2023 Hiring Range: $6,175.00 to $6,903.00 per month with growth to $7,717.00

This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt position. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Work outside regular business hours is not expected. Hybrid and flexible schedules are typically not available for positions in this classification. The incumbent in this position is not a Civil Service employee.

The Code Enforcement Officer coordinates and performs varied and complex research and inspection work to enforce and ensure compliance with zoning, building, public works, and other City, Federal, County and State codes and ordinances, such as land use, building, dangerous building, nuisances, signs, shorelines, forest practice, critical areas, and grading. The position may represent the City to the community, participate in case preparation and court and land use hearings for non-compliance cases, may participate in negotiations on behalf of the City, and investigate and resolve citizen concerns and complaints regarding code compliance.

The Code Enforcement Officer regularly interacts with and establishes relationships with the public, City officials, City employees, contractors, and other government agencies. Work is performed with limited supervision and the employee has independence and latitude for exercising sound judgment and high-level initiative, and confidentiality within the scope of oral and written instructions and established City of Sumner guidelines, policies, procedures, practices, as well as applicable local, state and federal laws. The incumbent must also possess demonstrated skill in collaboration, communication, public relations, diplomacy, balancing confidentiality and transparency, organization, risk assessment, decision-making, problem-solving, follow-through, and ability to identify and execute improvement opportunities. Work is reviewed for quality, timeliness, and successful achievement of projects and duties in alignment with the job. Work is also reviewed for ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and ability to work as a team member with City staff, elected officials, and the general public. This is a non-supervisory position.

About Sumner:
The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 10,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 100 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, full service public works and administration.

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with above average proficiency.

• Responds to and investigates complaints of potential code violations; compares facts to code requirements; contacts individuals to discuss violations and alternatives for resolution; interviews complainants, witnesses and violators.
• Coordinates activities with other departmental divisions and City departments, and local, state and federal agencies as appropriate; works with Planning and Building staff when needed to gain compliance with applicable codes.
• Conducts on-site inspections to ensure compliance with applicable zoning, building, critical areas and shoreline regulations, and other municipal codes and ordinances; creates and maintains comprehensive records of inspections and investigations, including photographs, emails and written correspondence; conducts follow-up inspections and verifies compliance.
• As necessary, issues “stop work” orders on behalf of the City.
• Conducts or assists in the inspection of dangerous buildings, and as appropriate, assists in coordinating the process for condemnation of buildings in a legal and timely manner.
• Works to resolve non-compliant or challenging cases; works with City Attorney and/or special counsel on litigation; prepares documentation, presents evidence, provides testimony and recommends dispositions to the court as required.
• Administers the City’s sign code; accepts, reviews and issues sign permits; investigates questions and complaints regarding possible violations of sign code and takes appropriate code enforcement actions as necessary.
• Serves as a resource for City staff and residents regarding code requirements.
• Provides front counter staff assistance, information and answers to questions related to City code requirements and permit application procedures and requirements.
• Assists with processing permits as needed, including providing information on zoning and building codes.
• Prepares correspondence relating to the status of code enforcement activities.
• Communicates with residents, neighborhood/homeowner associations, other agencies and the public regarding City code, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; provides information and recommendations within scope of authority.
• May be required to testify in court or at civil and administrative hearings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience in code compliance or similar enforcement, housing/building inspection with direct interaction with the public; AND
• Associates Degree in urban planning, construction management, law enforcement, public administration, or related field from an accredited college or university; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.
• ICC Code Enforcement Officer certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• Possession of valid Washington State Driver's License with record free from serious or frequent violations

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Municipal Code, ordinances and regulations related to zoning, noise, building, dangerous buildings, fire safety, shorelines, forest practice and critical areas.
• Construction standards, materials and methods.
• Code compliance methods, inspection and investigation techniques.
• Development community and contractor practices.

Ability to:

• Absorb and analyze information, draw sound conclusions and make recommendations and decisions which address technical, financial, legal and social consequences.
• Read and interpret plans, specifications, maps and engineering drawings and to compare them with construction in process.
• Read, interpret and apply work related codes, ordinances, legal property descriptions and other regulations and guidelines governing work assignments.
• Maintain accurate, organized and up to date records.
• Communicate technical information and requirements in a clear, tactful and accurate manner, both orally and in writing.
• Exercise initiative in resolving disputes and complaints in an equitable and diplomatic manner, utilizing sound, reasonable judgment and appropriate discretion.
• Plan and organize cases, complete work in a timely manner, work under pressure and be flexible in responding to changing priorities.
• Represent the City through effective public relations, professional demeanor and excellent customer service.
• Support and model the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
• Present the City in a positive image through effective public relations, courteous and friendly treatment and exemplify exceptional customer service, values and ethics.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Work independently, without close supervision and show initiative in resolving disputes and complaints.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialist software.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain the highest level of ethical standards and ethical independent decision making, at all times.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Description of Work Environment:

While performing duties of this job, the employee works primarily in both an office and in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near vehicular traffic, moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibrations.