Code Enforcement Officer (Solid Waste)

Costa Mesa Sanitary District•Costa Mesa, CA

79d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex technical and public contact duties related to the District’s residential solid waste compliance programs, including the identification, investigation, and enforcement of violations of District codes and regulations. Conducts field patrols, investigates complaints, and documents violations involving cart placement, unauthorized waste removal (scavenging), residential cart contamination, and other solid waste requirements. Encourages voluntary compliance through education, prepares and issues citations, and performs related work as required. This is a full journey-level and specialized classification that performs the full range of duties related to inspection, field monitoring, outreach and education, and enforcement activities required to ensure compliance with the District’s Operations Code and solid waste requirements. Successful performance of the work requires the frequent use of tact, discretion, and independent judgment; knowledge of the District’s solid waste programs, requirements, collection practices, and compliance procedures, and extensive contact with the public, staff, and hauler representatives.

Requirements

Principles, practices, methods, and techniques for field inspection and documentation related to code enforcement and compliance activities.
Principles and practices of residential solid waste collection, recycling, and contamination prevention.
Methods and procedures used in solid waste and code compliance including citation issuance procedures.
Practices for documenting inspections, correcting violations, and following up on compliance activities.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and administrative and program policies.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary for field inspections and investigations, route reviews and code compliance.
Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
Principles and procedures of record-keeping, technical report writing, and preparation of correspondence and presentations.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Techniques for effectively representing the District in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with residents, property owners, hauler representatives, contractors, and the public.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, hauler representatives, and District staff.
Explain District codes, regulations and solid waste requirements to property owners, residents, and others.
Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Understand and explain occupational hazards and standard safety practices related to field inspections, route reviews, code compliance, and residential solid waste activities.
Conduct field inspections and route reviews and accurately document observations, violations, service issues, and other conditions.
Identify and respond to issues and concerns of management, the District Board, a variety of professional groups and committees, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, in person and over the phone.
Investigate complaints and potential violations; recommend or take appropriate compliance and follow-up actions consistent with established procedures; and mediate resolutions in a timely and tactful manner.
Effectively represent the District in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various professional and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
Effectively manage stressful, sensitive, and potentially confrontational situations while maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, and effective communication.
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Maintain complete and accurate logs, records, and other documentation of field activities, route reviews, service issues, violations, and compliance actions.
Make accurate arithmetic and basic statistical computations.
Work independently in the field, organize assignments, establish priorities, and meet established deadlines.
Operate a motor vehicle in a safe and lawful manner.
Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12 th ) grade.
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience performing code enforcement, solid waste compliance, field inspection, regulatory enforcement, or a closely related field involving substantial field work and public contact.

Nice To Haves

College-level coursework or technical training in code compliance, solid waste management, environmental services, public administration, or a related field is desirable.
Bilingual Spanish skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

Patrols geographic area in assigned vehicle to proactively and reactively monitor solid waste collection activities, identify and address potential violations of the District’s solid waste programs and Operations Code, and document field observations.
Receives, records, and investigates complaints from the public and staff regarding violations of the District’s Operations Code and solid waste requirements; documents violations and other field conditions by obtaining photographs and other pertinent data; researches applicable District requirements, prior complaints, and other relevant information to establish whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate compliance response.
Initiates contacts in person, by telephone, and in writing, with residents, property owners, and other parties to explain observed violations, provide education, and encourage compliance with the District’s codes and regulations.
Conducts residential solid waste route reviews and vehicle-based or on-site inspections of residential areas to observe cart placement, contamination, service conditions, and compliance with District solid waste requirements; documents observations, notes potential violations, and initiates appropriate follow-up.
Prepares and issues notices of violation or noncompliance, administrative citations, and other correspondence according to applicable codes and regulations.
Coordinates and conducts follow-up procedures including the preparation of additional correspondence, site visits, and communication with property owners and residents.
Contacts and, when appropriate, issues notices or citations to individuals engaged in unauthorized removal of materials (scavenging) from District-serviced carts.
Maintains files, databases, daily inspection logs and records related to field patrols, route reviews, complaints, citations, service issues, and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
Coordinates and communicates with the District’s solid waste hauler regarding collection-related violations, cart conditions, service issues, contamination, and other matters requiring follow-up.
Identifies and documents graffiti, damage, or other conditions observed on District-serviced carts and reports such conditions to the appropriate District staff or hauler for follow-up.
Serves as liaison and educator to the community; provides information and outreach to residents regarding proper waste sorting, recycling, cart placement, contamination prevention, and other District solid waste requirements; and promotes voluntary and cooperative compliance through field contacts and outreach.
Attends District meetings and provides written and oral reports when requested.
Prepares monthly report summarizing field patrols, route reviews, compliance activities, citations, scavenger contacts, cart violations, and other solid waste enforcement and inspection activities for presentation to the District Board.
Participates in recommending and developing policies, procedures, and projects to ensure efficient and effective solid waste compliance and enforcement activities in compliance with District guidelines, standards, goals, and objectives.
Operates standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications.
Performs other duties as assigned.