CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER

City of San Marcos; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Marcos is recruiting an experienced Code Compliance Officer to enforce codes and ordinances, investigate land use concerns, and coordinate with multi-agency partners within the Development Services Department.

Under supervision, you will investigate complaints, issue notices of violation, prepare reports, testify in hearings, and maintain records. The role emphasizes public safety, cooperation with residents, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Two years of code enforcement or investigative inspection experience.
• Education equivalent to high school with planning, law, or public administration coursework.
• Ability to read and interpret local/state codes and communicate with the public.

Responsibilities

• Investigates and responds to complaints; enforces zoning, housing, parking, and related codes.
• Issues citations, follows up inspections and prepares reports; testifies as needed.
• Mantains records and letters/notices of violation; coordinates with agencies.
• Participates in multi-agency task forces and community outreach.

Skills

Investigations

Enforcement

Public relations

Communication

Education

Education equivalent to high school with planning/law enforcement coursework

Job description

The City of San Marcos is currently recruiting for an experienced, well rounded Code Compliance Officer to serve our community within the Development Services Department. If you have a solid foundation of Code Compliance experience, are excited to serve the community members of the City of San Marcos and have a strong and determined work ethic, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Under supervision, investigates and initiates procedures to enforce and ensure compliance with various codes and ordinances relating to land use matters, other municipal affairs, and state and local regulations; performs routine field investigation, prepares investigative reports, and obtains compliance by issuing notices of violation and corrective action needed, including the issuance of citations; provides information on City regulations to the public, and participates in the multi- agency task force.

Apply by: October 13, 2026

1st Interview: October 21, 2026

2nd Interview: October 28, 2028

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Investigates and responds to complaints regarding alleged violations of zoning, housing, parking, dangerous building and property maintenance codes; enforces ordinances regulating abandoned vehicles, trash and weeds; and surveys and inspects property for violations of various codes and ordinances.
• Researches, interprets and applies applicable codes, regulations, and ordinances; meets with property owners, business owners, tenants, and others to provide information regarding City ordinances and to develop a plan to resolve violations; and initiates procedures to obtain compliance.
• Issues citations, conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance and prepares requests for criminal/civil complaints as appropriate; and testifies at administrative hearings and in court regarding violations and necessary corrective action, as required.
• Prepares and maintains records of investigations made and actions taken; maintains inspection files, records and logs; prepares investigative reports and chronologies; and writes letters and/or notices of violation regarding matters being investigated.
• Removes signs and other objects out of public way follows-up with sign company regarding disposition of signs; and contacts appropriate department and/or agency to insure right of way is cleared and unobstructed.
• Investigates complaints in mobile home parks regarding alleged violations of appropriate local codes and ordinances.
• Participates in multi-agency task force meetings, inspections and follow-up as well as the City’s creek sweep program.
• Utilizes various computer applications and software packages: enters data, and generates reports from a database or network system.
• Maintains professional and cooperative relationships with the public and other departments and agencies.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Procedures involved in the investigation and enforcement of local and state codes and regulations; principles and practices of municipal zoning and land use; modern office procedures, methods and equipment; including computers, computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, as necessary; principles and procedures of record keeping and filing techniques; principles and procedures of business letter writing, record keeping and basic report preparation; methods and techniques of public relations; basic map reading; mathematical principles for purposes of reading plans and maps; effective communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information; principles and practices of customer service; principles and practices of safety in the workplace including procedures and equipment; and effective English usage, to include proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

Research applicable local and state laws, codes, ordinances, and policies; read, interpret and explain complex regulations, policies and procedures; represent the City in a professional manner and deal effectively with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving problems and concerns; accurately prepare and maintain a variety of correspondence, records and reports; learn methods and techniques of research and investigation; understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies, as necessary, to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures; operate and use various office equipment including a camera, mobile phone, radio, and computer and various software packages; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; keep records and make reports; establish and maintain effective and courteous relations with the public and co-workers and contribute to a successful team effort; and demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.

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

Education/Training

Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by courses in planning, law, public administration, law enforcement, or related field.

Experience

Two years experience performing code enforcement or similar public contact work of an investigative or inspection nature for a public or private agency.