In order to hire and maintain a quality workforce that reflects the diversity of the community and works well within our True North values-based organization, the Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services (DLS) is accepting applications for the career-service position of Principal Code Enforcement Officer . 

Under the direction of the Product Line Manager, the Principal Code Enforcement Officer  will be responsible for the supervision of the professional code enforcement staff, providing technical oversight, quality control, and acting as the lead representative in the administration and disposition of code enforcement cases within the legal system, including the abatement process.
 
The Permitting Division code enforcement unit strives to gain voluntary compliance through education, community involvement, and enforcement of ordinances in a fair and unbiased manner while providing superior customer service.  The most competitive candidates will have a proven track-record of leadership and supervision and demonstrated skill in navigating difficult conversations, analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

1. Plan, develop and implement a comprehensive program for code enforcement case referrals to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for injunctive relief and the abatement process.
2. Develop, implement and monitor abatement program performance indicators.
3. Ensure that program maintains compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
4. In collaboration with product line manager, supervise staff, including hiring, recommending effective discipline or termination and developing training expectations.
5. Serve as the primary technical expert and adviser on cases that are referred for litigation including court mandated settlement conferences.
6. Respond to the general public, elected officials and others on highly visible and politically sensitive cases.
7. Conduct field meetings with persons responsible for code compliance and legal counsel to negotiate compliance in cases pending litigation.
8. Develop and approve, as determined by management, settlement agreement requirements for cases pending litigation.
9. Under direction product line manager work with contractors, King County Procurement Office and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to develop abatement contract requirements and coordinate the writing of these agreements with Finance.
10. Meet with contractors on site to discuss scope of project and legal requirements/boundaries and preparation of work order bids.  Prioritize and coordinate work for multiple contractors when required to conduct abatements.  Verify submittals of required permits and documents for work orders.
11. Serve as primary Project Manager for abatements to finalize and execute abatement work orders and amended work orders, and direct contractors.  Monitor abatement sites and inspect for final approval.  Authorize payment to contractors for completed work orders.
12. Communicate and coordinate with the department’s internal finance section regarding contract requirements, adjustments to abatement accounts, contract balances, and civil penalty waivers.
13. Perform other duties as assigned

1. Proven leadership, organizational, supervisory skills.
2. Experience working collaboratively with staff from multiple disciplines and from various levels of the organization and coordinating their work.
3. Demonstrated skill in the application of zoning, building, housing, shoreline and environmental codes
4. Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated skill in the application of legal principles applied to code enforcement procedures
5. Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated skill in research and investigative techniques and principles
6. Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated skill with contract administration techniques, principles and requirements
7. Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated skill in the application of legal descriptions
8. Knowledge of and demonstrated skill in developing, implenting and monitoring abatement program
9. Skill in convincing others to comply with specific codes and regulations and/or to initiate action to enforce compliance
10. Skill in the application of mediation techniques and principles
11. Skill in making presentations to non-technical audiences and/or providing testimony in litigation matters
12. Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants.  First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months.  Including special duty assignments, STT and TLT opportunities.
 
WORK SCHEDULE: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours and/or on weekends.  This position is exempt from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime-eligible.

WORK LOCATION: King County is in a mandated telework environment through December of 2020; this position will initially work remotely. There will be an expectation to travel to various worksites throughout King County as needed for your work.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT: A laptop will be supplied by King County

FORMS AND MATERIALS: An online employment application, resume, and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge and skills for the position.

SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness.  The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.  Interviews will be conducted via Skype or Zoom.  Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.
 
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview on Thursday, October 8, 2020 or Friday, October 9, 2020.  
  

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
King County is the local service provider for roughly a quarter-million people who live in unincorporated parts of the county.  If all of these residents lived together in a single city, it would be the second-largest city in the state.  The population of our urban unincorporated areas is there-to-four times more diverse than those of our rural unincorporated areas in terms of race, language spoken, and income.  The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, a Community Service Areas group, a Road Services Division, and a Permitting Division.  It provides a single point of accountability for delivery of local services to all unincorporated areas in King County.


For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
 
Theresa Reynolds
Senior Human Resources Analyst
206-477-0380
theresa.reynolds@kingcounty.gov
 
UNION MEMBERSHIP: These positions are represented by PROTEC17.
 
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.