Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

The Code Enforcement Officer position falls under the City of Sequim Civil Service program, which requires a written exam as well as an oral interview. Under the supervision of the Police Department and in coordination with other City Departments, this position performs a variety of routine and complex work in the interpretation and enforcement of City codes and regulations related to community nuisances, abandoned and junk vehicles, parking violations, animal control, property maintenance, and related areas. The Code Enforcement Officer performs a variety of duties involved in the investigation and resolution of potential violations, collaborating with residents and businesses to achieve voluntary compliance with codes whenever possible. The position is required to monitor and respond to calls for assistance.

This position is eligible for longevity pay, which entitles the employee to a 2% pay increase for every five years employed at the City, to a maximum of 8% after 20+ years. Taking these numbers into account, the salary for this position could ultimately range from $32.70 - $42.12 per hour, with the upper pay appropriate for an employee who had 20+ years of longevity with the City of Sequim.

This position falls under the City of Sequim Civil Service Program, which requires the incumbent to successfully pass a police background investigation, which may include a medical examination, polygraph and psychological exam.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Working under a limited commission granted by the Chief of Police, the Code Enforcement Officer receives, investigates, and resolves a range of questions, complaints, violations and issues related to City code requirements.
2. Responds to and investigates complaints of potential code violations; compares facts to code requirements; contacts individuals to discuss violations and alternatives for resolution; interviews complainants, witnesses and violators.
3. Coordinates activities with local, state and federal agencies as appropriate; works with other City departments such as Community Development, Finance, and Public Works staff as needed for subject matter expertise on applicable codes.
4. Conducts on-site visits to ensure compliance with applicable municipal codes and ordinances, with the expertise of other staff as needed; creates and maintains comprehensive records of visits and investigations, including photographs, documenting phone calls, emails and written correspondence; conducts follow-up inspections and verifies compliance.
5. Coordinates the process and issues "notice of warning and violations" on behalf of the City, in collaboration with the relevant department to ensure legal and timely actions and appropriate process.
6. Works with the City Attorney's office to resolve challenging cases; prepares documentation, presents evidence, provides testimony and recommends dispositions to the court as required.
7. May enforce the City's sign code as it pertains to temporary signage; investigates questions and complaints regarding possible violations of sign code and takes appropriate code enforcement actions as necessary.
8. Serves as a resource for City staff and residents regarding code requirements.
9. Prepares correspondence relating to the status of code enforcement activities.
10. Communicates with residents, neighborhood/homeowner associations, City Council, other agencies, and the public regarding City code, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; provides information and recommendations within scope of authority.
11. Assists in ongoing development of performance metrics for the City's Code Compliance Program to reflect awareness of private property rights and evaluate the effectiveness of the program; proposes amendments to enforcement procedures that would enhance the City's enforcement capabilities.
12. Pro-actively explains and makes presentations to community groups and businesses; promotes, organizes and assists neighborhood groups to form cooperative self-help clean-up projects and programs.
13. Drafts and distributes, with assistance from other departments, a variety of correspondence, notices, flyers, media releases and reports relating to code compliance issues and actions.
14. Monitors activities in the public and private sectors of the City on a periodic basis by scheduling ongoing field investigations to pro-actively maintain compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
15. Responds to and investigates complaints regarding violations of City ordinances and regulations; conducts field investigations regarding possible violations of codes and ordinances including but not limited to nuisance, abandoned and hulk vehicles, parking violations, property maintenance, housing, transportation, animal and business license/permits, health and sanitation.
16. Serves as City's first responder in handling animal violations, dog bite investigations, collects animals at large, transports impounded animals to appropriate facilities, prepares citations, submits reports through the police department and prepares cases, if any, for prosecution; testifies in court or at civil and administrative hearings as required.
17. Coordinates code compliance information and actions with other departments, jurisdictions or regulatory agencies.
18. Participates and testifies at hearings for code enforcement appeals.
19. Writes civil penalties, infractions, and civil parking tickets based on SMCs or RCWs, as applicable; escalates issues related to repeated offenders to City Attorney for recommendations on next steps as needed.
20. Within legal, risk, and departmental guidelines, utilizes available technological tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as directed, while also identifying opportunities to leverage technology for enhancing efficiency and solving problems.
21. Primarily responsible for creating and maintaining, forms, checklists, procedural guidelines, voluntary correction agreements, municipal code amendments, etc., in consultation with and as approved by the City Attorney's Office.
22. Maintains timely and regular attendance.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of municipal code enforcement methods and procedures, related to areas such as zoning, housing, transportation, health, sanitation and nuisance ordinances and codes, animal and business license/permit regulations, regulations and requirements of court evidence, rules of evidence and related procedures.
2. Knowledge of Code compliance methods, inspection and investigation techniques; good command of English grammar and methods of report writing for the purpose of preparing accurate and concise written and statistical reports.
3. Knowledge of and ability to prepare all code enforcement cases and supporting documentation in a manner that demonstrates compliance with procedural and due process considerations.
4. Skill in interacting with the public, agencies, and other City employees in varying situations with tact and diplomacy, demonstrating maturity, emotional stability and skill at working well with others.
5. Ability to exercise initiative and creativity in resolving disputes and complaints in an equitable and diplomatic manner, utilizing sound, reasonable judgment and appropriate discretion.
6. Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize cases, complete work in a timely manner, work under pressure and be flexible in responding to changing priorities.
7. Ability to exercise sound judgment in determining and documenting appropriate notice, enforcement, and abatement actions within established procedural guidelines and when such issues require involvement of City Attorney's office or supervisors.
8. Ability to operate a computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software applications.
9. Ability to operate a two-way radio in order to receive dispatches to calls for service.
10. Ability to operate assigned vehicles skillfully, safely, and in conformance with applicable laws and regulations.
11. Ability to participate and pass assigned formal training in animal control procedures, crisis communication, deescalation procedures, etc. as assigned by department.

Minimum Requirements

• Education and Experience: Graduation from high school (or GED), college degree preferred. Three or more years of professional related experience in code enforcement or inspection is preferred.

Certifications and Licenses

• Required within 30 days of hire: Valid Washington State driver's license, CPR certification.
• Preferred at time of hire: Code Enforcement Officer, Animal Control.

Civil Service Eligibility: Ability to obtain and maintain a Limited Commissioned Peace Officer (no arrest power or authority) issued by the City of Sequim Police Chief and to maintain training and proficiency in assigned safety equipment for an unarmed position is required. Any assigned safety equipment is only to be used under Departmental Policies & Procedures as determined by the Chief, as well as manufacturer's recommendations. The Civil Service Commission requires the incumbent to successfully pass a police background investigation, which may include a medical examination, polygraph and psychological exam.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors or outdoors in a variety of climatic conditions, requiring travel, driving a vehicle, and potential transport of animals. Outdoor environment can include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, slip and trip hazards, excessive noise, vehicle traffic and inclement weather conditions. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends as notified by supervisor. May be exposed to various chemicals, such as fumes, odors, gases, noise, dust, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical hazards, and electric hazards, indoors or outdoors at inspection sites. Possible exposure to unsatisfied or disgruntled animal or property owners, and/or potential hazards as it