Parking Enforcement Officer

About the role

The Seattle Police Department is recruiting highly motivated, positive, people-oriented candidates for our technology-driven work environment. Parking Enforcement Officers are represented by the Seattle Parking Enforcement Officers Guild (SPEOG). The memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and SPEOG is a seniority-based agreement, with shift selection and vacation days determined by seniority in unit and classification.

Responsibilities

• Enhance and maintain good public relations and customer service while taking enforcement actions.
• Patrol an assigned district of the city on foot or in a four-wheel vehicle, three-wheeled motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle type, issuing citations and warnings for ordinance violations.
• Independently plan and organize work to effectively react to changing priorities during the day.
• Investigate suspected abandoned vehicles and take appropriate action for removal.
• Cite vehicles to clear streets during designated peak hours to ensure traffic flow during rush hour.
• Document citations and daily activities in a computerized handheld ticket device and on manual reports.
• Perform queries for law enforcement information using secure computer systems.
• Respond to subpoenas and testify in court regarding issued citations.
• Report unlawful activity, malfunctioning traffic signals, missing or damaged regulatory signs, and defective parking devices.
• Monitor police radio activity and respond to requests for assistance.
• Direct traffic in situations requiring the City’s response, such as special events, sporting events, natural disasters, and traffic accidents.
• Respond to medical emergencies with CPR and AED capabilities.
• Provide assistance to lost or stranded residents or tourists with directions.

Requirements

• One year of experience in public contact work.
• Pass a Seattle Police Department competitive background investigation including driving record, criminal history, drug history, financial history, and reference checks.
• Current State of Washington driver’s license.
• Pass medical examination by a city-approved doctor.
• Pass the eight-week unit training program.
• Ability to work hours including weekends and evening shifts, mandatory overtime including holidays on short notice, subject to the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and SPEOG.
• Pass and maintain annual defensive driving certification for fleet vehicles.

Qualifications

Most competitive candidates will have:

• Three or more years of experience in public contact work, including direct contact with difficult, angry, or hostile citizens.
• Desire and experience communicating effectively and working effectively within a multi-cultural organization and serving a diverse customer base with outstanding customer service.
• Demonstrated experience using mediation and negotiation skills to deal with angry and hostile individuals while performing job duties.
• One year of experience with Android-based handheld devices.
• Familiarity with the geography of Seattle for daily patrol activities or giving directions.
• Demonstrated experience working independently to successfully complete job duties.
• Ability to work well under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to deal with the public and maintain a calm demeanor.
• Proficiency in Windows-based computer systems including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Bilingual language skills a plus.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Field-based operational position assigned to a geographic area within the city limits of Seattle.
• Work outdoors in inclement weather, exposure to automobile fumes, hazardous chemicals, and vehicular traffic.
• Work with diverse, sometimes difficult customers to gain compliance with Seattle parking ordinances.
• Physical ability to spend up to 100% of a scheduled shift on foot and walk approximately 7 miles per day.
• Exposure to inclement weather and potentially hostile individuals.
• Required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to heavy traffic.
• Required to work overtime subject to the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and SPEOG.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
• $624 annual uniform allowance.
• New employees receive a uniform reimbursement of $312 after the first six months of employment and the remaining $312 after twelve months of employment.

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $32.53 – $37.18 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $32.53 hourly.

Schedule

Parking enforcement shifts may be scheduled 24/7 throughout the calendar year. New hires may be required to work a swing shift or graveyard shift, and work may be scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Mandatory overtime is subject to the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and SPEOG.