Description

Under general supervision, assist and perform skilled investigative work, comprehensive field inspections, and enforcement of County building, zoning, housing, land use, abandoned vehicle abatement, signs, public nuisances, health and safety codes and ordinances and related laws and regulations.

The Code Enforcement Division is currently hiring for one (1) Code Enforcement Officer vacancy at either Level 1 or Level 2. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated individual with regulatory or enforcement experience. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, will strive for excellence, and be committed to providing superior customer service to all residents of the County of Santa Clara.

Please note: There is currently one (1) vacancy for this recruitment. The level at which the vacancy will be filled is at the Department's discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.

Salary Range:

Code Enforcement Officer I: $87,091.68 – $105,543.36 annually
Code Enforcement Officer II: $100,468.16 – $121,607.20 annually

Typical Tasks

Code Enforcement Officer I

The Code Enforcement Officer I is the entry level class in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents hired at this level work under general supervision and receive routine assignments of defined scope within established procedures. As experience and expertise is gained, the Code Enforcement Officer I is expected to increase responsibility, independence and assume more complex assignments. The Code Enforcement Officer I is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer II as the latter receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

Receives, records, investigates, inspects and responds to routine complaints concerning alleged code violations as assigned;
Gathers facts and evidence related to code violations, including detailed observations, witness and/or responsible party statements, photographs and historical data;
Researches and applies information related to applicable codes, ordinances, land use permits, building permits and related laws, rules and regulations;
Prepares/modifies and issues Compliance Orders and other written notifications and materials;
Prepares reports, surveys, correspondence and/or assist in the preparation of case information for legal proceedings;
Maintains accurate and thorough records and files of assigned projects and cases;
Informs the public regarding violations and procedures by which compliance may be obtained;
May appear as a witness or testify in court;
Communicates with reporting parties and key stake holders on case progress;
Learns to interpret plans and specifications in the process of investigating construction projects in the field;
Assists in the tracking and collection of fines and fees and may issue citations for misdemeanors and ordinance infractions;
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
Performs other related duties, as required.

Code Enforcement Officer II

The Code Enforcement Officer II is the journey-level classification in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents hired at this level are expected to perform with independence and judgement on matters related to established procedures and guidelines. The Code Enforcement Officer II is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer I as the latter is the entry level classification in the series and incumbents work under direct supervision and receive routine assignments of defined scoped within established procedures. The Code Enforcement Officer II receives more complex cases of higher priority and may also provide technical support or assist in the training of lower level personnel.

Researches and prepares cases; gathers and compiles information and documentation in support of legal cases, testifies at administrative hearings and/or in court;
Attends and/or coordinates community and neighborhood meetings and/or participates in proactive code enforcement sweeps;
Coordinates enforcement activities with other regulatory agencies within the County, including other county departments and other public agencies;
Prepares reports, surveys and correspondence and assists in the development and maintenance of departmental procedures and related documents;
Consults with Code Enforcement Manager for direction on very complex, high visibility cases to ensure appropriate enforcement and response;
Conducts extensive research and applies information related to applicable codes, ordinances, land use permits, building permits and related laws, rules and regulations and determine proper course of action;
Determines appropriate enforcement methods and prioritization of compliance for routine cases;
Conducts special studies and investigations, as assigned;
May provide technical support or assist in the training of lower level personnel;
Explains technical and procedural aspects of code enforcement in person, by telephone, and through correspondence to staff and members of the public in order to obtain or maintain ordinance compliance;
Communicates, gains support and maintains cooperation with reporting parties and key stake holders on case progress;
Receives, records, investigates, inspects and responds to complaints concerning alleged code violations in response to public complaints and issues citations on misdemeanors and ordinance infractions;
Identifies and investigates violations observed while in the field;
Evaluates, gathers facts and evidence related to code violations, including detailed observations, witness and/or responsible party statements, photographs and historical data;
Prepares or modifies Compliance Orders and other written notifications and materials;
Maintains accurate and thorough records and files of assigned projects and cases;
Applies fee schedules and designated calculation methodologies to administer fines and fees;
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
Perform other duties as required.

Employment Standards

Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through training and experience equivalent to possession of 60 semester units from an accredited college.

Experience:

Code Enforcement Officer I: One (1) year of experience dealing with the public in an enforcement, inspection, regulatory or investigations capacity.
Code Enforcement Officer II: Two (2) years of experience equivalent to a Code Enforcement Officer I with the County of Santa Clara.

Special Requirements:

Code Enforcement Officer I: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License prior to appointment.
Code Enforcement Officer II:Must obtain California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Certification within one year of appointment and possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment also required.

Code Enforcement Officer I:

Knowledge Of:

Interviewing techniques;
Office practices and procedures, including filing systems and preparation of correspondence and reports;
Basic investigative techniques;
Customer service principles, including the handling of hostile and distressed people;
Common office computer applications, including word processing spreadsheets and database;
Basic mathematic principles.

Ability to:

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Interpret, read, comprehend, disseminate and explain applicable laws, codes and regulations and their application;
Learn principles and practices of code enforcement;
Prepare clear, consist and accurate reports;
Learn specialized department software and/or databases;
Exercise initiative, tact and balance with competing demands and priorities;
Exercise analytical and problem solving skills; collect and evaluate data;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and County personnel;
Reason logically and exercise sound judgement under pressure;
Interact in a professional and knowledgeable manner.

Knowledge Of:

Code Enforcement Officer II:

Principles, methods and techniques used in investigations and code enforcement work, and officer safety, including appropriate legal requirements;
General provisions of County, building, zoning, housing, land use, abandoned vehicle abatement, signs, public nuisances, health and safety codes and ordinances and related laws and regulations;
Common office computer applications, including word processing spreadsheets and database;
Customer service principles, including the handling of hostile and distressed people;
Basic mathematic principles;
Basic methods of dispute resolution;
Techniques, symbols and language used in planning, drafting and mapping.

Ability To:

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Work independently within established procedures;
Prepare comprehensive, statistical reports, documentation and case files;
Interpret, read, comprehend, disseminate and explain department procedures, applicable laws, codes and regulations and their application;
Synthesize case issues, ordinances and legal requirements;
Exercise initiative, tact and balance with competing demands and priorities;
Exercise analytical and problem solving skills; collect and evaluate data, develop solutions and make recommendations;
Quickly learn and operate specialized software and/or databases;
Interact in a professional and knowledgeable manner;
Act calmly, exercise sound judgment and resolve general disputes;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and County personnel;
Anticipate and/or identify potential adversarial or unsafe working conditions and involve/advise safety and management personnel;
Negotiate and obtain agreements.

County of Santa Clara

New Jobs

Code Enforcement Officer I / II