Code Enforcement Officer

King County's Department of Local Services (DLS), Permitting Division is accepting applications for the career-service position of Code Enforcement Officer I. The Code Enforcement Officer I conducts administrative level assistance related to the enforcement of King County Codes. The position will perform site inspections to assess site conditions and take photographs. Duties also include the processing of inbound mail and the mailing of violation letters and legal notices.

The job requires excellent record-keeping skills and attention to detail; advanced communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; familiarity with certain legal processes; and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

The person in this role will perform entry level code enforcement. The work will involve assisting senior code enforcement officers with alleged and reported violations of a wide array of land use and building regulations. The job will include fielding phone calls, voicemails, emails, and other forms of referrals to determine whether a code enforcement case should be initiated. This requires daily contact with property owners, contractors and other King County and Washington State departments with the objective of causing buildings and properties to be brought into compliance with applicable codes.

King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.

To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Responds to complainants, opens cases, and review on-line complaints for completeness.
• Investigate reports of building, zoning, housing, grading, clearing and critical-area violations, including property research and site inspections
• Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
• Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, and the Department.
• Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
• Prepare correspondence to advise property owners of violations and steps needed to correct them.
• Conduct inspections of properties where violations exist, monitor progress toward compliance, and make record of progress.
• Prepare inspection reports and maintain case records.
• Research zoning and history of properties to determine ownership, improvements, permitted and pre-existing conditions.
• Research and identify the presence of critical areas such as aquatic, wetlands and steep slopes.
• Respond to requests for public disclosures and public information requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Serve with integrity.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
• Sove problems with a “yes, and” mindset
• Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team

• Gra…