Liz Smitherman

UTILITIES & ENGINEERING: Liz Smitherman, Code Compliance Technician
Years with the County: 15

Briefly describe your job. What do you do? 
As a Code Compliance Technician, I investigate and identify violations throughout the county that are non-conforming with Catawba County’s Unified Development Ordinance; such as junk vehicles, solid waste, unpermitted construction, and/or unpermitted businesses.

What is a typical workday like for you?
I work primarily in the field each day. I drive around and investigate open complaints, update existing violations, and do site visits with individuals to verify compliance pertaining to the county ordinances.

What is your favorite aspect of your job – what do you enjoy doing most? 
For the most part, I enjoy working with different types of people. Whether it helps them obtain permits to become compliant with my investigation or helps citizens address violations that have become a safety concern within the community.

What is the County core value you believe most relates to the work you do, and why? 
DOING IT WELL – I strive to be the best person I can be and share my joy with others. In this field, there can be a lot of feelings and high tension but with the right attitude and professionalism, we can address the violations in a way that appeases the ordinances but also be empathic to the situation at hand.

What do you like best about working for Catawba County? 
I’d have to say it is the network of people I have had the opportunity to meet, learn from, and help me build my career. I feel like I have grown tremendously over the last 15 years and I truly believe it is because of the relationships I have built with co-workers and the community.