Neighborhood Inspector

Neighborhood Inspector

Salary

$38.35 - $45.97 Hourly

Location

Des Moines, IA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

6743-08-2026

Department

Neighborhood Services

Division

NS041042 - NS Neighborhood Inspections

Opening Date

08/20/2026

Closing Date

9/3/2026 4:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

MEA

Occupational Group

Civil Service

Location of Vacancy

Neighborhood Services

Recruitment

Entrance

Selection Method

An education and experience rating will be completed on all qualified applicants. Those applicants deemed most qualified may be scheduled for an interview. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942, by the application closing.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Statement of Duties

Performs a variety of inspection and enforcement actions with a proactive community approach. Works with neighborhood groups, the public and other organizations.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to enforce and obtain compliance with the City's housing, environmental health, vector control, noise, odor, graffiti, zoning and public nuisance ordinances and regulations. Employees work closely with neighborhood groups, the public and other organizations to obtain voluntary compliance with city codes and to provide information and education on the City code requirements to the general public.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Residency Incentive Program

Paid Volunteer Time-Off

Parental Leave

Vacation and Sick Leave

12 Paid Holidays

Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance

Wellness Programs and Activities

Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit

Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS

Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%

Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options

Employee Discount Program

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a GED; and
• Two years of post-high school education in property maintenance, business administration, public administration, environmental health, planning, education, public relations or a related field; or
• Two years inspection experience (housing, building, zoning or health); or
• Three years of experience in building construction, building maintenance or a related field.
• Education may be used to satisfy up to one year of experience.

NOTE: Transcripts verifying courses completed need to be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 at the time of application but no later than the application deadline.

Required Special Qualifications

• Possession of or acquisition of the Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector Certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
• Possession of a valid Iowa Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Surveys, inspects, investigates and enforces requirements for residential properties to determine compliance with the City's Housing Code and other related codes including applicable fire, building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes;
• Surveys, inspects, investigates and enforces City zoning, environmental health, nuisance vegetation, minimum property standards and related regulations;
• Conducts vector inspections and performs eradication measures as needed;
• Collects data and prepares reports and correspondence on inspection findings which may be referred to the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Health and the Zoning Board of Adjustment;
• Observes violations, issues notices, counsels code violators, prepares case files, pursues legal remedies, initiates public nuisance actions and oversees forced clean-ups and board-ups of non-compliant properties;
• Maintains records of current activities and updates automated property files;
• Assists in the preparation of injunctive, citation and condemnation cases for court presentations and testifies in court when needed;
• Performs code related enforcement and monitoring activities on a scheduled or an "on-call" basis after normal working hours as required;
• Meets with the public, neighborhood groups, boards or commissions, or other agencies, or City staff to explain, encourage and coordinate the compliance of minimum property, housing, zoning, nuisance vegetation or health related codes or ordinances;
• Refers to public to City services related to neighborhood concerns;
• Contacts owners and tenants to provide technical assistance and to promote improved property maintenance;
• Conducts specialized inspections as assigned;
• Assists in the training of new and temporary staff in the proper delivery of related services;
• Acts for supervisor as directed; and
• Performs related duties as required.

Click here for Benefit Summary

01

I understand that my responses to the following supplemental questions must be clear and thorough to receive credit. Responses such as "see resume or application, etc." are not applicable.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe where you obtained a minimum of two years of post-high school education in property maintenance, business administration, public administration, environmental health, planning, education, public relations or a related field, or two years inspection experience (housing, building, zoning or health) or three years experience in building construction, building maintenance or a related field. If no post-high school education, indicate "none".

03

I understand that if I possess post-high school education in property maintenance, business administration, public administration, environmental health, planning, education, public relations or a related field, transcripts must be submitted in order to receive credit. Transcripts must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department in this application, electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 on or before the application deadline date.

• Yes, I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and have attached my transcripts to my application.
• Yes, I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and I have requested my transcripts.
• I have not taken college course work and do not have college transcripts to provide.

04

Describe any experience you have with building structure inspections, including building code, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Indicate where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

05

Describe any experience you have in report writing and record keeping. Include where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

06

List any inspections certification(s) you currently hold. If no certification, indicate "none".

07

I understand that I must obtain a certification as a Property Maintenance Inspector within twelve months of appointment. Failure to meet noted qualifications will result in termination of employment.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Des Moines

Address 1200 Locust St.

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

Phone (515) 283-4213

Website http://www.dsm.city