Summary
Under general supervision, enforces Municipal Code regulations including health & safety, sanitation, tax & business license, building & safety and housing codes and regulations to ensure compliance with the City’s zoning and building regulations; investigates citizen complaints of public nuisances and quality of life and health and safety issues; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Code Enforcement Supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level classification in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents in this classification perform a variety of routine and complex work involving the enforcement of municipal code regulations in support of the City.
Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Periodically patrols or inspects an assigned area to monitor for violations of local codes.
- Responds to complaints of potential code violations relating to signing, building occupancy, nuisances, property maintenance, land use, dumping, polluting, or other Lomita Municipal Code violations.
- Enforces Municipal Code regulations including health & safety, sanitation, tax & business license, building & safety, and housing codes and regulations.
- Conducts field inspections of properties and businesses to determine compliance with applicable building, zoning, nuisance, land use, and license regulations and requirements; documents code violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data; conducts follow-up investigations to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.
- Explains and interprets ordinances, issues warnings, correction notices, or citations.
- Meets with owners, tenants, contractors, businesses, etc. to review and explain code requirements and violations incurred or potential violations; and to encourage compliance with municipal codes, ordinances, and community standards.
- Conducts research, interviews appropriate individuals concerning complaints and to validate violations, and obtains information to write case investigation reports.
- Prepares and issues a variety of correspondence, memoranda, notices, flyers, and reports relating to code enforcement issues and actions; assists in the preparation of detailed inspection reports, inspection warrants, and staff reports.
- Researches ownership records, prior complaints, municipal codes and ordinances, and state regulations to establish whether a violation has occurred.
- Confers and coordinates code enforcement activities and inspections with other departments and agencies.
- Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations.
- Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge Of
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of code violation investigation and compliance including citation issuance procedures, methods used to obtain various types of inspection warrants, and principles used to prepare documents used in the legal process.
- Practices for documenting inspections, correcting violations, and carrying through on enforcement options.
- Legal descriptions and boundary maps of real property and legal terminology as used in code compliance.
- Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, code, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures including those related to zoning, land use, building, vehicle, health and safety, business licensing, and neighborhood preservation.
- Principles and practices of data collection, case management, and report preparation.
- City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability To
- Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
- Perform private property inspections, collect evidence, document inspection cases, and issue notices and citations.
- Understand, interpret, and explain City codes, ordinances, and regulations to property owners, residents, and others.
- Assess situations, deescalate challenging situations, and resolve conflict, while remaining calm.
- Learn City policies and procedures affecting departmental operations; utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
- Make accurate arithmetic computations.
- Understand and interpret policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise emails, letters, and reports.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
- Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Qualifications
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education
- Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. required.
Experience
- One (1) year of experience related to inspection, law enforcement, building inspection, land use, public administration, or a related field.
Licenses And Certifications
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of a valid California PC832 certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months of employment, a valid California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and remedial work. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 40 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
RETIREMENT
- New PERS Members (entering after January 1, 2013) or returning members with a break in service greater than 6 months will be enrolled in the City's 2% @ 62 Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Employee contributes the employee portion (CalPERS will change this rate annually).
- Classic PERS Members (entering before January 1, 2013 and enrolled in the CalPERS system within the past 6 months) will be enrolled in the City's 2% @ 60 Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Employee pays the 9% employee contribution.
- The City does not participate in the Social Security System.
- Employees pay the mandatory 1.45% medicare contribution
HEALTH/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE
- Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, allows for payment of employee paid medical, dental and vision premiums, dependent care, and flexible spending monies, with pre-tax dollars.
- City contributes between $1,620 and $1,705 per month towards health, dental, and vision insurance, depending on the number of dependents enrolled.
- Fifty percent (50%) of any remaining money may be deposited into a Mission Square 457 deferred compensation account.
LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy. Additional Life insurance is available.
DISABILITY: The City pays the premium for short-term disability and long-term disability insurance for the employee.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Fulltime employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Assistance Program that provides confidential counseling and consultation services for family, stress, financial and legal issues.
VACATION: Accrual based on combined years of full-time employment with the city and other public agencies.
SICK LEAVE: 108 hours of sick leave per year (9 hours per month)
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE: 40 hours per year
HOLIDAYS: 14.5 days per year (this includes the week between Christmas and New Years)
FLOATING HOLIDAY: 2 floating holidays per fiscal year.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year for courses related to job assignment or when pursuing a degree in a major with potential value to the City.
CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE: $50 per month
WELLNESS STIPEND: $150 per year towards wellness-related programs
WORK SCHEDULE: The City has a 9/80 work schedule with alternating Fridays off
01
Do you have a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent?
02
Do you possess a valid California Class C driver's license?
03
Do you possess a valid California PC832 certification?
04
Do you have at least one (1) year of experience related to inspection, law enforcement, building inspection, land use, public administration, or a related field?
05
If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe the area(s) in which you have experience and the duties you performed. If not applicable, please enter N/A.
06
Briefly describe your experience preparing reports and written correspondence.
