Code Compliance Officer

City of Poway; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Poway is seeking a knowledgeable Code Compliance Officer to protect public health and neighborhood quality through fair enforcement of municipal codes. The role balances fieldwork with office tasks, conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and collaborates with residents, businesses, and other City departments.

Under supervision, this position enforces municipal, building, and zoning codes, investigates nuisances, prepares notices, and coordinates abatement with staff and legal

Qualifications

• Two years of experience interpreting and/or enforcing municipal, zoning, building, or other regulatory codes.
• Public agency experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive, record, and investigate complaints about violations of municipal codes and safety standards.
• Explain violations to residents and encourage compliance with codes and ordinances.
• Prepare notices and citations when needed and coordinate abatement actions.

Skills

Inspections

Investigations

Communication

Customer service

Public safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminology

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The City of Poway is seeking a knowledgeable and community-oriented Code Compliance Officer to help protect public health, safety, and neighborhood quality through the fair enforcement of municipal codes and standards. This position conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and works directly with residents, businesses, and property owners to resolve violations and support voluntary compliance. The role involves a balance of fieldwork and office responsibilities, collaboration with multiple City departments and external agencies, and participation in programs such as vegetation management, wildfire defensible space, responsible beverage service, and nuisance abatement. The ideal candidate is organized, professional, and customer-focused, with strong communication skills and a commitment to maintaining a safe, well-kept community.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex duties related to the City’s code compliance program, including the identification, investigation, and correction of violations of the City’s municipal, building, and zoning codes, and of State and City Health and Safety Codes and Ordinances; investigates citizen complaints of public nuisances and quality of life issues and seeks voluntary compliance or issues citations and initiates abatement procedures; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from the City Planner or Senior Code Compliance Officer. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives, records, and investigates complaints from the public and staff regarding violations of municipal codes, ordinances, standards, and health and safety regulations; documents violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data; researches ownership records, development plans, prior complaints, municipal codes and ordinances, and state regulations to establish whether a violation has occurred.
• Collaborates and initiates contact with residents, business representatives, and other parties to explain the nature of incurred violations and to encourage compliance with municipal codes, ordinances, and community standards; initiates abatement of dangerous properties and vector control issues of vacant properties; provides confirmation to public by telephone and in person regarding code regulations.
• Prepares courtesy notices, notices of violation or noncompliance and citations according to applicable codes and regulations; issues letters to property owners notifying them of violation; as appropriate, affixes a notice of violation on property to abate fire and public safety hazards and public nuisances.
• Meets with City planning, building, engineering, fire, sheriff, public works staff and legal counsel regarding complaints; coordinates activities with other staff and code compliance personnel.
• Coordinates and conducts follow-up abatement procedures including the preparation of additional correspondence, site visits, and communication with property owners and attorneys; conducts follow-up investigations to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; prepares non-compliance cases for legal action; presents testimony at nuisance abatement hearings.
• Coordinates and enforces the City’s vegetation management program and Wildfire Defensible Space Program, including identification of properties in violation, notification to property owners, and follow-up inspections and recordkeeping.
• Makes drive‑by or on‑site inspections of residential, industrial, and/or commercial areas; notes possible violations at other property sites during the course of field investigations.
• Provides information to violators, the general public, business community, and other government agencies regarding codes, laws, and ordinances; respond to questions, complaints, and inquiries.
• Coordinates and enforces the City’s Responsible Beverage Service Program, including reviewing application for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licenses, and maintaining records of all licenses issued in the City, inspecting businesses for the posting of required signage, and certification records of employees; explain ABC regulations and answer questions regarding the program requirements.
• Prepares staff reports related to code compliance activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Coordinates the removal of encampments and abandoned vehicles, as needed.
• Maintains files and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Inputs and retrieves a variety of information using a computer.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience

Two years of experience interpreting and/or enforcing municipal, zoning, building, or other regulatory codes. Public agency experience is preferred.

Education/Training

Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. Supplemental specialized training in planning, zoning, inspection, or law enforcement is desirable. A bachelor's degree in criminology, political science, public administration, planning, or a related field is preferred.

License and Certificates

• A valid class C driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California PC 832 certification within six months of appointment.
• Certified Code Enforcement Officer (CCEO) desirable.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in the field and in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, drive on surface streets, and make inspections; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light physical work; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking uneven terrain and landscapes when performing inspections. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above‑mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The following criteria will be used in the screening process: Writing Skills (grammar, spelling, punctuation) - suitable and appropriate for position; Work Experience - consistent, compatible and applicable for the position; and Supplemental Questions - content is inclusive and congruent with the position. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility list, which will be in effect for a period of six months. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, tuberculosis screening, reference checking, and verification of previous employment and education required. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The City of Poway participates in E-Verify. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.