Vendor Enforcement Officer

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New Haven is seeking a Vendor Enforcement Officer to work in the field, traveling across the city to ensure compliance with municipal vending ordinances. You will build relationships with vendors, respond to concerns, conduct inspections, and issue citations when needed, helping maintain safe and fair public spaces.

In this role, you’ll be the face of the vending program, coordinating with city departments and the Licensing Program to support local entrepreneurs while enforcing

Qualifications

• Field inspections conducted to ensure compliance with ordinances.
• Interpret and apply local regulations in real-time.
• Prepare reports and maintain enforcement records.
• Educate vendors and public on licenses and laws.
• Coordinate with city departments on zoning and safety.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field-based inspections of vending operations.
• Investigate unpermitted or non-compliant vending operations.
• Issue citations and notices of violation.
• Maintain enforcement records and case files.
• Coordinate with other departments as needed.
• Respond to vendor concerns and inquiries in the field.

Skills

Field inspections

Regulatory compliance

Report writing

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban studies, public administration, construction management, or related field

In lieu of degree, 4 years related experience

Tools

MS Office

Email clients (Outlook/Gmail)

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

Thisposition is responsible for field-based inspection, investigation, andenforcement activities to ensure compliance with the City of New Haven’svending ordinances. Work involves on-site compliance inspections that arisefrom vending complaints, including enforcement of the special vendingdistricts, monitoring of existing vendors, and issuing citations to vendorsoperating 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

• Conducts field inspections of vending activities toensure compliance with applicable City ordinances and regulations.
• Investigates complaints related to unpermitted ornon-compliant vending operations.
• Issues citations and notices of violation in accordancewith local ordinances and established procedures.
• Educates vendors and the public regarding applicablelaws, licensing requirements, and compliance standards.
• Monitors licensed vendors to ensure continued adherenceto regulations and protocols.
• Prepares and maintains accurate and detailedrecords of inspections, violations, citations, and enforcement actions.
• Prepares written reports, case files, and documentationfor administrative or legal proceedings.
• Coordinates with other City departments, concerningzoning, licensing, and public safety, as necessary.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Three (3) to five (5) years ofexperience 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, anadditional 4 years of closely related experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Considerableknowledge of local vending ordinance and the zoning ordinance as it relates tovending and public space.
• Considerableknowledge of special vending districts and associated rules, regulations, and licensingrequirements.
• Ability to interpretand apply laws, ordinances, and regulations in field situations.
• Ability to assessviolations and determine appropriate corrective actions to achieve compliance.
• Ability to prepareclear, accurate, and comprehensive reports and maintain organized enforcementrecords.
• Familiarity withMicrosoft Office for creating documents, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Competency in usingemail clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for schedulingand managing correspondence.
• Exceptional customerservice skills with the ability to handle potentially sensitive orconfrontational situations with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Ability tocommunicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to dealeffectively with the general public, contractors, technicians and other CityStaff.
• Ability to establishand maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders,including vendors, business owners, contractors and the general public.
• Ability to be versatile, flexible, and be willing towork within changing priorities.
• Commitment to keep all matters confidential and conduct oneself with thehighest ethical standards.
• Demonstratedability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizingand respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Abilityto work flexible shifts, which may include occasional evenings, weekends, andholidays.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Musthave 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 withLocal 884, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.Bargaining agreementsavailable to reviewHERE.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.