Code Enforcement Officer I/II

Office of Public Response; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Mateo seeks a Code Enforcement Officer I/II to investigate and abate violations of state and city codes, ensuring safe and compliant land and structures. The role reports to the Code Enforcement Manager and may supervise junior staff.

The position involves reviewing files, conducting site visits, gathering evidence, and presenting findings at hearings. Ideal candidates will have related enforcement experience and a valid California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Two years of undergraduate coursework and one year of experience in enforcement, inspection, or public relations.
• Two years of undergraduate coursework and two years of enforcement experience for Officer II.
• License to operate a motor vehicle in California by date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receives complaints of violations of city codes and ordinances.
• Reviews case files, zoning maps, and related documentation.
• Conducts interviews, field investigations and site surveillance.
• Explains violations and proposed mitigation measures to the public.
• Prepares case information for hearings and enforcement actions.

Job description

THE DEPARTMENT

The Community Development Department, also known as CDD, is organized into four divisions — Building, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Planning. CDD has broad responsibilities including, but not limited to, long-range planning, review of applications for new developments, implementation of the City’s housing programs, and maintenance of neighborhoods. You will be joining a talented team in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment dedicated to serving the San Mateo community. The Community Development Department’s core function is to ensure a quality-built environment, healthy neighborhoods, and a strong economic base in the City. Collaboration, innovation, respect, accountability, creativity, transparency, thoughtfulness, and informed risk-taking are attributes and competencies that we are seeking in the candidates.

THE POSITION

The Code Enforcement Officer I/II performs investigative abatement work and enforcement work for State and City codes, ordinances, and approval conditions related to use, maintenance and safety of land and structures. The position receives supervision from the Code Enforcement Manager or Senior Code Enforcement Officer or higher-level department personnel. The Code Enforcement Officer II may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level staff.

The current vacancy may be filled at either level based on experience. Depending upon class level and assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives complaints of violations of city codes and ordinances for residential, commercial and industrial property.
• Reviews case files, zoning, general plan and tract maps and other documentation relating to property involved in complaint.
• Conducts interviews, field investigations and site surveillance.
• Determines compliance requirements.
• Generates reports and conducts research using computer.
• May review planning applications for enforceability of variances and use permit conditions.
• Explains violations and alternative mitigation measures.
• Issues warning notices.
• Prepares case information for and present evidence at appeal hearings and other legal proceedings.
• Refers cases to other agencies or coordinates enforcement activities with other agencies.
• Provides technical expertise and participates in the training of other staff.
• Assists processing of abatement orders.
• May review planning applications, draft ordinance amendments, variances and development proposals for enforceability of conditions of approval.
• Prepares written reports, legal documents, memos and letters.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at www.cityofsanmateo.org

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Code Enforcement Officer I:

Knowledge of investigation principles and practices, principles of customer service, effective public education, and community relations, basic principles, practices and techniques of building and safety inspection, working in a diverse community, safe and efficient work practices as they relate to code enforcement, basic computer knowledge regarding word processing and data bases.

Ability to learn and apply City codes, ordinances and procedures, interviewing, investigatory and safety techniques and practices; conduct research; read and follow maps; explain the provisions of codes and ordinances to the general public; inspect property with unknown hazardous conditions; analyze and evaluate observations and information; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; use protective clothing and apparatus; write technical reports; exercise sound judgment in potentially hazardous or dangerous situations; learn land use planning principles and practices; learn to take photographs and measurements; learn to prepare and present evidence and cases at hearings and judicial proceedings.

Code Enforcement Officer II:

Knowledge of State and City codes and ordinances related to land use and zoning; investigation and safety techniques and practices; evidence collection and preservation; basic principles of land use planning; property owner rights; photography; property descriptions; assessor's map systems; court systems and legal procedures; construction materials and methods; conflict resolution techniques; research practices and techniques; technical report writing; public speaking techniques; practices and techniques of public contact with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; map reading; practices of supervision. International Property Maintenance, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Building Codes.

Ability to apply interviewing, investigatory and safety techniques and practices; read, understand and enforce codes and ordinances; perform research; read and follow maps; make sound judgments in stressful situations; explain the provisions of codes and ordinances to the general public; identify different materials, other conditions which might result in immediate or potential health, safety or fire hazards; analyze and evaluate observations and information; direct and determine compliance; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; use protective clothing and apparatus; write technical reports; inspect property with unknown hazardous conditions, including uneven terrain; take photographs and measurements; maintain accurate records. Work independently without supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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:

Code Enforcement Officer I:

Two years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university and one year of experience with the public in enforcement, inspection, investigative or public relations work, or six months of experience enforcing codes and ordinances relating to planning, zoning, building, or health and safety.

Code Enforcement Officer II:

Two years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university and two years of experience enforcing codes and ordinances relating to planning, zoning, building, or health and safety.

LICENSES

Ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver’s License by date of hire is required. A valid required license shall be maintained.

CERTIFICATE/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• ICC Certification Property Maintenance and Housing or Zoning Inspector within one year of hire.
• Certified Code Enforcement Officer with California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) within one year of hire.
• Successful Completion of a POST 832PC class required within one year of hire.

BONUS POINTS (HIGHLY DESIRABLE)

• ICC Building Inspector Certification (Residential or Commercial).