Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

The City of Petaluma is seeking a dedicated and customer-focused professional to join our Community Development Department as a Code Enforcement Officer. We are currently recruiting to fill one (1) vacancy in this important role that helps preserve the health, safety, and quality of life within our community by promoting compliance with municipal codes and fostering positive relationships with residents, businesses, and property owners. If you are passionate about public service, enjoy problem-solving, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and become a part of a team committed to enhancing Petaluma's vibrant neighborhoods and exceptional quality of life.

** Please note that if selected, you will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting and a polygraph examination. After a conditional job offer is made, the candidate must pass a medical examination and drug screen.

Salary and benefits package:

• Salary range: $79,539.20 - 96,678.40 annually (+2% COLA in July 2027)
• Medical insurance: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo
• Dental & vision insurance: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
• Life insurance: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
• Employee assistance program: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
• Wellness benefit: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
• CalPERS retirement package: 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members; 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
• Deferred compensation plan: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
• Vacation: 80 hours, increasing with years of service.
• Sick leave: 96 hours
• Holidays: 13 fixed holidays
• Personal leave: 20 hours (per fiscal year)
• Paid parental leave – up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
• Public service loan forgiveness program employer

Summary:

Perform a variety of duties involved in investigation and enforcement to ensure compliance with the municipal codes, ordinances, and resolutions.

Class characteristics:

General supervision is provided by a higher level supervisor or manager; responsibilities may include the indirect supervision of support staff.

This is a specialist/technical and/or planning support class responsible for performing the full range of duties as assigned; responsible for specialized tasks in enforcing regulatory ordinances and codes in such areas as planning, zoning, subdivisions, encroachment, building codes, and other related areas.

Duties:

• Perform duties related to zoning and municipal code enforcement.
• Respond to questions from the public, other divisions, and City departments on matters related to potential code violations; interpret and enforce provisions of codes, planning policies, and standards to potential applicants and the public.
• Investigate reported complaints of municipal code, ordinance, and resolution violations; conduct in-the-field investigations to verify violations; advise individuals of violations and methods of abatement; seek abatement through voluntary compliance or, as necessary, through direct enforcement activities such as issuance of appropriate written warnings and violation notices; prepare and issue citations.
• Coordinate and confer, as necessary, abatement actions with other departments and agencies.
• Perform interdepartmental liaison work, coordinate an approach to code enforcement problems; inform involved departments of activities in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections made and other related business conducted on behalf of the City.
• Prepare reports for review and/or action by other interested individuals or agencies and for referral to the City Attorney and County court system.
• Prepare and present code enforcement information and related matters to Planning Commission, City Council, community groups, and courts of law as necessary.
• Explain and interpret municipal codes, ordinances, and resolutions at the counter and in the field, to City staff, property owners, and the public.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal code enforcement.
• Effective inspection methods and interviewing techniques necessary to obtain investigative data.
• Municipal codes, ordinances, resolutions, and policies.
• Correct English usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Research and statistical methods.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Effective problem solving and negotiating techniques.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Education and experience:

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from high school. Coursework in communications, law enforcement, planning, business administration, public administration, or a related field is desirable.

Experience:

Three years of full-time experience involving the enforcement and interpretation of administrative rules and regulations, including two years in a code inspection capacity.

Certifications/licenses:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

Possession of a California State Arrest and Firearms Certificate (PC 832) is desirable.

Physical demands and working environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move weight up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee operates a motor vehicle to transport materials and perform job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works with use of vehicle. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.