The Planning and Building Department is actively recruiting for a Resources Protection Specialist I/II

Definition

Resource Protection Specialist I is part of a career series for Resource Protection Specialist I, II and III. Classes in this series perform code and permit enforcement activities, protect natural resources, conduct field evaluations in the unincorporated areas of the County for possible violations of County code relating to land use and building code regulations and ordinances; prepare evaluation reports and compliance recommendations; issue criminal citations, prepare and execute administrative search warrants; coordinate enforcement activities to obtain compliance with all applicable codes; do other related work as required.

Evaluate alleged violations of the County code and permits relating to land use and building code regulations and ordinances; and enforce compliance by methods provided in the code; prepare reports identifying code and permit violations and make recommendations for compliance; issue notices of violation and criminal citation complaints when necessary; prepare and issue administrative search warrants; evaluate approved projects for compliance with conditions of approval; specialists work closely with the public to develop a clearly understandable and workable enforcement solution; coordinate enforcement efforts with other Federal, State and local agencies involved, including but not limited to, the Environmental Health Department, Sheriff's Department, CHP, District Attorney, County Counsel, Department of Fish and Game, Department of Forestry, Department of Consumer Affairs and other law enforcement regulatory agencies; specialists frequently encounter difficult and often hostile individuals and situations, and must make follow-up inspections concerning recommendations for compliance; specialists routinely make case presentations to the Board of Supervisors and Courts of Law; research and analyze building and land use permit records, land use regulatory documents and health and safety ordinances; recommends changes as necessary; prepares and maintains a variety of reports and records.

Ability To:

Resource Protection Specialist I: Under general supervision, receives training in and performs a variety of field and office work in support of the County's Compliance and Resource Protection Program; writes a variety of inspection reports and makes compliance recommendations; issues criminal citations (infraction and misdemeanor); obtains and executes inspection warrants, regularly presents reports and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and frequently appears in courts of law.

Resource Protection Specialist II: The above, and in addition, under direction, conducts evaluations of alleged violations; understands all aspects of the job; writes inspection reports and assists in negotiating complex assignments; may assist in the training and supervision of subordinate staff; performs a full range of enforcement investigations; makes recommendations for improvement or clarification of land use and Building Codes; regularly presents reports and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and courts of law.

Resource Protection Specialist III: The above, plus: This is a lead worker/field supervisory level in the Resource Protection Specialist series. Incumbent under direction, works independently conducting evaluations of alleged violations; understands and has complete mastery of all aspects of job; assists in the supervision and training of subordinate staff; assists in compilation of division workload statistics and monitoring of staff workload assignments; assists in division policy formulation and administration.

Employment Standards

Resource Protection Specialist I: Effective analytical and interviewing techniques; basic knowledge of principles and practices of resource management or environmental studies or land use planning; technical report writing skills; citation issuance procedures; courtroom presentation techniques; public relations and conflict resolution skills; personal safety practices.

Resource Protection Specialist II: The above, plus general knowledge of: building permit process; building construction methods; judicial and non-judicial enforcement options; citation filing procedures; courtroom demeanor and presentation techniques; preparation of reports for administrative nuisance abatement hearings; vehicle abatement procedures; right of entry laws; search and seizure laws; laws of arrest.

Resource Protection Specialist III: The above, and in addition, personnel supervision practices.

Ability to:
Resource Protection Specialist I: Learn to interpret and understand thoroughly applicable permit conditions, and county and state planning, building and zoning ordinances and regulations; prepare concise and accurate reports and recommendations; effectively communicate report findings before the Board of Supervisors and courts of law; resolve conflict by diplomatically settling compliance issues; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, including individuals in violation, department staff and other governmental employees and enforcement agencies; read and interpret maps, blueprints and variety of legal documents and property descriptions; effectively advise property owners and general public on compliance with codes.

Resource Protection Specialist II: The above, plus: Coordinate and handle complex cases with minimum of supervision; make effective and professional oral presentations; write effectively in a professional manner; make recommendations for revision or clarification of various planning, building and zoning codes and ordinances; issue criminal citations.

Resource Protection Specialist III: All of the above, plus: Apply basic personnel supervision techniques; coordinate the work of professional staff assigned to code enforcement resource protection duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Resource Protection Specialist I: Either A: completion of two years of schooling from an accredited college in natural resource management, city and regional planning, environmental studies, criminal justice, police science or related field; OR B: two years performing code enforcement related work consisting of the evaluation or inspection of violations of laws, codes or ordinances in a public agency; OR C: three years of experience in technical planning work, natural resource management (if non-enforcement related work), or performing building inspection activities in a public agency.

Resource Protection Specialist II: The above, plus one year of experience in a public agency in the investigation and enforcement of building, planning or zoning ordinances, environmental protection laws, or related regulations.

Resource Protection Specialist III: The above, plus a minimum of two years of experience as a Zoning Investigator II, Resource Protection Specialist II, or equivalent experience in a public agency in the investigation and enforcement of building, planning or zoning ordinances, environmental protection laws or related regulations.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.