Lead Code Enforcement Officer

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY :

Leads, coordinates, trains and participates in the work activities of Code Enforcement Officers involved in enforcing municipal and regulatory codes. Responds to problems and interacts with the public in difficult and unusual code violation situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :

Works under the administrative supervision of the Code Enforcement Supervisor, who outlines work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress, and periodically reviews completed work.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED :

Leads and coordinates Code Enforcement Officers, outlining work assignments, frequently reviewing work in progress and carefully reviewing completed work.

Representative Duties

Leads, trains, schedules, and coordinates the daily work activities of Code Enforcement Officers. Checks employee time cards for accuracy.Reviews the work of others and provides input to employees’ performance evaluations.

Reviews goals and objectives of assigned staff and provides guidance to achieve established goals, objectives and standards.Participates in the development of the Division’s goals, policies and procedures.

Performs public relations activities to establish and promote community outreach goals for neighborhood groups and community associations within assigned area(s) of code enforcement.

Receives and investigates difficult public complaints regarding potential municipal code violations. Conducts inspections and determines presence and type of violation, such as zoning, noise standards, signage, substandard housing, property maintenance, and business licenses. Coordinates task force inspections related to nuisance properties and night/weekend business operations.

Coordinates and monitors special enforcement programs, such as the Vacant Property and Taxi Enforcement Programs.

Prepares and serves notices of violations, abatement orders, citations, corrections and stop work orders.Interprets and explains municipal codes and ordinances to residents, contractors, businesses and the general public.

Gathers, maintains and presents detailed evidence necessary to enforce applicable municipal code provisions. Prepares reports and cases for court proceedings and; testifies in court, as necessary.

Assists the Code Enforcement Supervisor in investigating, reporting and monitoring cases of increasing complexity. Provides information to others regarding the right to due process in code enforcement cases.

Inspects signs, properties and structures for compliance with planning approvals/permits, and/or Architectural Review Board conditions and/or other state and municipal laws.

Conducts sound tests of mechanical equipment, construction equipment, ambient noise levels and amplified music for compliance to municipal noise regulations.

Reviews conditions of onsite drainage, weatherproofing, garbage, weed and rubbish control, and rodent and insect infestation. Works with local and state agencies on to address potential health and life-safety violations.

Responds to difficult inquires and complaints.Communicates findings and makes recommendations regarding courses of action to the Code Enforcement Supervisor and/or Manager.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills :

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of code enforcement.

Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing building, housing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and property maintenance.

Principles of land use and zoning.

Legal actions applicable to code enforcement, arrest, abatement warrants, right-of-entry, and due process.

Safe work practices and procedures.

Procedures and methods involved in investigating violations and preparing documentation for court cases.

Research, analysis and report writing techniques.

Computer word processing, spreadsheet and database applications, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Current office procedures, practices and equipment.

Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.

Basic supervisory principles and techniques.

Effective training and coordinating techniques.

Effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

Lead, train and coordinate the work of others.

Analyze problems, identify alternatives and recommend solutions.

Organize work, manage frequent interruption, and meet deadlines.

Research, develop, and recommend policies and procedures.

Prepare and present accurate and concise records and reports.

Interpret, explain and enforce federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

Read, interpret and explain municipal codes, ordinances, policies, and regulations for land use and signage, noise standards, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, housing and property maintenance requirements.

Learn and utilize specialized software applications and digital photography equipment.

Research and analyze technical information and historical records for municipal code compliance.

Interact with the public and respond to stressful situations with tact and discretion.

Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a variety of City employees, outside agencies, groups, businesses and the general public.

Provide effective customer service.

Skill in:

Reading, writing and communicating at an appropriate level.

Working effectively with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Using a personal computer and applicable software applications.

Education, Training and Experience :

Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s degree or 60 semester units or the equivalent of college level coursework in Engineering, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Four years of recent, paid code enforcement work experience in a public sector agency.Experience must include a full range of municipal code enforcement activities with complex investigation, reporting and monitoring responsibilities. Additional recent, related work experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year for year basis. (Successful completion of 30 semester units or the equivalent is equal to one year of the additional work experience.)

Licenses and Certificates :

Possession of a valid class C driver license. Possession of a valid P.C. 832 - Arrest Course certificate.

Possession of a valid Certified Code Enforcement Officer Certificate (i.e. successful completion of Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Level modules) issued by the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO).

Supplemental Information

Applicants must submit a clear, concise, completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college diploma/transcript and/or certificates. Applicants who indicated receipt of degree from a foreign institution must provide United States degree and credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcript. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. You may attach a scanned copy of your college diplomas or transcript and license to your online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of any of the following:
- Evaluation of Qualifications (Pass/Fail)
- Oral Interview: 100%

If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

Background Investigation:

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Work is regularly performed indoors in an office environment. Work requires visiting off-site facilities, noisy construction zones, and other outdoor work sites where the incumbent is exposed to noise, dust, dirt, and/or slippery surfaces. Physical demands include standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, sitting at a computer workstation to use a computer keyboard and monitor/screen. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 7/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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City of Santa Monica

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