Job Description

COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING

FOR

SUPERVISING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026

Please review the APPLICATION PROCEDURE section below for important information regarding the required writing sample.

The City of Novato is seeking an experienced and service-oriented professional to serve as our Supervising Code Enforcement Officer within the Community Development Department. This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to oversee the City's code enforcement program while helping to preserve neighborhood quality, protect public health and safety, and support a vibrant and well-maintained community.

Working collaboratively with residents, property owners, businesses, contractors, and City staff, the Supervising Code Enforcement Officer plays a key role in administering and enhancing the City's code compliance efforts. This position oversees a team of code enforcement professionals and is responsible for directing investigations, managing complex enforcement cases, coordinating compliance strategies, and ensuring the fair, consistent, and effective application of municipal codes and regulations.

The Supervising Code Enforcement Officer provides leadership in addressing a wide range of community concerns, including zoning, property maintenance, nuisance, abandoned vehicle, and building-related issues. The position also serves as an important resource to the public, helping residents and businesses understand City requirements while working toward practical and lasting solutions to compliance challenges. In addition, this role contributes to program development, policy implementation, budget administration, staff development, and interdepartmental coordination.

This is an excellent opportunity for a knowledgeable and collaborative leader who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgment, professionalism, and a commitment to customer service. The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex problems, mentoring staff, building positive relationships, and navigating challenging situations with fairness, consistency, and respect.

If you are passionate about public service, possess a strong understanding of municipal code enforcement and regulatory compliance, and are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community, we encourage you to apply. The City of Novato values a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applicants who are eager to contribute their expertise to a supportive and mission-driven team.

Benefits

9/80 work schedule - every other Friday off
Up to $3,039.04 contributed by the City towards employee healthcare, depending on enrollment level
Accrue 80 hours of vacation to start
Provided with 90 hours of executive leave, with potential for an additional 90
Provided with 40 hours of sick leave upon hire
14 paid holidays per year
Ability to earn comp time off
Technology and transportation stipend paid monthly
Up to $2,000 performance bonus, annually
Deferred compensation match up to $2,000, annually
Free parking on site
Office is within walking distance of terrific restaurants, shopping, and the Downtown SMART Station

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for investigating and enforcing a variety of codes, ordinances, and regulations including building and zoning codes; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; serves as a resource and provides information on City regulations to property owners, residents, businesses, the general public, and other City departments and divisions; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Example of Duties

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential And Other Important Responsibilities And Duties May Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following:

Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of field and office work in support of the City's code enforcement program; oversees the enforcement of City regulations and ordinances including building and zoning codes.
Establish schedules and methods for providing code enforcement services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
Participate in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participate in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
Prepare and recommend revisions to City codes and ordinances.
Participate in the selection of code enforcement staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
Participate in the preparation and administration of the code enforcement program budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
Oversee and participate in receiving and responding to citizen complaints and reports from other agencies and departments on alleged violations of City zoning and related municipal codes; oversee and participate in conducting investigations including to investigate the most difficult and complex complaints of violation of City codes, ordinances, and regulations; conduct interviews with complainant, witnesses, property owners, and potential violators; operate photo, video, and surveillance equipment under various conditions.
Oversee and participate in inspecting properties for violations; issue and post warning notices, notices of violation, corrective notices, orders to comply, and related documentation for code violations; schedule and perform all follow-up functions to gain compliance including letters, inspections, calls, meetings, discussions, and negotiations to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances; issue citations as necessary.
Oversee and participate in the maintenance of accurate documentation and case files on all investigations, inspections, violations, citations, enforcement actions, and other job related activities; prepare abatement cases.
Oversee and participate in coordinating, referring, consulting, and preparing documentation and evidence in support of legal actions taken by the City; appear in court as necessary; testify at hearings and in court proceedings as required; prepare and present abatement cases to the Housing Appeals Board.
Oversee the resale inspection program; oversee and participate in resale inspections on residential properties; research old and current permits relating to resale properties; meet and confer with realtors and citizens; inspect homes prior to sale; complete inspection report; notify property owners of required permits, safety hazards, and related items needing correction; inform related professionals on health and safety codes for residential housing.
Oversee and research properties sold without resale inspection and assess fines on property owners who sell residential property without a resale inspection report.
Oversee and participate in the abandoned vehicle abatement program; perform field inspections to monitor program; coordinate the removal of vehicles as appropriate.
Receive and process building permit applications; inspect plans to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.
Serve as a resource and coordinate actions with other City departments, divisions, the general public, and outside agencies in the enforcement of zoning regulations; provide information and interpret and explain 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; organize, prepare, and conduct presentations to various groups including Housing Board, community meetings, and neighborhood groups; respond to questions, complaints, and inquiries.
Oversee and participate in the preparation of a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence related to enforcement activities.
Input and retrieve a variety of information using a computer terminal.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of code enforcement; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge Of:

Operations, services, and activities of a municipal code enforcement program.
Pertinent codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to zoning, building, and related areas. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations including methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations.
Court documents and procedures including procedures for citation issuance and obtaining various types of inspection warrants.
City services and organizational structure as they relate to code enforcement. Effective public relations practices.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Methods and techniques of business correspondence and technical report preparation.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability To:

Coordinate and direct the City's code enforcement programs.
Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in code enforcement services and activities.
Select, train, and evaluate staff.
Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing code enforcement services and activities.
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.
Interpret and apply applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations related to zoning, building, and related issues.
Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service from the public, City staff, or other agencies in a timely, fair, tactful, and firm manner.
Independently perform a full range of municipal code enforcement and compliance duties.
Inspect and identify violations of applicable codes and ordinances.
Enforce pertinent codes, ordinances, laws and regulations with impartiality and efficiency.
Investigate complaints and mediate resolutions in a timely and tactful manner.
Prepare accurate and detailed documentation of investigation findings. Maintain complex logs, records, and files; Research, compile and collect data; Prepare clear and concise technical reports.
Make oral presentations and testify in court.
Operate photography, video, and surveillance equipment under various conditions.
Inspect property and detect changes not done under permits; recognize faulty construction. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education:

Education and Training - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by course work in urban planning, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible code inspection and code enforcement experience that involved working with the public and interpreting rules, laws, and procedures, and some lead supervisory experience.

License Or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of P.O.S.T. 832 P.C. course completion certification.

Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Indoor and outdoor environments; work alone; travel from site to site; incumbents may be exposed to noise, dust, inclement weather conditions, and potentially hostile environments; work at heights and in confined areas. Physical: Sufficient mobility to stand, stoop, reach, bend, kneel, squat, climb ladders, and walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift and/or carry light weights; occasional heavy lifting and carrying; operate equipment and vehicle. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Ability to: Travel to different sites and locations; drive safely to different sites and locations; maintain a safe driving record; work protracted and irregular hours and evening meetings or off shift work for meeting attendance or participation in specific projects or programs; available for evening meetings.

SELECTION PROCESS

It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.

In addition to submitting an application, candidates must submit a writing sample. Any sample that demonstrates a candidate's writing proficiency will be accepted; however, writing samples related to code enforcement cases are preferred. Writing samples can be uploaded during the applications process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026

Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.

The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary:

Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.

9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays. Employees work nine hours per day and eight hours per day on the working Friday.

Benefits:

Click here for the City's Benefit Information page.

The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is either 2% at 55; employee contributes 9.5% of salary, or 2% at 62; employee contributes 7.25% of salary, depending on eligibility.

The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive up to $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings.

Other Benefits Information:

Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program. Employer match up to $2,000 annually.
Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
Long-term Disability Insurance is provided as an optional benefit. Employee pays $9.78 per month if opting in.
State Disability Insurance (SDI) is provided. Employee pays 0.6% of salary (pre-tax).
Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
The City does not participate in Social Security.

Leaves:

The City offers 14 paid holidays;
80 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 21 days for 20 years of service); Employees currently working for another agency (state, federal or local) will have their vacation rate adjusted to account for their years of service with that public agency.
New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date. (unused leave applied to service credit at retirement).
Exempt Management employees receive 90 hours of Executive leave annually (prorated upon hire date).

01

I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.

02

I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.

03

I have uploaded a writing sample for review.

Yes
No
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Supervising Code Enforcement Officer