Code Enforcement Officer - I

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Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

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.

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.

Receives immediate 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.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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.

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department. Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

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.

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.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Kristen Cannon, Administrative Technician, at kcannon@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.