Code Compliance Officer

Salary : $74,943.23 - $91,093.18 Annually
Location : City of Poway, CA
Job Type: Full time - regular
Job Number: 26-49
Department: Development Services
Division: Current Planning
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Definition
Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex duties related to the City's code compliance program, including the identification, investigation, and correction of violations of the City's municipal, building, and zoning codes, and of State and City Health and Safety Codes and Ordinances; investigates citizen complaints of public nuisances and quality of life issues and seeks voluntary compliance or issues citations and initiates abatement procedures; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from the City Planner or Senior Code Compliance Officer. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
Key Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives, records, and investigates complaints from the public and staff regarding violations of municipal codes, ordinances, standards, and health and safety regulations; documents violations by securing photographs and other pertinent data; researches ownership records, development plans, prior complaints, municipal codes and ordinances, and state regulations to establish whether a violation has occurred.
• Collaborates and initiates contact with residents, business representatives, and other parties to explain the nature of incurred violations and to encourage compliance with municipal codes, ordinances, and community standards; initiates abatement of dangerous properties and vector control issues of vacant properties; provides confirmation to public by telephone and in person regarding code regulations.
• Prepares courtesy notices, notices of violation or noncompliance and citations according to applicable codes and regulations; issues letters to property owners notifying them of violation; as appropriate, affixes a notice of violation on property to abate fire and public safety hazards and public nuisances.
• Meets with City planning, building, engineering, fire, sheriff, public works staff and legal counsel regarding complaints; coordinates activities with other staff and code compliance personnel.
• Coordinates and conducts follow-up abatement procedures including the preparation of additional correspondence, site visits, and communication with property owners and attorneys; conducts follow-up investigations to ensure compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; prepares non-compliance cases for legal action; presents testimony at nuisance abatement hearings.
• Coordinates and enforces the City's vegetation management program and Wildfire Defensible Space Program, including identification of properties in violation, notification to property owners, and follow-up inspections and recordkeeping.
• Makes drive-by or on-site inspections of residential, industrial, and/or commercial areas; notes possible violations at other property sites during the course of field investigations.
• Provides information to violators, the general public, business community, and other government agencies regarding codes, laws, and ordinances; respond to questions, complaints, and inquiries.
• Coordinates and enforces the City's Responsible Beverage Service Program, including reviewing application for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licenses, and maintaining records of all licenses issued in the City, inspecting businesses for the posting of required signage, and certification records of employees; explain ABC regulations and answer questions regarding the program requirements.
• Prepares staff reports related to code compliance activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Coordinates the removal of encampments and abandoned vehicles, as needed.
• Maintains files and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Inputs and retrieves a variety of information using a computer.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements/License or Certificates Required

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience:

Two years of experience interpreting and/or enforcing municipal, zoning, building, or other regulatory codes. Public agency experience is preferred.

Education/Training:
Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. Supplemental specialized training in planning, zoning, inspection, or law enforcement is desirable. A bachelor's degree in criminology, political science, public administration, planning, or a related field is preferred.

License and Certificates:

• A valid class C driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California PC 832 certification within six months of appointment.
• Certified Code Enforcement Officer (CCEO) desirable.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in the field and in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, drive on surface streets, and make inspections; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light physical work; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking uneven terrain and landscapes when performing inspections. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Examination Process

A FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION AND ATTACHMENT OF ALL NECESSARY CERTIFICATIONS, ARE REQUIRED AND PART OF THE REVIEW AND QUALIFYING PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY; REFERENCING YOUR RESUME IN LIEU OF ANSWERING A QUESTION WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The following criteria will be used in the screening process: Writing Skills (grammar, spelling, punctuation) - suitable and appropriate for position; Work Experience - consistent, compatible and applicable for the position; and Supplemental Questions - content is inclusive and congruent with the position. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility list, which will be in effect for a period of six months.