Description

Under general supervision, perform the duties ensuring community compliance of the Municipal Code; receive complaints; investigate and identify municipal code violations; take appropriate action related to the violations; keep an accurate record of all cases; perform field inspections; work with the public at the counter; perform related duties as assigned.

Class Characteristics

The Code Enforcement Officer position is responsible for performing the full range of code enforcement activities. This includes receiving, investigating, and addressing complaints related to municipal code violations, maintaining detailed case records, performing field inspections, and working directly with the public. Additional duties include preparing documentation for legal proceedings and collaborating with property owners to resolve violations. The role requires practical communication skills and the ability to work independently and with other City departments.

Supervision Received

Works under the direct supervision of the Code Enforcement Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

Does not exercise supervision.

Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties that are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Investigation & Compliance: Respond to and investigate complaints regarding municipal code violations involving private property or public right-of-way issues, such as noise, illegal vehicle storage, signage, littering, and zoning infractions. Conduct field inspections, document findings, and issue compliance citations or orders.

Record-Keeping & Documentation: Maintain accurate and thorough records of inspections, actions taken, and follow-up requirements. Prepare documentation for cases that require prosecution and testify in court as necessary.

Public Relations & Support: Provide clear information and guidance to the public regarding code compliance processes and requirements. Engage effectively with property owners and community members to resolve violations and achieve compliance.

Collaboration & Referrals: Coordinate with other City departments and external agencies as required to address multifaceted code enforcement issues. As necessary, refer unresolved complaints to the appropriate department for enforcement.

Code Interpretation & Ordinance Research: Interpret municipal codes accurately and assist in developing new ordinances. Prepare regular statistical and photographic reports to support code enforcement objectives.

Vehicle Code Enforcement: Enforce vehicle codes related to abandoned, stored, or illegally parked vehicles on private property, issuing citations as necessary.

Flexibility & Availability: Be available for irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, and evening shifts, as necessary to ensure timely response to community needs. Thus, this position may require a flexible schedule for evenings, weekends, and rotational shifts, depending on the City's enforcement needs. Please note that these shifts are a regular part of the job and may be necessary to meet the community's demands.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience

Graduation from high school or equivalent and two (2) years of public contact work experience relating to the interpretation and enforcement of municipal rules and regulations, complaints procedures, zoning enforcement, code enforcement or related field is required. Experience in code enforcement in a governmental agency or closely related field of an investigative nature is preferred.

License Requirement

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record is required at time of appointment and throughout employment in this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a P.C. 832, Arrest, Search and Seizure certificate and a Basic Code Enforcement certification through the California Association of Code Enforcement Officer (C.A.C.E.O.) or equivalent within twelve (12) months of appointment is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: zoning and municipal codes; procedures involved in the investigation and enforcement of codes and regulations; the basic elements of public relations; the preservation of evidence applicable to enforcement work; privileges of confidentiality.

Skill and Ability to: conduct inspections, ascertain facts and apply appropriate codes; keep logs; write complex inspection reports; work independently; establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including other City staff and the public; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; understand and carry out oral and written instructions. The ability to fluently speak, read, and write in Spanish is highly desirable.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System:

An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent’s driving record and Driver’s License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here 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 functions. Considerable outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field.

Recruitment Process

Application Packets Must Include: A fully completed online employment application which:

Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience).
Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process. Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.

Selection Process: All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application. This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.
Written Examination (pass/fail): If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of an oral appraisal interview.
Oral Appraisal Interview (100%): A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview. The top 10 qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral interview phase of the selection process.
Employment Eligibility List: The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process. Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Hiring Policy.

Pre-employment Process

The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace.
All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).
New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

Hiring of Relatives: Relatives of existing employees by blood or marriage will not be eligible for employment with the City if potential supervision, safety, security, or morale problems exist; or if potential conflicts of interest exist. Relatives include an employee's parents, children, spouse, brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step relationships.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate
The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

City of South Gate

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Code Enforcement Officer