The mission of the Snohomish County Planning and Development Services (PDS) is to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations by promoting protection of natural resources and facilitating the development of safe, sustainable and resilient communities.

PDS is responsible for reviewing and issuing a wide variety of permits and land use applications, including residential and commercial building permits, boundary line adjustments, subdivisions, right-of-way, clearing and grading, public events, firework stands, and others. PDS strives to make the permitting process as painless and as easy to understand as possible.

PDS is hiring a talented and dedicated Code Enforcement Officer.

The PDS Code Enforcement team conducts site inspections and investigates complaints that are submitted to the division. The types of investigations are building, zoning, land use, land disturbing activity, flood hazard, critical areas, shoreline, and forest practice violations. Code Enforcement coordinates with other PDS staff from the fire, engineering, planning, environmental, and permitting groups. Staff will be required to make site visits, gather evidence, prepare reports, maintain documents and issue notices of violation using the department's permitting tracking database (Amanda). Staff may provide expert testimony at appeal hearings with the county hearing examiner and Superior Court while working with the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Well qualified candidates will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of applying codes and regulations, investigations, report writing, file maintenance, customer service and dependability. Skills needed for this position would include computer, good communication both orally and written, teamwork, decision making and time management.

Not sure you meet the minimum qualifications? Apply and let us decide. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage everyone to apply.

Benefits
Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, pension opportunities, and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:

Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
Flexible work schedules for some positions.
Career development training.
Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
Holiday Pay: The County observes 11 paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
Benefits: The County offers a wide range of benefits including medical and dental, vision, life insurance, Long Term Disability, deferred compensation and more.
Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.

Teleworking Options
This is a field position assigned a county vehicle, and a significant part of the job is to conduct site visits. The administrative work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is available.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop; and when working remotely, must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose - video

BASIC FUNCTION

To enforce the provisions of the county land use, conditional use, critical area, forest practices, and clean water codes, and work with violators through legal processes to achieve compliance with county codes.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Conducts site inspections and fact finding for land use, conditional use, critical area, forest practice and clean water complaints. Determines validity of complaint by evaluating compliance with all appropriate codes.
Conducts noise investigations; monitors noise utilizing noise monitory equipment; issues civil citations as necessary.
Develops case documentation; researches records to determine property ownership, permit and zoning history, legal descriptions, and pertinent administrative and hearing examiner decisions and case law; established pictorial evidence to confirm violations and compliance requirements; prepares written reports.
Provides information and guidance regarding land use, critical area, forest practice and clean water processes; provides technical information regarding code enforcement procedures; advises the public of violations and compliance requirements.
Issues reports, evidence and testimony on behalf of the department at public forums, council hearings, appeal hearings and Superior Court.
Prepares and presents reports motions and requests for admission of evidence, and gives testimony on behalf of the department at public forums, council hearings, appeal hearings, District and Superior court.
Assists and advises Prosecuting Attorney's Office regarding case pursuit and penalty assessment; provides case updates; coordinates activities of violator until case resolution is achieved.
Performs related duties as required.

A Bachelor's degree in planning, social science or related field; PLUS, three (3) years planning, civil or criminal investigation or related field; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and skill. Must pass job related tests.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

An AACE Code Enforcement Officer Certification preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid State of Washington Drivers License is required for employment.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

county and state land use codes, critical areas, state forest practices, and clean water laws, regulations, and standards
construction materials, methods and stages of construction
investigative methods and techniques; real estate and land userecords research
administrative and courtroom procedures

Ability to:

enforce laws, codes, ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and equity
independently identify and define related deficiencies or hazards and recommend effective remedial measures
maintain necessary records and prepare required reports
establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, peers, associates and the general public
communicate effectively both orally and in writing
make decisions under pressure
read, interpret and apply adopted rules, regulations, laws and procedures
learn Snohomish County zoning, building, platting, shoreline, and grading codes
use personal computer equipment and software

SUPERVISION

Employees receive general supervision from the Code Enforcement Supervisor. Assignments are made by indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected and any deadlines which are to be met. The employee plans and carries out successive steps and resolves problems in accordance with instructions, policies and accepted practices. The work is reviewed by evaluation of results obtained.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work is performed both indoors in an office environment and outdoors in all types of weather at work sites throughout the county.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice

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Code Enforcement Officer