Code Enforcement Officer I

City of Compton; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Compton seeks a Code Enforcement Officer I to meet with the public, investigate complaints, and enforce municipal codes. This role involves field investigations, reporting, and coordinating with the legal department.

Under supervision, you will perform inspections, issue citations, and maintain records. A high school diploma or GED is required, with three years of public contact work; a Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years of responsible public contact work with enforcement/public inspection experience.
• Bachelor's degree can substitute for required experience.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of application.
• Valid California driver's license and POST Powers of Arrest certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Receive, review, and investigate public complaints and legal claims.
• Issue citations for City code/ordinance violations.
• Assist legal dept. with cases involving violations.
• Perform inspections of reported/observed violations.
• Prepare written notices detailing violations and required changes.

Skills

Public service

Investigation

Report writing

Photography

Public relations

Legal knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree substitute for experience

Job description

Under direct supervision, meets with the public to service complaints relating to zoning, nuisances, abandoned vehicles and other matters governed by the Compton Municipal Code; conducts field investigations; prepares reports; and performs other related duties as required.

Code Enforcement Officer I reports to the Code Enforcement Officer II and/or Community Improvement Services Director. This position does not have supervisory duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Employees in this classification may be required to work days, evenings and weekend hours.

The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Receives, reviews, records and investigates citizens and employees’ complaints and legal claims.
• Issues citations for violations of City codes and ordinances.
• Assists the legal department in preparing cases involving code and ordinance violations.
• Makes physical inspections of reported and observed violations of municipal regulations and codes.
• Prepares written notifications for compliance detailing the nature of the violations and the necessary and required changes for compliance.
• Maintains records of code violations and corrective action taken.
• Performs office and field investigations to insure compliance with various licenses and permits issued by the City.
• Secures evidence through photography and/or documentation of investigations in cases of noncompliance.
• Assists in the enforcement of State and County laws and regulations governing matters such as health, safety, animal control and vehicle abandonment / abatement.

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate.

Experience: Three (3) years of responsible public contact work with primary experience in the area of enforcement of public laws or guidelines, conducting public inspections, customer services operations and/or complaint investigations. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public, business or law enforcement administration or social sciences will be accepted as a substitute for required experience.

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application.

License Requirement:

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Completion for P.O.S.T. certified courses in Powers of Arrest - P.C 832(a) at the time of application.

Required Knowledge of:

• Modern public relations methods and practices.
• Investigative principles and techniques.
• Basic report-writing and recordkeeping principles.
• Basic photography, health and safety practices and principles.
• Basic police methods and procedures as relates to operations and laws of arrest.
• Legal rights of citizens.
• Basic methods and techniques for effective public contacts.
• The geography of the local area.

Ability to:

• Properly use and care for city issued equipment.
• Accurately observe incidents and persons.
• Analyze situations quickly.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Deal courteously and effectively with public and all individuals or groups contacted in the course of work.
• Research laws, regulations and other guidelines and their applications.
• Interpret various types of written materials; complete forms, prepare letters and other reports and correspondence.
• Plan and implement regulations.
• Conduct inspections to evaluate compliance with established codes and regulations.
• Demonstrate basic skill and ability in photography.
• Make arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy.
• Read basis diagrams, maps and other graphic displays.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other City employees, supervisory officials, personnel of other public agencies and the general public.
• Maintain physical and health status requirements established by the City’s Medical Standards for Applicants and Employees in this classification and occupations group.

Physical Demands/ Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a primarily outdoor setting and will require some work in high temperatures (above 80 degrees) and low temperatures (40-60 degrees).
• Work will require frequent driving, lifting, reaching, climbing, stretching and on occasion pushing.
• Work will require exposure to substandard/unstable structures, domestic animals, rodents, sewage, hazardous materials and chemicals, slippery surfaces and areas with minor amounts of dust.
• Must be able to work in uniform during weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned shift.

Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts.

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit all required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will not be considered.

Please note: Only the first 50 applications received that best meet the qualifications and needs of the hiring department will be invited to continue in the hiring process. Additional applications may be reviewed at a later time, based on hiring needs.

EXAMINATION

The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.

Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS

The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS

Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE: All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.