Code Enforcement Officer I / Ii

Salary : $83,742.88 - $116,931.36 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-C5D-A
Department: Department of Planning and Development Services
Opening Date: 02/22/2024
Closing Date: 3/22/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01
Description
Under general supervision, assist and perform skilled investigative work, comprehensive field inspections, and enforcement of County building, zoning, housing, land use, abandoned vehicle abatement, signs, public nuisances, health and safety codes and ordinances and related laws and regulations.
The Code Enforcement Division is looking for self-motivated individuals with experience working in an inspection, regulatory, or enforcement environment with strong communication skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.There are currently two (2) vacancies for this recruitment, which may be subject to change.The level at which the positions will be filled is at the Department's discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.
Salary Range:

• Code Enforcement Officer I: $83,742.88 - $101,485.28 annually
• Code Enforcement Officer II: $98,605.60 - $116,931.36 annually

Typical Tasks
Code Enforcement Officer IThe Code Enforcement Officer I is the entry level class in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents hired at this level work under general supervision and receive routine assignments of defined scope within established procedures. As experience and expertise is gained, the Code Enforcement Officer I is expected to increase responsibility, independence and assume more complex assignments. The Code Enforcement Officer I is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer II as the latter receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

• Receives, records, investigates, inspects and responds to routine complaints concerning alleged code violations as assigned;
• Gathers facts and evidence related to code violations, including detailed observations, witness and/or responsible party statements, photographs and historical data;
• Researches and applies information related to applicable codes, ordinances, land use permits, building permits and related laws, rules and regulations;
• Prepares/modifies and issues Compliance Orders and other written notifications and materials;
• Prepares reports, surveys, correspondence and/or assist in the preparation of case information for legal proceedings;
• Maintains accurate and thorough records and files of assigned projects and cases;
• Informs the public regarding violations and procedures by which compliance may be obtained;
• May appear as a witness or testify in court;
• Communicates with reporting parties and key stake holders on case progress;
• Learns to interpret plans and specifications in the process of investigating construction projects in the field;
• Assists in the tracking and collection of fines and fees and may issue citations for misdemeanors and ordinance infractions;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Code Enforcement Officer IIThe Code Enforcement Officer II is the journey-level classification in the Code Enforcement Officer series. Incumbents hired at this level are expected to perform with independence and judgement on matters related to established procedures and guidelines. The Code Enforcement Officer II is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer I as the latter is the entry level classification in the series and incumbents work under direct supervision and receive routine assignments of defined scoped within established procedures. The Code Enforcement Officer II receives more complex cases of higher priority and may also provide technical support or assist in the training of lower level personnel.

• Researches and prepares cases; gathers and compiles information and documentation in support of legal cases, testifies at administrative hearings and/or in court;
• Attends and/or coordinates community and neighborhood meetings and/or participates in proactive Code Enforcement sweeps;
• Coordinates enforcement activities with other regulatory agencies within the County, including other county departments and other public agencies;
• Prepares reports, surveys and correspondence and assists in the development and maintenance of departmental procedures and related documents;
• Consults with Code Enforcement Manager for direction on very complex, high visibility cases to ensure appropriate enforcement and response;
• Conducts extensive research and applies information related to applicable codes, ordinances, land use permits, building permits and related laws, rules and regulations and determine proper course of action;
• Determines appropriate enforcement methods and prioritization of compliance for routine cases;
• Conducts special studies and investigations, as assigned;
• May provide technical support or assist in the training of lower level personnel;
• Explains technical and procedural aspects of Code Enforcement in person, by telephone, and through correspondence to staff and members of the public in order to obtain or maintain ordinance compliance;
• Communicates, gains support and maintains cooperation with reporting parties and key stake holders on case progress;
• Receives, records, investigates, inspects and responds to complaints concerning alleged code violations in response to public complaints and issues citations on misdemeanors and ordinance infractions;
• Identifies and investigates violations observed while in the field;
• Evaluates, gathers facts and evidence related to code violations, including detailed observations, witness and/or responsible party statements, photographs and historical data;
• Prepares or modifies Compliance Orders and other written notifications and materials;
• Maintains accurate and thorough records and files of assigned projects and cases;
• Applies fee schedules and designated calculation methodologies to administer fines and fees;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Perform other duties as required.

Employment Standards
Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through training and experience equivalent to possession of 60 semester units from an accredited college.
Experience:

• Code Enforcement Officer I: One (1) year of experience dealing with the public in an enforcement, inspection, regulatory or investigations capacity.
• Code Enforcement Officer II: Two (2) years of experience equivalent to a Code Enforcement Officer I with the County of Santa Clara.

Special Requirements:

• Code Enforcement Officer I: Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment.
• Code Enforcement Officer II:Must obtain California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Certification within one year of appointment and possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment also required.

Code Enforcement Officer I:Knowledge of:

• Interviewing techniques;
• Office practices and procedures, including filing systems and preparation of correspondence and reports;
• Basic investigative techniques;
• Customer service principles, including the handling of hostile and distressed people;
• Common office computer applications, including word processing spreadsheets and database;
• Basic mathematic principles.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Interpret, read, comprehend, disseminate and explain applicable laws, codes and regulations and their application;
• Learn principles and practices of Code Enforcement;
• Prepare clear, consist and accurate reports;
• Learn specialized department software and/or databases;
• Exercise initiative, tact and balance with competing demands and priorities;
• Exercise analytical and problem solving skills; collect and evaluate data;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and County personnel;
• Reason logically and exercise sound judgement under pressure;
• Interact in a professional and knowledgeable manner.

Code Enforcement Officer II:
Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods and techniques used in investigations and Code Enforcement work, and officer safety, including appropriate legal requirements;
• General provisions of County, building, zoning, housing, land use, abandoned vehicle abatement, signs, public nuisances, health and safety codes and ordinances and related laws and regulations;
• Common office computer applications, including word processing spreadsheets and database;
• Customer service principles, including the handling of hostile and distressed people;
• Basic mathematic principles;
• Basic methods of dispute resolution;
• Techniques, symbols and language used in planning, drafting and mapping.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Work independently within established procedures;
• Prepare comprehensive, statistical reports, documentation and case files;
• Interpret, read, comprehend, disseminate and explain department procedures, applicable laws, codes and regulations and their application;
• Synthesize case issues, ordinances and legal requirements;
• Exercise initiative, tact and balance with competing demands and priorities;
• Exercise analytical and problem solving skills; collect and evaluate data, develop solutions and make recommendations;
• Quickly learn and operate specialized software and/or databases;
• Interact in a professional and knowledgeable manner;
• Act calmly, exercise sound judgment and resolve general disputes;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and County personnel;
• Anticipate and/or identify potential adversarial or unsafe working conditions and involve/advise safety and management personnel;
• Negotiate and obtain agreements.

Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.
Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03
Do you possess certification by the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO)?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the expiration date of your certification by the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) and attach proof of the certification. If you do not possess this certification, type N/A.
05
How many years of experience do you possess dealing with the public in an enforcement, inspection, regulatory or investigations capacity?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

06
Describe your professional experience in dealing with the public in an enforcement, inspection, regulatory or investigations capacity.Be detailed and specific in your response and include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), dates worked, and hours worked per week. If no experience, indicate N/A.
07
Please select the areas in which you possess professional level exper...