Job Details

Job Title: Parking Enforcement Officer

The City of Santa Barbara Police Department is seeking a motivated Parking Enforcement Officer with a strong work ethic.

Under general supervision, incumbents will perform routine technical law enforcement duties related to parking enforcement and vehicle towing in a specialized City vehicle.

This position is responsible for patrolling restricted parking zones on assigned schedules and routes, marking vehicles and observing vehicles to ensure conformity with parking regulations. Incumbents issue citations and/or warnings for violations of parking ordinances and street storage complaints, communicate the purpose for enforcement action or warnings in a transparent manner to community members, and when reasonable, listen and respectfully respond to explanations provided for parking laws which have been violated.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Appear in court or submit declarations to provide factual information regarding contested citations or towed vehicles.
• Use State and department computerized information systems to investigate and locate vehicles belonging to non-paying habitual offenders of parking laws.
• Operate police radio to report collisions, respond to calls for service or to call for towing services.
• Run computer checks on suspicious or stored vehicles, report downed signs and complaints.
• Keep routine logs and statistics.
• File street storage reports with proper agencies and parties as necessary.
• Provide directions and information to the public and tourists.
• Aid in directing traffic as necessary.
• Perform other duties as required.

Note: Work schedule will include weekends and holidays on a rotating basis and may include evening hours.

Knowledge of: Basic grammar and proper spelling for completing warning notices, citations and reports.

Ability to: Follow written and oral instructions; multi-task; work independently with minimal supervision to perform a limited variety of regular assignments; deal tactfully with upset people; understand and be able to explain parking ordinances and departmental procedures to members of the public; learn the City layout, assigned schedules and routes; learn Police Department policies and procedures, parking restriction laws and appropriate citations or warnings; learn radio communication procedures; accurately record necessary information such as license plate, location, vehicle description, parts inventory, violation and penalty; effectively communicate with other city departments and employees; work effectively in a team environment; learn limited operation of department computer based information systems; learn to evaluate the validity of violator's excuses to determine if citations or warnings are warranted; testify in court regarding facts in contested citation and/or towed vehicle cases; and read, interpret and apply state and municipal ordinances governing vehicle towing. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

License Requirements: Applicants must possess a valid Class C California driver's license at the time of appointment. Applicants should have a good driving record with the DMV.

Physical Standards: Positions in this class require moderate physical work with frequent standing and walking, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 20 lbs., repetitive reaching and stooping to mark vehicles and prepare and place parking citations and street storage warning notices on windshields; field of vision to move quickly or direct traffic and avoid being hit by vehicles. Color vision is required for the position.

Job Conditions: Positions in this class may have periodic disagreeable working conditions including traffic noise, dirt, chalk, vehicle fumes, vibration of parking control vehicle and heat, cold and dampness from working in a variety of weather conditions.

Other Requirements: No history of personal or criminal conduct, which may affect suitability for employment.

The selection process may consist of the following:

1. Written Exam
2. Oral Interview(s)
3. Background - including DMV check
4. Polygraph
5. Psychological evaluation (written exam and clinical interview)
6. Pre-employment medical examination and drug screening

Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases. Candidates must qualify in all phases in order to be eligible for appointment.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Open & Continuous Recruitment: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

Disaster Services Assignments: As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.