Summary
King County's Department of Local Services (DLS), Permitting Division is accepting applications for the career-service position of
Code Enforcement Officer I. The Code Enforcement Officer I conducts administrative level assistance related to the enforcement of King County Codes. The position will perform site inspections to assess site conditions and take photographs. Duties also include the processing of inbound mail and the mailing of violation letters and legal notices. The job requires excellent record-keeping skills and attention to detail; advanced communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; familiarity with certain legal processes; and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
The person in this role will perform entry level code enforcement. The work will involve assisting senior code enforcement officers with alleged and reported violations of a wide array of land use and building regulations. The job will include fielding phone calls, voicemails, emails, and other forms of referrals to determine whether a code enforcement case should be initiated. This requires daily contact with property owners, contractors and other King County and Washington State departments with the objective of causing buildings and properties to be brought into compliance with applicable codes.
About The Department Of Local Services
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.
Our Commitment To Equity, Racial And Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.
Job Duties
Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
- Responds to complainants, opens cases, and review on-line complaints for completeness.
- Investigate reports of building, zoning, housing, grading, clearing and critical-area violations, including property research and site inspections
- Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
- Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, and the Department.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
- Prepare correspondence to advise property owners of violations and steps needed to correct them.
- Conduct inspections of properties where violations exist, monitor progress toward compliance, and make record of progress.
- Prepare inspection reports and maintain case records.
- Research zoning and history of properties to determine ownership, improvements, permitted and pre-existing conditions.
- Research and identify the presence of critical areas such as aquatic, wetlands and steep slopes.
- Respond to requests for public disclosures and public information requests.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Values
- Serve with integrity.
- Show initiative and work hard.
- Prioritize outcomes over optics.
- Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
- Sove problems with a “yes, and” mindset
- Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from high school or GED
- Previous experience in a municipal government or public agency setting is preferred.
- Experience in basic Code Enforcement practices.
- Demonstrated experience in basic evidentiary requirements and basic grading, building and development practices.
- Skill in reading and interpreting codes, building plans and plat maps.
- Skill in researching property features, zoning, ownership, history, and legal descriptions.
- Skill in performing inspections and preparing reports.
- Experience providing excellent customer service, including working with inexperienced customers and solving issues while maintaining positive customer relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to use standard office equipment and intermediate skill using Microsoft Office Products including Excel, Work, and Outlook.
- Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including public presentations.
- Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
- Must have demonstrated punctuality, dependability, and good attendance in previous job experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Knowledge of King County zoning, building, housing, shorelines, and environmental codes.
- International Code Council (ICC) Code Enforcement certification
Requirements
- An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
- Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license.
- Must operate a motor vehicle safely throughout the County.
- Must be able to traverse difficult terrain in any weather condition.
- Must be able to use office equipment and software.
Supplemental Information
Interview Schedule
Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview the week of
January 26, 2026.
If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual/in-person interview the week of
February 2, 2026.
Who May Apply: This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term- limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
Forms and Materials: A completed
King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted. For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf
Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval
Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:
Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
Union Membership: PROTEC17
Teleworking Requirement
We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The responsibilities of this position include regular and ongoing in-office work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday involving in person customer service in accordance with the division's available customer service options.
Work Location:
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Your primary onsite workspace will be at
919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton, WA 98057.
Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact
Sonali Sharma, HR Analyst, by email at sonsharma@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-492-6237.
Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff
