The Position
Enforce. Educate. Support.
The City of Encinitas is seeking a dedicated, community-focused Code Enforcement Officer to join the Development Services Department. In this role, you will help uphold the health, safety, and quality of life that define Encinitas by ensuring compliance with a broad range of local and State codes. From conducting routine and complex investigations to collaborating with departments, agencies, and residents, you will be an essential partner in maintaining the character and integrity of our community.
This multi-level classification (I/II/III) offers progressive opportunities for growth based on demonstrated knowledge, skill, and leadership. Whether you are beginning your career in code enforcement or bringing years of professional experience, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact in one of California’s most vibrant coastal cities.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a problem-solver and critical thinker who thrives in a field-based, community-oriented environment. You are confident interpreting and applying complex regulations, conducting investigations, and resolving issues with fairness, professionalism, and sound judgment.
You excel at balancing enforcement with education—partnering with residents, businesses, and property owners to achieve voluntary compliance whenever possible. You remain calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and are comfortable handling difficult conversations or contentious situations with diplomacy and respect.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
Encinitas is a welcoming, engaged, and environmentally conscious coastal community known for its exceptional quality of life. As part of the Development Services Department, you’ll join a collaborative team committed to public service, continuous improvement, and community partnership.
You Will Enjoy
- Work that truly makes a positive visible impact in your community
- Daily variety, fieldwork, and meaningful interaction with residents and local businesses
- A culture that values professionalism, teamwork, innovation, and education
Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)
Short-Term Rental (STR) Administration & Monitoring
- Digital Compliance Monitoring: Utilize Granicus Host Compliance tools to identify unpermitted listings across 100+ rental platforms and verify that active listings display valid permit numbers.
- Enforcement Workflow: Manage the issuance of notice of violations and citations with non-compliant property owners.
- Permit & Registration Review: Review STR applications and annual renewals, ensuring all required documentation and local safety certifications are uploaded and maintained within the central database.
- 24/7 Hotline Oversight: Review and investigate complaints logged via the Granicus STR hotline, coordinating rapid responses to reports of excessive noise, parking issues, or over-occupancy.
- Revenue & Tax Verification: Analyze platform data to identify operators who underreport rental frequency or fail to remit Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and work with the Finance Department for auditing and collections.
General Code Enforcement & Field Operations
- Field Inspections: Conduct routine and complaint-based inspections of residential and commercial properties to identify violations of zoning, land use, and public nuisance ordinances.
- Life Safety Verifications: Perform interior and exterior inspections of STR properties to verify compliance with public health and safety codes, California Building Codes, and zoning regulation compliance.
- Evidence Collection & Documentation: Maintain detailed case files including clear photographic evidence, property ownership research, and field notes for all active investigations.
- Administrative & Legal Testimony: Prepare evidence packets and provide expert testimony for administrative hearings, Planning Commission meetings, or municipal court proceedings.
Community Engagement & Education
- Regulatory Liaison: Explain short-term rental ordinances and general municipal code regulations to property owners, residents, and neighborhood associations to foster voluntary compliance.
- Conflict Resolution: Mediate sensitive neighborhood disputes related to quality-of-life issues caused by rental operations
Job Description
Click HERE to review the full job description.
- Effective July 1, 2026, employees in this classification will receive a 2% COLA increase.
Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience:
Position requirements for Code Enforcement Officer I at entry are High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), plus one year of experience in investigations, enforcement, code interpretation, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job which are listed above.
In addition to the above experience, Level II requirements include: Candidates may be recruited from outside the Encinitas personnel system (open competitive recruitment) at the Code Enforcement Officer II level with the necessary qualifying combination of education and experience that is directly applicable to the work assignment. Necessary qualifications for recruitment at the Code Enforcement Officer II level are an Associate’s Degree in a related field plus at least two years of public agency working level code enforcement experience in the field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates initially recruited at the Code Enforcement Officer II level should meet all or almost all of the departmental criteria for advancement of an incumbent from Code Enforcement Officer I to Code Enforcement Officer II.
In addition to the above experience, Level III requirements include: Candidates are not typically recruited from outside the Encinitas personnel system (open competitive recruitment) at the Code Enforcement Officer III level. Extraordinary, position specific, qualifications are required before a candidate may be recruited at the Code Enforcement Officer III level.
Application Process and Deadline
A completed
application with an attached
resume is required.
This recruitment is open until filled.
The first review of applications will be on the week of July 13, 2026. Qualified applicants will be invited for interviews.
- incomplete application packets will not be reviewed ***
The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Encinitas & San Dieguito Water District
2026 Benefits Summary
Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU)
Cafeteria Health Plan
The employer’s “Flexible Benefit Plan” contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City’s Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution
Retirement
The City contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS):
Retirement Tier – Local Miscellaneous Retirement Formula
Tier 2 – Classic2.0% @ 60
Tier 3 – New Member2.0% @ 62
Retirement Tier – Other Safety (Lifeguards)Retirement Formula
Tier 2 – Classic3.0% @ 55
Tier 3 – New Member2.7% @ 57
457 Deferred Compensation
The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded.
Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D). Group Term Life Insurance is equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance.
Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)
STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.
Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium.
Sick Leave
Employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year.
Vacation Leave
Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service:
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire - 5 Years 104 hours
6 - 10 Years 128 hours
11 - 15 Years 152 hours
16+ Years 184 hours
Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked.
Paid Leave for Family Member Illness
Each new full-time employee is granted a beginning balance of fourteen (14) hours of paid time off to attend to family member(s) in need of the employee’s assistance in times of illness or parental leave to bond with a new child; 1.3846 hours of additional paid leave is accrued each pay period. The maximum accrual is about eighty three (83) hours.
Parental Leave (Baby Bonding)
Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status.
General Election Leave
Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee’s polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election.
Holiday Closure
Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
Holidays
Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year.
Computer Purchase Program
The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000.
Tuition Assistance
Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration.
Social Security and Medicare
The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.
This document is intended to provide a general summary of benefits available to employees of the City of Encinitas and San Dieguito Water District. Exact benefits an employee is entitled to receive are determined by the City Council through collective bargaining agreements between the City and the union representing the employee's classification, as well as through various Resolutions and Ordinances. If there is a conflict between the information in this summary and the official plans/contracts, the official documents will prevail.
