airborne viruses, mold, and bacteria for the code officer
who is called upon to monitor situations involving these substances.

Basic Supervisory Skills (3 hours)
Many code officers are responsible for supervising and directing others. As such, proper supervision is
important. In fact, some studies show that many resignations occur because the person leaving
his/her position is dissatisfied with the quality of supervision he/she receives. This course discusses
some of the most important aspects of good supervision, including motivation, delegation, task
alignment, and teamwork.

Change Management (6 hours)
In this course, the realities of a rapidly changing work environment will be discussed. The dynamics of
change and why people tend to resist change will be considered along with appropriate responses to
change. Using actual examples, code enforcers will prepare a personal mission statement as a way to
address their response to current, evolving, or probable changes in their work environment.

Code Enforcement and Mobile Homes (6 hours)
This course will provide an overview of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 as well
as Georgia laws regulating the installation of homes without installation manuals. Also, it will cover
manufacturers’ installation instructions, regulations pertaining to siding and roofing installation and
completion, and laws pertaining to demolition and disposal.

Codes and Fire Suppression (3 hours)
Code officers are required to deal with a wide range of enforcement issues. Some concern fire hazards.
This course will address rules, procedures, and practices relevant to burning, fire prevention and
suppression, and NFPA resources available to code officers.

Disaster Recovery and Debris Removal (6 hours)
Learn best practices for preparing and planning for the code officer’s role in these situations. In the
aftermath of natural disasters or when simply dealing with the removal of debris, code enforcement
officers must work closely with public works employees and, sometimes, with state and federal
officials to ensure safe and efficient clean-up and recovery.

Drugs, Chemicals, and Other Contraband (3 hours)
Persons who may, coincidentally, be in possession of illegal substances may receive an unrelated visit
from a local code officer or be the subject of a citizen complaint. This course will help code
enforcement officers learn more of the signs and evidences of illegal activity that can be turned over to
sheriff/police officers—possibly resulting in help obtaining compliance regarding the violations
originally investigated. The session will offer strategies for enhancing interdepartmental cooperation
with law enforcement agencies.

Hoarding (6 hours)
In this course, participants will learn what hoarding is and why some people become hoarders. The
class will also explore the dangers of hoarding and how to work with hoarders to resolve dangerous
situations.

Homeland Security in Code Enforcement (3 hours)
The course will address the topic of Homeland Security. It will focus on how federal, state, and local
security issues impact the work of code enforcement. Participants will learn how to stay vigilant and
alert in order to spot the warning signs of a potential security breach as well as which federal, state,
and local organizations or agencies to contact in the face of an actual or suspected security-related
situation.

Human Resource Issues in the Workplace (6 hours)
While the human resources department is responsible for the benefits, salary administration,
recruitment, selection, and overall training of employees, the code enforcement officer manages
direct-reports and works with a variety of employees in the organization. This course, designed
specifically for code enforcement officers, provides a solid understanding of the interview and hiring
processes, employee performance appraisals, and basic legal issues related to government
employment.

New Technologies in Code Enforcement (3 hours)
Technology can make the job of code enforcement more effective and efficient if it is understood and
compatible with other technology already in place. The course will review technologies currently
being used by code enforcement officers, new technologies available for use, how to justify the
acquisition of technology for code enforcement, and how to use technology for the maximum benefit
of your local jurisdiction.

Principles of Leadership (3 hours)
Code officers occupy positions of leadership, perhaps because of the staff they supervise, but also
because they enforce policies that bring about change in communities. Understanding the role of the
code officer as a local leader places the job of code enforcement and the value of the service provided
by code officers in a larger context. This course will help code enforcers better understand the impact
of the service they provide to local government and its citizens, and it will encourage a new
commitment to the ideals of public service.

Self Defense for the Code Enforcement Officer (3 hours)
Code Enforcement Officers face a wide variety of dangers in the field each day. The course provides
an opportunity to learn a system of practical, proven self-defense techniques and educate the
participants in the strategies of personal safety and awareness. During class, participants will learn
how to use appropriate maneuvers to counter an immediate threat of violence from armed and
unarmed individuals, how to use and break free of basic holds, how to safely subdue an attacker, learn
the vulnerable parts of the body, and learn to de—escalate or escape potentially violent situations
through assertiveness, confrontation and self-defense techniques.