Placer County

To enforce state and local zoning, building, health and safety, land use, and housing codes through research, investigation, inspection, and follow-up activities, including citation issuance and court appearances; and to communicate with the public regarding code compliance and enforcement.

Code Enforcement Officer I
This is the entry level class in the Code Enforcement series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Code Enforcement Officer II
This is the full journey level class within the Code Enforcement series.  This class is distinguished from the Code Enforcement Officer I by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Supervising Code Enforcement Officer in that the latter exercises full, first-line supervision over technical and clerical staff and investigates and handles the most difficult and complex code enforcement cases.

Code Enforcement Officer I
Receives immediate supervision from the Supervising Code Enforcement Officer and may receive direction from assigned management or supervisory staff.

Code Enforcement Officer II
Receives general supervision from the Supervising Code Enforcement Officer and may receive direction from assigned management or supervisory staff. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate complaints and conduct field inspections; enforce code requirements through written and personal contact; issue warning notices and citations; conduct follow up inspections.
• Explain applicable zoning, building, health and safety, land use, housing codes, and other applicable laws or regulations and division policies and procedures to the public in the field, by telephone, and at the public counter; coordinate with other County departments and outside agencies as needed.
• Establish and maintain accurate and complete case files; prepare legal documents and evidence for court and/or administrative hearing proceedings; testify in court as needed.
• Receive and review information about possible violations of zoning, land use, health and safety, and building codes; research parcel history and permits to determine validity of complaints.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Code Enforcement Officer I

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

Experience: One (1) year of public contact involving interpretation and explanation or enforcement of laws and regulations.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

• Possession of a valid certificate of completion of Penal Code §832 Course in Arrest, Search, and Seizure issued by California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment.

Code Enforcement Officer II

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

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible experience performing duties similar to Code Enforcement Officer I in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  

Code Enforcement Officer I

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of positive interpersonal and public relations.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; identify, analyze, interpret, recall, observe, explain, and enforce policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations; observe, respond to, and maintain awareness of a variety of situational factors while in the field; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On a continuous basis, walk, stand, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, reach, climb, balance and twist, to perform office and field work; perform simple grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; speak, use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; visually differentiate between colors and land use maps; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight.
• Learn to independently interpret, explain, and enforce zoning, building, health and safety, and land use rules and codes to employees and the public.
• Learn to perform routine investigations and inspections and prepare evidence and files on difficult enforcement cases for court presentation and testimony.
• Learn to prepare and issue citations and warrants; collect and preserve evidence; write arrest warrants, inspection warrants, search warrants, and related paperwork.
• Learn to follow established procedures to issue citations and warrants to people in violation of county codes and state regulations; document each citation presented to owners and agents.
• Learn to simultaneously investigate multiple inquiries and complaints and conduct multiple field inspections, accurately document findings, and maintain appropriate records.
• Learn to compile, analyze, and evaluate technical information; prepare evidence for use in hearings and court proceedings; testify regarding such evidence.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Obtain information through interview and dialogue; work fairly and courteously with the public.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Use modern office equipment and computers, as well as a photographic camera.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Code Enforcement Officer II

In addition to the qualifications for Code Enforcement Officer I:

Knowledge of:

• State and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to building, housing, health and safety, land use, and zoning.
• Operation, policies, and procedures of a county planning and/or building division, especially as related to code enforcement and compliance.
• Investigative and evidence-gathering techniques related to land use code violations and other violations related to code enforcement and compliance.

    When assigned to the Cannabis Enforcement Team:

• General identification related to physical plant species, particularly cannabis; indoor and outdoor cultivation sites, techniques, tools, and products used in the cultivation of cannabis/marijuana.
• Applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations regarding the cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis.
• Basic principles of personal safety and self-defense.

Ability to:

• Independently interpret, explain, and enforce zoning, building, health and safety, and land use rules and codes to employees and the public.
• Perform routine investigations and inspections and prepare evidence and files on difficult enforcement cases for court presentation and testimony.
• Simultaneously investigate multiple inquiries and complaints and conduct multiple field inspections; determine violations or permitted land uses per local and state laws and regulations; accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records.
• Compile, analyze, and evaluate technical information; prepare evidence for use in hearings and court proceedings; testify regarding such evidence.
• Read and understand site plans, blueprints, maps, drawings, specifications, legal descriptions, contract documents, graphs, and building and use permits.
• Obtain information through interview and dialogue; work fairly and courteously with the public.

When assigned to the Cannabis Enforcement Team:

• Identify plant species, particularly cannabis, for investigative purposes related to applicable restrictions in state and local code.
• Maintain awareness of laws, rules, and regulations regarding the legal requirements associated with growing and cultivating cannabis.
• Read and interpret state and local laws to determine compliance.
• Demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Think logically and act quickly in difficult situations; judge situations and people accurately; exercise good judgement and make sound, independent decisions while working in the field in potentially hostile situations.