Code Enforcement/Planning Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Code Enforcement/Planning Assistant

SALARY: $4,566.00/ Month - Plus Excellent Benefits

CLOSING: Open Until Filled - First Review September 25, 2026 (weekly thereafter)

DEPARTMENT: Community Development

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Code Enforcement Assistant provides the public with information and technical assistance regarding Umatilla County regulations, including the Solid Waste, Smoke Management, Development Code, and Code Enforcement Ordinances. In this role, the Code Enforcement Assistant provides administrative support to the Code Enforcement Field Officer, the Smoke Management Advisory Committee, and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Additionally, they maintain detailed records of all code enforcement activities and assist the Code Enforcement Field Officer with administering and enforcing land use and solid waste regulations. Responsibilities also include coordinating abandoned vehicle complaints and property abatement efforts in partnership with other county and state agencies. Furthermore, the Code Enforcement Assistant periodically assists land-use planners to complement and augment compliance workflows and duties as determined necessary by the Director.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports directly to, and receives supervision from the Community Development Director.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES OF POSITION

1. Serves as the primary point of contact for the public, state agencies, and federal agencies regarding all county solid waste, land use, and code enforcement inquiries and complaints. Issues warnings and/or citations as necessary, maintains case files within the tracking system, assists County Counsel with hearing preparations, and provides court testimony when requested.
2. Assists the public with general zoning and map inquiries in person, over the phone, and via email. Responsibilities include issuing Zoning and Smoke/Burn permits, as well as processing and drafting findings for Conditional Use Permits as assigned.
3. Serves as the staff liaison for the Smoke Management Committee by facilitating meetings, transcribing minutes, preparing agendas, updating webpages, maintaining the Smoke Management Ordinance, and ensuring full compliance with Oregon Public Meetings Law.
4. Serves as the staff liaison for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) by facilitating meetings, transcribing minutes, preparing agendas, updating webpages, maintaining the Smoke Management Ordinance, and ensuring full compliance with Oregon Public Meetings Law. Additional duties include sending notifications to SWAC committee members and franchise holders, preparing the annual DEQ Waste Shed Opportunity to Recycle report, ensuring Recycling Modernization Act compliance, coordinating Volunteer Clean-Up Programs and Household Hazardous Waste Collection events, managing franchise renewal records and fees, and working with the Community Development Director to draft and present an annual SWAC report to the County Board of Commissioners.
5. Manages annual Conditional Use Permit (CUP) reviews by notifying permit holders, coordinating site inspections to ensure compliance, issuing follow-up correspondence or notices of non-compliance, maintaining the CUP database, logging detailed notes, and reviewing potential violations with Planning staff.
6. Handles "junk slips" and abandoned vehicles by preparing DMV Form 272 for state submission. Conducts issuance of abandoned vehicle notices, and in coordination with the Code Enforcement Field Officer, issues citations under ORS 819.100 to last known owners. Provides court testimony as required.
7. Supports Planning staff and front office customer service by researching code compliance. The position also initiates code and ordinance updates related to solid waste and code enforcement, while compiling annual enforcement data for the Community Development Director.
8. Maintains the digital tracking system for land use permits and administrative records by digitizing physical documents. Clerical responsibilities include transcription, data entry, filing, typing, mail distribution, and website maintenance.
9. Coordinates the annual reporting process between Umatilla County and local wind energy facilities to ensure timely submissions, taking enforcement action when necessary. The employee also tracks meteorological tower permits to ensure they remain current.
10. Assists the Administrative Assistant with the annual preparation and compilation of the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) report and summary.
11. Provides back-up support for the Community Development Administrative Assistant by preparing daily deposits, organizing land use files, drafting public notices, managing Planning Commission hearing logistics, preparing commissioner packets, and transcribing meeting minutes.
12. Performs other code enforcement and planning-related duties as business needs dictate.

OTHER DUTIES OF POSITION

Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience

• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Must have extensive understanding of basic office operations as demonstrated through a minimum of 2 years of general office experience, or a combination of general office experience and secondary education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree
• Valid Driver's License
• Previous work experience in code enforcement and ordinance compliance desirable
• Certification by Oregon Code Enforcement Association desired but not required

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of conduct of public meetings and an ability to take accurate minutes.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in land use, building codes, solid waste practices, codes and ordinances, and related enforcement procedures, or similar experience preferred.
• Identify code compliance issues and options for resolution including advising the parties of the required applications and permit procedures.
• Ability to accurately and logically present information both verbally and in writing. Prepare clear and concise narratives, written reports and documentation.
• Excellent organization skills and an ability to enter, record, store and maintain information in writing and electronically.
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a courteous and professional manner.
• Effective communication and intergovernmental skills including the ability to maintain an effective and congenial working relationship with various department staff, other county employees and departments, and outside agencies.
• Ability to interpret code language to determine compliance and non-compliance. Equitably apply laws, ordinances and regulations to specific situations. Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources.
• Ability to utilize computer or tablet equipment to navigate Geographic Information System (GIS)-based tools for use in conducting field observations and reporting.
• Ability to compile relevant property information and summarize details into a legally defensible concise written form.
• Ability to resolve misunderstandings and/or conflict with complainants, property owners who may be in violation, affected neighbors, and involved agency representatives.
• Ability to obtain certification as an Appraiser for the DMV within 6 months of hire date in order to be able to issue Form 272 evaluations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Successfully pass a background check.

General/Organizational Competencies

1. Integrity: Act with honesty and honor without compromising the truth and do the right thing even when no one else is around.
2. Accountability: Acknowledge and assume responsibility for your actions and decisions, as well as evaluate and be evaluated on performance and behavior that you are responsible for.
3. Empowerment: Encourage and support all people to take initiative and give their best, as well as promote an environment that encourages all people to lead and make decisions.
4. Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, honoring Umatilla County policies and all regulatory requirements.
5. Customer Focus: Striving for high customer satisfaction, serving the public in a helpful, pleasant and courteous attitude.
6. Communication: Balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, influencing others and keeping others informed.
7. Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
8. Initiative: Taking ownership of our work, doing what is needed without being asked, following trough.
9. Efficiency: Planning, managing time well, being on time, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, bend, talk and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computer and tablet, including word processing, Internet, ArcGIS Online and spreadsheet programs; calculator, telephone, copy machine, fax machine and postage machine. Permit tracking and Code Enforcement records are maintained digitally and physically.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment; the employee rarely works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This description covers the most significant essential and auxiliary duties performed but does not include other occasional work which may be similar, related to, or logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Use of Umatilla County application is MANDATORY and must be submitted via our online portal at . Anyone who qualifies for Veterans' Preference in Public Employment provided for in OAR 839-006-0435; please include proper certification (OAR 839-006-0465) with your application. Any applicant with a disability who needs reasonable accommodation in any step of the application or hiring process to assist or to demonstrate qualifications or to perform the essential functions of the job for which the applicant is applying should inform the Human Resources Department.

Umatilla County provides employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants, without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other status protected by applicable Federal, Oregon, or Local Law.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER