Code Enforcement Officer

Code Enforcement Officer

Salary: $72,155.20 - $97,281.60 Annually

Location: Orange County

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Department: OC Public Works

Opening Date: 05/28/2026

Closing Date: 6/4/2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

Career Description

Code Enforcement Officer. Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. Open to the public. This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Code Enforcement Officer positions within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works' guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability. OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance & OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

OC Development Services oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County's unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations – all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

The opportunity: Be a part of a dynamic and innovative team as a Code Enforcement Officer for OC Public Works in OC Development Services. The Code Enforcement Officer will be responsible for performing field and office work in the investigation and enforcement of ordinances, codes, and related regulations pertaining to potential land use, zoning, building, grading, nuisance, and property maintenance violations; prepare written reports, and issue notices and citations.

Additional job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform extensive property and ownership research, prepare casework, conduct onsite inspections, and perform field inspections
• Work closely with members of the OC District Attorney's office, OC Sheriff, County Counsel, and other departments and outside agencies to investigate and enforce code violations
• Participate in community outreach programs intended to educate the community regarding County of Orange services, as well as to promote property maintenance and preserve the neighborhoods that make up the unincorporated communities of the County of Orange

Minimum Qualifications and Core Competencies

The successful candidate will possess at least two years of experience inspecting and enforcing land zoning codes, nuisances, building grading, and/or property maintenance ordinances. Previous coursework or training related to the procedures of citation issuance is preferred, but not required.

License/Certification:

• California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Levels I, II, and III Certification (or its equivalent) and PC 832 Certification must be obtained prior to the completion of the probationary period
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment, and maintained throughout employment

In addition to the qualifications above, the most successful candidates will possess the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge:

• Ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in a technical area
• State and local regulations pertaining to land use, zoning, nuisance, property maintenance, and building safety
• Proven knowledge of the geography of the County's unincorporated areas, including locations and layout of streets
• Enforcement of codified ordinances and County policies and procedures
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Active Communication | Writing Skills:

• Ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge/skill in exchanging information clearly and concisely verbally, and in writing
• Communicate with property and business owners; persuade uncooperative individuals to comply with ordinances
• Confer with related agencies and County departments on the disposition of complaints and code violations
• Prepare and maintain concise, comprehensive records of inspections and enforcement of efforts, and reports of citations and violations
• Effective communication with other departments throughout the County and agencies outside the County

Customer Service:

• Ability to establish productive relationships with internal/external customers
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive or tense situations with tact and diplomacy
• Provide information to the general public and business community regarding codes, laws, and ordinances
• Respond effectively and accurately to general questions, complaints, and inquiries
• Conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance and excellent customer service
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in order to convey clear and concise information

Recruitment Process:

Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates who meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Structured Oral Interview (SOI) | (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Veterans Employment Preference: The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Code Enforcement Officer

Salary: $72,155.20 - $97,281.60 Annually

Location: Orange County

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Department: OC Public Works

Opening Date: 05/28/2026

Closing Date: 6/4/2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

Career Description

Code Enforcement Officer. Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. Open to the public. This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Code Enforcement Officer positions within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works' guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability. OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance & OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

OC Development Services oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County's unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations – all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

The opportunity: Be a part of a dynamic and innovative team as a Code Enforcement Officer for OC Public Works in OC Development Services. The Code Enforcement Officer will be responsible for performing field and office work in the investigation and enforcement of ordinances, codes, and related regulations pertaining to potential land use, zoning, building, grading, nuisance, and property maintenance violations; prepare written reports, and issue notices and citations.

Additional job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform extensive property and ownership research, prepare casework, conduct onsite inspections, and perform field inspections
• Work closely with members of the OC District Attorney's office, OC Sheriff, County Counsel, and other departments and outside agencies to investigate and enforce code violations
• Participate in community outreach programs intended to educate the community regarding County of Orange services, as well as to promote property maintenance and preserve the neighborhoods that make up the unincorporated communities of the County of Orange

Minimum Qualifications and Core Competencies

The successful candidate will possess at least two years of experience inspecting and enforcing land zoning codes, nuisances, building grading, and/or property maintenance ordinances. Previous coursework or training related to the procedures of citation issuance is preferred, but not required.

License/Certification:

• California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Levels I, II, and III Certification (or its equivalent) and PC 832 Certification must be obtained prior to the completion of the probationary period
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment, and maintained throughout employment

In addition to the qualifications above, the most successful candidates will possess the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge:

• Ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in a technical area
• State and local regulations pertaining to land use, zoning, nuisance, property maintenance, and building safety
• Proven knowledge of the geography of the County's unincorporated areas, including locations and layout of streets
• Enforcement of codified ordinances and County policies and procedures
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Active Communication | Writing Skills:

• Ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge/skill in exchanging information clearly and concisely verbally, and in writing
• Communicate with property and business owners; persuade uncooperative individuals to comply with ordinances
• Confer with related agencies and County departments on the disposition of complaints and code violations
• Prepare and maintain concise, comprehensive records of inspections and enforcement of efforts, and reports of citations and violations
• Effective communication with other departments throughout the County and agencies outside the County

Customer Service:

• Ability to establish productive relationships with internal/external customers
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive or tense situations with tact and diplomacy
• Provide information to the general public and business community regarding codes, laws, and ordinances
• Respond effectively and accurately to general questions, complaints, and inquiries
• Conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance and excellent customer service
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in order to convey clear and concise information

Recruitment Process:

Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates who meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Structured Oral Interview (SOI) | (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Veterans Employment Preference: The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

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