Code Enforcement Officer I/II

DEFINITION 

Under general or direct supervision performs a variety of technical duties in support of the City’s code enforcement program; monitors and enforces a variety of applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations related to land use matters, building, housing, health and safety, property maintenance and other matters of public concern; investigates violations and initiates procedures to abate violations and obtain compliance including issuing notices of violations, citations, and other correspondence specifying necessary corrective actions, compliance, and compliance dates; serves as a resource and provides information on City regulations to property owners, residents, businesses, the general public, and other City departments and divisions.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 

Code Enforcement Officer I – This is the entry level class in the Code Enforcement Officer series.  Positions at this level are not expected to function with the same amount of program knowledge or skill level as positions allocated to the Code Enforcement Officer II level and exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Incumbents at this level are expected to become fully knowledgeable of the assigned area, and learn to perform the full range of code enforcement investigative work. Incumbents initially appointed to Code Enforcement Officer I level may progress to Code Enforcement Officer II after successfully completing one year (12 months) as a Code Enforcement Officer I with the City of Eureka and achieving the qualifications and department requirements established for progression.

Code Enforcement Officer II – This is the journey level class in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents at this level require demonstrated ability to perform a variety of responsible code enforcement duties and provide training to lower level staff as needed. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Code Enforcement Officer II level are normally filled by advancement from the Code Enforcement Officer I level. Incumbents must already have already successfully completed a P.O.S.T. - certified PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course and must obtain a Code Enforcement Officer – Intermediate certification from CACEO within one (1) year of hire.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) 

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

• Performs a variety of field and office work in support of the City’s code enforcement program;
• Enforces compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations including those pertaining to land use matters, building, housing, health and safety, property maintenance, neighborhood blight, and other matters of public concern;
• Receives and responds to citizen complaints and reports from other agencies and departments on violations of City zoning and related municipal codes and ordinances as well as State regulations;
• Conducts investigations; interviews complainant and witnesses; inspects residential, commercial, and industrial properties for code violations; attempts to make contact with property owners or tenants in order to resolve violations and effectively work toward compliance; issues and posts warning notices, notices of violation, corrective notices, orders to comply, and related documentation for code violations;
• Schedules and performs all follow-up functions to gain compliance including letters, inspections, calls, meetings, discussions, and negotiations to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances;
• Prepares requests for legal action and issues administrative and misdemeanor criminal citations as necessary;
• Operates computers, smart phones, tablets and other technology to enter, process, and report data relative to complaints in an efficient and cost effective manner;
• Maintains complete and accurate documentation and case files on all investigations, inspections, enforcement actions, and other job related activities including accurate and detailed information regarding code enforcement activity to substantiate violations; establishes and maintains a case management system;
• Prepares and provides documentation and evidence in support of legal actions taken by the City; prepares warrants; appears in court as necessary; testifies at hearings and in court proceedings as required;
• Prepares a variety of written reports, memos, and correspondence related to enforcement activities;
• Attends meetings and serves as a resource to other City departments, divisions, the general public, community groups, and outside agencies related to code enforcement;
• Works cooperatively with other departments regarding code enforcement issues; works cooperatively with local, state, and federal agencies including social services agencies to provide resources and enforcement to the community;
• Interprets and explains municipal codes and ordinances to members of the general public, contractors, business owners, and other interested groups in the field, over the counter, and on the telephone;
• Issues stop work notices for construction or alterations being performed without proper permits; assists all parties involved in achieving compliance;
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations related to assigned duties.
• Procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations including research methods and techniques.
• Principles and practices of conducting and documenting lawful field investigations.
• Municipal zoning and land use principles.
• City services and organizational structure as they relate to code compliance.
• Legal actions applicable to code enforcement compliance.
• Principles and practices of customer service and public relations.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
• Methods and techniques used in the preparation of business correspondence and technical reports. 
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, smart phones, tablets and supporting word processing, database, and spreadsheet and mobile applications.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including personal safety practices and self-defense when in confrontational encounters with the public.
• Use of mobile navigation and mapping applications
• Effective communication techniques required for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information. 
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Basic mathematical principles for reading maps, measuring, and other computations necessary to identify violations.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Independently perform a full range of municipal code enforcement and compliance duties with minimal supervision.
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a timely and tactful manner.
• Work in potentially confrontational settings and use accepted and appropriate techniques to ensure officer safety.
• Read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain applicable codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures related to assigned area.
• Inspect and identify violations of applicable codes and ordinances.
• Enforce pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations with impartiality and efficiency. 
• Defuse and react appropriately to potentially dangerous and confrontational encounters with the public.
• Represent the City in a professional manner and deal effectively with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving problems and concerns.
• Research, compile, and collect data.
• Prepare accurate and detailed documentation of investigation findings.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of correspondence, logs, records, and files.
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports.
• Read and interpret legal documents and descriptions.
• Read maps.
• Make oral presentations and testify in court
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages.
• Operate communication devices including portable radios and wireless phones.
• Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance. 
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

Code Enforcement Officer I - Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training and/or college level coursework in criminal justice, planning, public administration, law enforcement, construction inspection, or related field and one (1) year of experience performing code enforcement or similar public contact work of an investigative or inspection nature for a public or private agency.

Code Enforcement Officer II - Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training and/or college level coursework in criminal justice, planning, public administration, law enforcement, construction inspection, or related field and two (2) years of experience performing public contact work of an investigative or inspection nature including at least one (1) year of code enforcement investigation/inspection work at a level comparable to a Code Enforcement Officer I with the City of Eureka.

License and Other Requirements

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record. 
• Successful completion of a P.O.S.T. - certified PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course within one (1) year of hire.
• Certification as a Code Enforcement Officer – Intermediate from the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Association (CACEO) within one (1) year of hire.

No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various commercial and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to attend meetings and to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and make inspections; color vision to identify materials, structures, wires, and pipes; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 

Employees work primarily in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, substantial heights, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

May be required to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

All applications received are screened to determine which applicants most closely match the desired education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the position. Applicants will receive email notification of the results of the screening process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an examination tentatively to be held in late August. The Department Head [and/or designee(s)] will interview the top six (6) candidates from the examination process. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions. The City reserves the right to extend the final filing date as necessary.