ABOUT THE POSITION
NOTE: Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration.
The Parking Enforcement Officer position is a non-sworn position staffed by employees who wear a uniform and badge but do not carry weapons. Incumbents are responsible for explaining and enforcing provisions of the California Vehicle Code and local traffic codes related to the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and parking regulations. The position patrols assigned areas to enforce parking laws and ordinance and issues parking citations.
The position of Parking Enforcement Officer will be assigned to the Field Operations Division, which operates 24 hours/7 days per week. Full-time weekly work schedules consist of four (4) - 10 hour shifts. Qualified applicants must be available to work a flexible schedule which may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, including holidays.
This recruitment is to establish an Eligibility List of qualified candidates to fill one (1) anticipated full-time vacancy in the Police Department. The Eligibility List may be utilized to fill other full and part-time vacancies as needed. Generally, a valid Eligible List is in effect for up to one year, unless the List expires sooner.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification.
- Routinely patrol of restricted parking zones, streets, alleys and municipal parking lots.
- Mark illegally parked vehicles and issue citations and impound vehicles in violation of municipal code ordinances or vehicle code statutes.
- Prepare accurate written reports.
- Safely follow street sweeper.
- Communicate with dispatch via two-way police radio.
- Report hazardous street and traffic conditions.
- Read, learn, interpret, and explain related City codes, ordinances, and regulations to the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
- Work outdoors under minimal supervision.
- Operate a City vehicle.
- Adhere to City and department policies and procedures.
- Maintains daily records of activities, including number of citations issued, radio calls, activity and patrol time.
- Identifies vehicles that have been parked beyond the legal time limit.
- Writes and issues notices of violations for vehicles parked in an unsafe or illegal manner for all parking time zones.
- Provides information and gives directions to the public.
- Identifies and reports hazardous driving or parking conditions.
- Prepares brief reports describing unusual problems or incidents relating to parking
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:
Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
Education: High school graduate or equivalent.
Experience: Some experience as a Parking Enforcement Officer in a municipal setting or law enforcement experience effectively dealing with the public is highly desirable, but not required.
Knowledge of: California Vehicle Code, City of Downey street names, locations of public buildings, and recreational facilities, routes of travel, and other points of interest; basic recordkeeping methods and procedures; modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment.
Ability to: Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the performance of duties; interact tactfully and effectively with the public and display professional calm in potentially volatile situations; read and write reports of activities; work independently; exercise independent and sound judgment in evaluating situations and making quick, effective and reasonable decisions; learn and comply with police procedures and regulations; learn to operate related equipment, including police radio equipment.
Bilingual in Spanish or Asian languages desirable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
License Requirements: A valid California Class C Driver's License and acceptable driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment.
Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions: Work is performed indoors and outdoors in a variety of locations to include on-site work at incidents, in a vehicle and in the Police Department. When working outdoors, may be exposed to the elements; may work under damp conditions, in confined spaces; may work on slippery and uneven surfaces; crouch, sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, pull, reach, push, twist; may be exposed to dust, chemicals, solvents, paint, grease/oil, fumes, electrical and mechanical hazards, vehicular traffic, vibration and noise; meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, vision, hearing, dexterity and use of both hands and legs appropriate to the duties to be performed; the ability to lift up to 25 pounds as required to lift and position police barricades.
Shift Assignment: Must be available to work all assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Those applicants, who most closely match the desired qualifications, will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of:
Part I: Qualifying Written Examination (Pass/Fail) - Only those applicants who earn a qualifying score on the written examination will proceed to the appraisal examination (oral interview). NOTE: The City of Downey reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to continue in the recruitment process based on higher scores achieved on the written examination.
Part II: Appraisal Examination- Oral Interview (weighted 100%): Designed to assess the applicant's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.
Candidate(s) who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to a conditional offer of employment, a candidate will undergo a comprehensive background check that includes employment reference checks, criminal history check, fingerprinting with the California Department of Justice, a credit review, and a polygraph. A psychological examination and a job-related pre-placement medical examination, including a drug screen will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.
Qualifying veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive a passing score on an entrance examination shall be ranked in the top rank of any resulting eligibility list. The veteran's preference shall also apply to a widow or widower of a veteran or a spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran (Government Code § 18973.1).
