Code Enforcement Officer SR

The Code Enforcement Officer SR performs responsible technical and administrative work in the enforcement of the provisions of the City's Municipal Code and the Palmdale Zoning Ordinance; to investigate and enforce applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations related to, zoning, land use, health and safety, blight, and graffiti involving both office and field work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Code Enforcement Officer Sr

Positions at this level perform the most difficult duties; possess a specialized technical or functional expertise.  Incumbents are assigned significant responsibilities above the advanced journey level, possess specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience, and exercise independent judgment and initiative in the performance of their duties. Positions in this class may be flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Code Enforcement Officer II class.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Answer inquiries and respond to complaints from the public regarding fire and safety hazards, abatement procedures, code and zoning regulations, and potential violations.
• Resolve disputes when possible regarding enforcement actions, notices to abate, citations, and/or legal action.
• Schedule and conduct field investigations; identify municipal and zoning code ordinance violations.
• Advise property owners of violations of specific codes and action necessary to comply; seek voluntary compliance.
• Issue notice of violations involving substandard properties.
• Conduct investigations regarding violations of the municipal code, take appropriate action, which may include the issuance of civil and/or criminal citations.
• Prepare Substandard Notices, Summary Abatement Orders and Liens to record against individual properties; receive and process requests for release of Substandard Notices and Liens.
• Remove illegal signs within public right-of-way, make contact with homeless population, investigate illegal dumping, contact/enforce illegal street vendors, peddlers, and panhandlers.
• Prepare, write and submit cases to City Attorney and/or District Attorney for action in cases of noncompliance; represent the City in court when required. 
• Maintain records of inspection and enforcement efforts including detailed reports, correspondence, photographs, and other evidence, which may be used in legal proceedings.
• Confer with other County and/or State departments such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles County Probation Department, Health Department, State Parole and the Department of Animal Control as well as City departments on the disposition of complaints and violations.
• Obtain inspection and forcible entry warrants as needed.
• Incorporate the City's Strategic Plan and Values in all aspects of enforcement actions.
• Assist in the development and revision of zoning code provisions.
• Perform related duties as assigned. 

Code Enforcement Officer Sr

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; establish schedules and methods for code enforcement and neighborhood compliance inspections and enforcement activities.
• Supervise, train, motivate, direct, and review the work of staff involved in code enforcement and neighborhood compliance.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, equipment, and supplies; monitor and control expenditure. 
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; write performance evaluations.
• Oversee and supervise community compliance programs and campaigns designed to address quality of life issues, neighborhood blight and nuisance abatement.
• Provide technical information regarding code enforcement and neighborhood compliance; recommend and implement current policies and procedures related to the enforcement of municipal and vehicle codes; review and resolve difficult and complex enforcement issues; review files for administrative hearings.
• Prepare reports and make presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, community groups and outside agencies.
• Brief, prepare, and submit notices of noncompliance cases to the City or District Attorney; attend hearings and court proceedings as needed.
• Implement and monitor contracts for services; analyze and recommend parking fines and fees.
• Investigate cases; resolve complaints and minor disputes among staff.
• Provide recommendations to provisions of the Municipal Code, as necessary.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

Code Enforcement Officer Sr

Experience: 

Three years of increasingly responsible code enforcement experience, including one year of technical and functional supervisory experience.

Training: 

Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, planning, law enforcement, code enforcement or a related field. Additional qualifying experience equivalent to Code Enforcement Officer II may substitute for the education on a year for year basis.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

Code Enforcement Officer Sr:

Possession of a valid California driver's license and legally required vehicle insurance and the ability to be insured with the City's insurance carrier required. 

Possession of a P.O.S.T. (832 p.c.) certificate is required.

Possession of, or ability to obtain within six months, California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Module III certificate.

Other Requirement:

Must successfully pass the background for the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as soon as practical.

Knowledge of:

• Land use concepts and zoning principles.
• Zoning and municipal codes, basic understanding of California Penal Code and California Vehicle Code.
• Due process, constitutional rights, limitation of authority; legal remedies, and abatement strategies used in investigation of complaints.
• Appropriate safety measures for field investigations.
• Basic word processing and database operations.
• City organizational structure/functions.
• Outside agencies’ jurisdiction.
• Community/agency resources available to effect compliance.

Code Enforcement Officer Sr

• Principles and practices of neighborhood preservation and revitalization, and the mission of the Neighborhood Services Department.
• Principles and practices of parking and code enforcement inspection and investigation, including collection and documentation of evidence and administrative processing.
• Principles and practices of parking enforcement.
• Land use concepts and zoning principles.
• Nuisance abatement and the ability to present legal remedies and strategies.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, and rules.
• Equipment, tools, and materials used to perform parking and code enforcement activities.
• Principles of employee supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• Business English, spelling and grammar.
• Basic budgetary and contract administration policies and procedures.
• Automated and computerized information systems, including use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles and practices of safety management.

Ability to:

• Read, comprehend, interpret and explain City codes.
• Determine zoning code violations and recommend corrective action.
• Gather and analyze data.
• Prepare accurate and concise technical reports.
• Make sound decisions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Resolve disputes and problem solve.
• Work safely in the field setting.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Code Enforcement Officer Sr

• Organize, implement, and direct enforcement operations/activities.
• Assist with the analyzing of work papers, reports and special projects; assist with the identifying and interpreting of technical and numerical information; assist with the observation and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce pertinent parking and code enforcement and department policies and procedures.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instruction and deal courteously and fairly with the public in the course of duties.
• Read and comprehend City, County and State Codes. 
• Direct and oversee record systems.
• Gather and analyze data.
• Perform routine field visits independently and monitor field officer’s community engagement skills.
• Perform, develop, and oversee reports and documentation related to field and office assignments.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent standing and walking on uneven terrain; frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; regular climbing, bending, stooping and squatting. 

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds; occasional pushing pulling up to 100 pounds. 

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. 

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. 

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. 

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. 

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise; occasional exposure to chemicals, biohazards, fumes, and other environmental substances. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is often performed in an outdoor construction environment with year-round exposure to varying weather conditions. Work is subject to construction site noise and environment including exposure to loud equipment and machinery. Work is performed at various locations. 

Positions will require weekend work, occasional overtime and travel is rare.

Salary : $91,437 - $100,797