Code Enforcement Officer I/II

The Community
This nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open space. World-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector, and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.

You belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

Team Environment

While performing the duties of this class, employees are expected to be strong team players who possess excellent communication skills, this is key to successful collaboration across departments and engagement with the community. Required to demonstrate initiative, work effectively with minimal supervision in the field, and contribute positively within a team environment. A strong commitment to continuous learning and a willingness to share knowledge with colleagues are essential to ensure consistent interpretation and enforcement of codes and regulations. The department promotes a culture of open communication, where team members are encouraged to share insights that improve service delivery, enhance public safety, and support overall compliance objectives.

About the Job
The Community Development Department is seeking a full-time Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) to support the Building & Code Enforcement Division. The CEO is responsible for the enforcement of violations of the Carlsbad Municipal Code (CMC) and other ordinances and regulations. The department's code enforcement officers focus on improving the quality of Carlsbad's neighborhoods through education, enforcement and abatement, and responding to community concerns to attain code compliance.

The ideal candidate is:

• A dedicated public employee with a passion for serving the community.
• Has exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• The successful candidate must be honest, have integrity, and be guided by the highest ethical standards.
• The ability to work independently while also supporting and be dedicated to a team-oriented environment.
• Problem solving, good judgment, and dependability are key attributes for success in this position.
• Able to quickly obtain a thorough knowledge of pertinent Municipal Code provisions and interact effectively with the public and other city personnel.
• Approve and issue short-term vacation rental permits.
• Perform the annual state mandated mobile home park inspections in collaboration with the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Coordinate actions with other departments to include but not limited to, law enforcement, fire, stormwater, building, planning, land development, environmental services, homeless and housing services, in enforcement of code violations when necessary.
• Respond to public records requests.
• Facilitate sign enforcement program: outreach, education and storge/disposal/returns to include fees.
• The ability to conduct housing quality standards, commercial property, and/or expired business license compliance review and document violations and/or corrections required to ensure continued participation in city programs as appropriate and necessary.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Respond to public inquiries, explaining the CMC requirements and procedures.
• Perform office and field investigative work required to ensure compliance with CMC and other pertinent ordinances and regulations.
• Address and resolve complaints regarding enforcement and compliance of the CMC. Take appropriate action for disposition of complaints and clarify applicable ordinances and/or regulations; resolves disputes or refers matters to other city departments and/or agencies as applicable.
• Conducts field inspections to locate unlicensed activities and/or to determine compliance with the CMC.
• Write letters and prepares notices of violations stipulating necessary changes for ordinance compliance; takes appropriate action to ensure compliance.
• Maintains familiarity with pertinent sections of the CMC serving as resource to city staff, outside agencies and the public.
• Organize work based on city policy and department functional direction.
• Prepare and maintain records of inspections, investigations, violations, hearings and related data.
• Testify when necessary in hearings and court proceedings, and follow-up to ensure compliance.
• Maintains a close working relationship with the City Attorney's Office.

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including current municipal codes, and applicable building and housing codes as they apply to code enforcement, short term vacation rentals, and business licensing.
• Procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and regulations including methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations.
• Legal procedures involved in the enforcement of municipal codes and environmental regulations.
• Court documents and procedures including procedures for citation issuance and obtaining various types of inspection warrants.
• Neighborhood associations and organizations involved in providing community and neighborhood services.
• Procedures and techniques involved in the investigation, documentation, and enforcement of codes and regulations.
• Principles and best practices of neighborhood and program planning to assist with problem-solving efforts.
• Federal, state and local ordinances and/or laws pertaining to building, occupancy, signs (private and public property), vehicle abatement, building and housing codes and quality standards, and other neighborhood maintenance ordinances and/or policies.

• Assess neighborhood conditions and determine needed improvements.
• Communicate effectively with citizens of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Develop productive relationships for creating partnerships in problem-solving.
• Apply procedures and techniques involved in the field investigation, documentation, and enforcement of ordinances, codes, and regulations.
• Act calmly, rationally, decisively, and tactfully in difficult situations, but also be firm when necessary to gain compliance.
• Ability to read, properly interpret, and use good judgment to make decisions pertaining to enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies.
• Photograph violations being investigated.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally in well-written case notes, letters, emails, reports and other documents.
• Access information from computer files.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Work independently in the field and in the absence of supervision.
• Think in a strategic and critical manner to develop alternative problem-solving and/or code compliance solutions when necessary.
• Work cooperatively with neighborhood leaders, city officials, media representatives and the general public.
• Assist in the training and supervision of less experienced personnel.

Any combination of training, education, and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying background for each level may combine training, education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties independently within a reasonable period. These examples are listed below:

Code Enforcement Officer I:

• Work experience involving public contact, enforcement of established standards or requirements.
• Possession and proof of current PC 832 certification and current completion & attainment of the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Module I (Basic) is highly desirable.

Code Enforcement Officer II (in addition to the Level I):

• Two or more years of increasingly responsible experience performing code enforcement, extensive public contact involving enforcement of established standards or requirements and/or related work.
• Possession and proof of current PC 832 certification and current completion & attainment of the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Module I (Basic) and Module II (Intermediate) is highly desirable.

Special Requirements

Code Enforcement Officer I:

• Possession of or ability to attain a Class C California Driver License. Ability to work after hours and weekends if needed. Must complete PC 832 certification and California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Module I (Basic) training within 12 months in the position, if not held at time of hire.

Code Enforcement Officer II:

• Possession of or ability to attain a Class C California Driver License. Ability to work after hours and weekends if needed. Must complete PC 832 certification and California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Module I (Basic) and Module II (Intermediate) training within 18 months in the position, if not held at time of hire.