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The City of Newark is hiring a Community Preservation Specialist I/II. This role is essential to protecting the health, safety, and quality of life in our community. Working under general supervision, the Specialist enforces City codes related to health and safety, nuisance abatement, housing, and zoning. The position combines investigative work with public education and involves frequent interaction with property owners, businesses, community organizations, and residents.

Community Preservation Specialist I is an entry-level role focused on enforcing City ordinances and abating nuisance conditions. Under close supervision, incumbents learn City systems, procedures, and practices, gradually taking on more varied duties with increased independence. While they may perform many tasks similar to a Community Preservation Specialist II, they work at a developing skill level and exercise less independent judgment and discretion.

Community Preservation Specialist II is a journey-level role responsible for performing the full range of duties independently, with judgment and initiative. Incumbents receive minimal supervision, are fully knowledgeable of unit procedures and policies, provide training and technical support to Community Preservation Specialist I staff, and may serve in a lead role over entry-level personnel.

In these positions, you will:

• Advise property owners, businesses, and residents on City code requirements and compliance.

• Educates the public and professional groups on code regulations to encourage voluntary compliance.

• Investigates complaints from City staff, the public, and officials regarding zoning or nuisance issues such as signs, fences, rental housing, home occupations, vehicle storage, trash accumulation, noise, and odors.

• Conducts field inspections to ensure compliance, providing clear guidance on corrective actions when necessary.

• Prepares notices, correspondence, and detailed reports documenting investigations.

• Represents the City in court proceedings, hearings, and other official forums.

• Manages difficult and confrontational situations with professionalism and diplomacy.

• Provides lead direction and reviews the work of assigned clerical staff or coworkers, as needed.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Community Preservation Specialist I - Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, and one (1) year of experience serving the public in enforcement, inspection or investigation of local, state, or federal codes and/or regulations in areas such as housing, building, zoning, environmental, vehicle and penal codes, or a similar field.

Community Preservation Specialist II - Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, and two (2) years of experience performing code enforcement for a public agency at the level equivalent to a Community Preservation Specialist I with the City of Newark.

Bilingual skills are desirable.

License and Certificate:
Possession of a valid driver license and a satisfactory driving record throughout employment.

The City of Berkeley invites applications for the position of Housing Inspector II (Certified)! In this role, you will perform skilled inspection work with City residential housing inspection programs. You will independently perform the full scope of work in the investigation, reporting and follow-up of housing deficiencies to gain compliance with housing, building, zoning, fire, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and related codes and regulations.

Assignments are varied and generally require close interaction with the public, providing information and interpretation of applicable ordinances, codes and regulations. We'll expect you to exercise considerable independence and discretion in conducting inspections, resolving complaints and enforcing inspection results.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from high school and at least two years of full-time experience equivalent to Housing Inspector or Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Inspector for a public agency. 

Must possess:

• An International Code Council (ICC) OR California (CA) certification in Residential Building or Housing Inspection or in Code Enforcement; and
• ICC or CA Residential or Commercial Electrical Inspector certification and ICC or CA Residential or Commercial Plumbing Inspector certification, or equivalent ICC or CA Legacy Certification for either Combination Inspector or Combination Dwelling Inspector.

Other requirements: Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

In addition to the qualifications above, the ideal candidate will have effective and courteous communication skills in order to discuss housing violations, violation remedy and necessary inspections and fees and participate in depositions and court hearings as requested. The ideal candidate can support a work environment that highlights efficiency and team collaboration in a professional and friendly atmosphere for the inspectors and administrative staff.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit a completed application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.