Code Enforcement Officer

Salary: $45.17 - $54.96 Hourly
Location : City Hall: 17500 Midvale Ave North, Shoreline, WA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 2026-00050
Department: Code Enforcement & Customer Response Team
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A


GENERAL SUMMARY
Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.

The City of Shoreline is seeking an excellent candidate to serve in the Code Enforcement and Customer Response Team to perform violation case management, code enforcement, and violation abatement for the City. This position works closely with other members of the Code Enforcement and Customer Response Team, the City Attorney's Office and other City departments to coordinate code enforcement activities. This position has extensive interactions with community members, developers, business owners, and other City, State and Federal agencies. Candidates should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to coordinate and manage cases while continuing to improve processes and respect timelines. The ideal candidate will exhibit grit, poise and calm demeanor while resolving difficult situations.


DEFINITION
Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the City's comprehensive code enforcement compliance program. Interacts with City business and residential communities to educate, interpret and achieve compliance with City codes. Under general supervision, receives, investigates, researches and resolves complaints, violations, questions and issues concerning a variety of City codes pertaining to land use, zoning, building construction, fire, surface water, wastewater, right of way and nuisances. Develops code compliance strategies and policies and executes the Tenant Relocation Assistance program and the City's abatement process. Works effectively and coordinates code enforcement activities with other City departments and with appropriate City, State and Federal agencies.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from assigned supervisory or management staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:


Essential Functions :

1. Initiate or respond to complaints pertaining to City code violations and receive, record, investigate, research, track, monitor and resolve complaints, violations, questions and issues concerning nuisances, land use, zoning, right of way, and building construction codes enforced by the City.
2. Gather evidence for enforcement action by conducting field investigations and site inspections, obtaining photographic documentation and researching City and County records.
3. Issue Notices of Violations and Orders to Correct and civil infractions.
4. Meet with developers, business owners, residents and other stakeholders to understand and explain issues, codes and code enforcement procedures.
5. Provide direct assistance to the City Attorney's Office related to civil prosecution of code enforcement cases by appearing as a witness before the Hearing Examiner and in legal actions in court and providing documented evidence.
6. Administer all aspects of the City's abatement program for the legal removal of violations on private property, including scope of work and abatement contract development, vendor identification, police participation coordination, contractor scheduling and oversight to ensure abatements are completed in a timely and safe manner, and bill and document preparation for assessment of tax lien.
7. Assist in resolving code enforcement violations during permit application and project review process to gain compliance or imposing necessary penalties.
8. Develop, organize, implement and update code enforcement programs and procedures, including programs and procedures which enhance the City's enforcement capabilities and amendments to City codes or regulations; advise City departments on specific ordinances and enforcement issues.
9. Coordinate efforts with other departments to ensure appropriate action and uniformity of interpretation, application and enforcement of regulations and codes.
10. Prepare and give public presentations regarding code enforcement and program administration.
11. Attempt to resolve complaints through mediation or enforcement and meet with affected parties to evaluate proposals to achieve compliance, develop voluntary compliance agreements and assist with successful implementation of compliance agreements.
12. Collect, select, classify, and compile data from several sources to prepare summary reports as required. May involve statistical calculations and tabulations in accordance with established formulae, equations, and technical data, or analysis and interpretation of data.
13. Prepare detailed written reports and records, maintain enforcement files and computer database of violation cases, track enforcement penalty fines and fees, and maintain follow-up system on matters requiring action on a periodic basis.
14. Participate in the development of recommendations for the revision of City policies and legislation governing issues related to assigned area of responsibility.
15. Attend and participate in meetings and trainings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of code enforcement.
16. With assistance from the City Attorney's Office, manage, implement and execute all aspects of the Tenant Relocation Program, including substantiating that the violations create sub-standard housing conditions, evaluating tenant eligibility, establishing relocation amounts in conformance with state and local codes, submitting check requests and managing disbursement and coordinating with property owners.
17. With assistance from the City Attorney's Office, create documents, forms, notices and methods of issuing emergency orders that will withstand legal challenge in court.
18. Evaluate conditions and post condemnation placards on private property.

Marginal Function:
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures related to code enforcement.
• City ordinances and codes concerning health, safety and sanitation standards for housing, buildings, premises.
• Effective investigation techniques.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Applicable computer software applications.
• Fluency in one of Shoreline's top languages (Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Amharic, Tigrinya, Korean), desired.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• Learn the City's codes, policies, organization, operations, and objectives.
• Interpret City codes and regulations to people of diverse backgrounds.
• Assist with case file preparation and documentation for legal action.
• Compose concise, clearly written and error-free correspondence, reports, and related documents.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with diverse groups and individuals.
• Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
• Maintain a calm and professional demeanor, resolve conflicts in a positive manner, and defuse potentially difficult situations.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Use electronic and manual measuring devices to record and preserve evidence and testify to its use in judicial proceedings.
• Use of computer hardware and software, office equipment and applicable assigned devices.
• Maintain an accurate and confidential record-keeping system.
• Organize work to achieve timely resolution of complaints and completion of reports.
• Work effectively and in collaboration with community members, citizens, the business community and colleagues.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

Experience:

Two years related experience in code enforcement, law enforcement, planning, municipal code administration, researching, writing or interpreting related uses, management of a related program or experience involving direct contact with the public in inspection and enforcement of regulations.

Training:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, criminal justice, public administration or a related field.

Licenses and other requirements:

Possession of valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Note:
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing state/federal pre-employment background checks.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The City's mission is to fulfill the community's vision through highly valued public service. Our employees work relentlessly to achieve organizational goals while embracing the City's values. City Mission, Values, and Goals .
Working Conditions:
Environmental Conditions:

Field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, inclement weather conditions; work in or with water; work on slippery or uneven surface. Works indoors in a clean, climate-controlled workspace. Sits in and operates a vehicle for extended periods of time. Required to wear a uniform while on duty. May be subject to disgruntled and hostile individuals requiring the use of conflict management skills; frequently required to perform work in confidence and under pressure; standard hazards involved in working in an office position.


Physical Conditions:

Must be able to perform the essential functions including sitting, standing, walking, climbing, stooping, lifting up to 25 pounds, pulling, pushing, balancing, etc.; frequent and repeated dexterity of hands and fingers to operate general clerical office equipment and to write and issue citations, file papers.

Remote Work Eligibility
This position is eligible for remote work. The City's remote work policy, , requires staff in positions eligible for remote work to work onsite a minimum of four days per pay period (every two weeks). Full-time remote work is not an option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington

Conditions of Employment:

• Establishment of employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• Prior to the start of employment, this position requires:
  • A successful completion of reference checks, including at least one prior supervisor
  • A successful completion of a criminal background check.
  • Possession of valid state-issued driver's license with successful results of pre-employment check of driving record with an "acceptable" rating or better according to the City's administrative policy.

Application and Hiring Process:
To demonstrate skills and interest, please complete the application and provide answers to the Supplemental Questions which will help us determine your qualifications for the job. (This application does NOT allow for attachments.) OR Resume and cover letter are required for this application.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Review of applications: November 3
• Panel interviews: Week of November 16
• Second interviews if needed: Week of November 30
• Background and/or reference checks: Week of November 30
• Targeted start date: December 21

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application or interview process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. To request an accommodation, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.
All benefit allocations are prorated for part-time regular staff.

Each full-time regular employee receives Tier I allotment per month to buy benefits for themselves and family members, including domestic partners. If the employee does not use the entire allotment, the remaining amount goes into a deferred compensation (457) plan. If the cost is greater than Tier I allotment, the employee moves to Tier II allotment and is able to receive an additional contribution from the City of up to a current year total amount. For details, please check


Mandatory coverage includes Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, PERS (State retirement) and 401a social security replacement plan. The City does not contribute to Social Security but to 401(a) retirement plan.


Optional coverage includes Regence, Kaiser, Delta Dental, Willamette Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and/or childcare costs, Employee Assistance Program, Voluntary Life & ADD Insurance, Voluntary Accident Insurance and Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance.

The City of Shoreline is qualifying employer. Our employee may qualify for federal student loan balance forgiveness after 10 years of public service employment while making qualifying payments.


The City also provides free ORCA passes. Eleven holidays are observed along with two personal days are provided each year. Additional three management days are included for exempt employees. Vacation starts at 11 days per year. Sick leave is accrued at 8 hours for remote work eligible positions. Positions not eligible for remote work accrue 10 hours of sick leave per month.
01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. This includes failing to provide detailed work history and responses of "see application". Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and understand that your responses will be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02


How many years of inspection and code enforcement experience do you have? Your experience has to be reflected in your work history.

• I don't have this experience.
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year and less than 2 years
• More than 2 years

03


Check all applicable boxes that indicate your experience with interpreting and applying municipal codes pertaining to:

• Land use
• Zoning
• Building construction
• Fire
• Surface Water
• Wastewater
• Right of way
• Nuisances
• None of the above

04


Do you have a valid state-issued driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05


A successful candidate will be required to provide a driving abstract with an insurable record. The City will perform a review of applicants' driving records as part of the recruitment process. Applicants may be determined ineligible based on their driving record. Failure to provide a requested record is an automatic disqualifier from the hiring process. Will you be able to provide a copy of your driving record?

• Yes
• No

06


Acknowledgement of requirements:The City of Shoreline application must be completed (including education & employment history). I acknowledge that if my application is incomplete, the City of Shoreline may not consider me for this position.

• Yes

Required Question