Vendor Enforcement Officer

City of New Haven; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New Haven is seeking a Vendor Enforcement Officer to patrol the streets, inspect vending operations, and enforce local vending ordinances. You will travel throughout New Haven, build relationships with vendors, respond to concerns, and help ensure compliance with City regulations.

This field-based role requires independence, sound judgment, and the ability to engage with vendors and the public to keep public spaces safe and welcoming.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in code enforcement, municipal inspection, regulatory compliance, construction trades, or closely related field.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban studies, public administration, construction management, or related field.
• In lieu of college degree, an additional 4 years of related experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field inspections of vending activities to ensure compliance with applicable City ordinances and regulations.
• Investigates complaints related to unpermitted or non-compliant vending operations.
• Issues citations and notices of violation in accordance with local ordinances and procedures.
• Educates vendors and the public regarding licensing requirements and compliance standards.
• Monitors licensed vendors to ensure continued adherence to regulations and protocols.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records of inspections, violations, citations, and enforcement actions.
• Coordinates with other City departments concerning zoning, licensing, and public safety.

Skills

Customer service

Field inspections

Regulatory knowledge

Report writing

Communication skills

Public safety

Microsoft Office

Outlook/Gmail usage

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban studies/public administration/construction management

Alternative: +4 years related experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email and calendar apps

Job description

Introduction

From food trucks along the waterfront to vendors serving the medical district and bustling Downtown streets, New Haven's street vending community is a vibrant part of the City's culture and economy. The Vendor Enforcement Officer plays a vital role in keeping this activity safe, fair, and thriving.

This isn't a desk job. You'll spend most of your time in the field, traveling throughout New Haven, building relationships with vendors, responding to concerns, conducting inspections, and helping ensure compliance with City regulations. One moment you may be checking vendor operations at Food Truck Paradise in Long Wharf; the next, you may be assisting a new vendor, investigating a complaint, or coordinating with City departments to resolve an issue.

If you enjoy working independently, interacting with people, solving problems, and being out in the community rather than behind a desk, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a visible impact every day. You'll serve as the face of the City's vending program while helping support local entrepreneurs and maintain welcoming public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

Primary Functions

This position is responsible for field-based inspection, investigation, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with the City of New Haven’s vending ordinances. Work involves on-site compliance inspections that arise from vending complaints, including enforcement of the special vending districts, monitoring of existing vendors, and issuing citations to vendors operating without a license to ensure compliance with local ordinances.

This position is ideal for a self-motivated professional who enjoys working independently, exercising sound judgment in the field, and contributing to the success of New Haven's dynamic food truck and street vending community. You'll play a key role in maintaining safe, fair, and well-managed public spaces while supporting one of the City's most unique and growing small business sectors.

This role reports to: Building Official/Issuing Authority; Vendor License Program Coordinator.

Typical Duties And Responsibilities

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive.

• Conducts field inspections of vending activities to ensure compliance with applicable City ordinances and regulations.
• Investigates complaints related to unpermitted or non-compliant vending operations.
• Issues citations and notices of violation in accordance with local ordinances and established procedures.
• Educates vendors and the public regarding applicable laws, licensing requirements, and compliance standards.
• Monitors licensed vendors to ensure continued adherence to regulations and protocols.
• Prepares and maintains accurate and detailed records of inspections, violations, citations, and enforcement actions.
• Prepares written reports, case files, and documentation for administrative or legal proceedings.
• Coordinates with other City departments, concerning zoning, licensing, and public safety, as necessary.
• Performs related work as required.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in code enforcement, municipal inspection, regulatory compliance, construction trades, or a closely related field.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban studies, public administration, construction management, or a related field.
• In lieu of college degree, an additional 4 years of closely related experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of local vending ordinance and the zoning ordinance as it relates to vending and public space.
• Considerable knowledge of special vending districts and associated rules, regulations, and licensing requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, ordinances, and regulations in field situations.
• Ability to assess violations and determine appropriate corrective actions to achieve compliance.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports and maintain organized enforcement records.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office for creating documents, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Competency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for scheduling and managing correspondence.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to handle potentially sensitive or confrontational situations with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with the general public, contractors, technicians and other City Staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including vendors, business owners, contractors, and the general public.
• Ability to be versatile, flexible, and be willing to work within changing priorities.
• Commitment to keep all matters confidential and conduct oneself with the highest ethical standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, which may include occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must have and maintain a valid Connecticut driver’s license.

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a Special Fund, "Non-Tested" position. Funding may be terminated at any time.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 884, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

Special Funded employees shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. Submissions may be evaluated prior to a posted closing date, and a hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.