Location
Description
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.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
- Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, and enforcement/inspection of local, state, and federal codes and regulations; ability to perform routine inspection, investigation, and enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances of an environmental, blight, zoning, housing, solid waste, building construction, land use, and sign enforcement nature; ability to perform routine arithmetic calculations.
- Writing Skills - Communicates clearly and professionally in writing, with a strong ability to document observations and conversations factually and objectively. They produce clear, concise, well-organized, and grammatically correct case notes, notices, and reports. They can adapt their writing for various audiences, including property owners, colleagues, and city leadership, and understand the importance of documentation in supporting enforcement decisions and legal processes.
- Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
- Conflict Management - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.
- Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
- Meeting Ethical Standards - When confronted with ethical dilemmas, act in a way that reflects relevant law, policy and procedures, agency values, and personal values.
- Multi-Tasking - Can effectively handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
- Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
- Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
- Political Acumen - Understands the community and organizational dynamics that impact enforcement decisions. Navigates sensitive situations with discretion, professionalism, and awareness of public and political implications.
Benefits
The City offers an outstanding benefits package that includes:
- Health Insurance: The City contributes the following amounts to employee health and welfare benefits:
- Employee only: $1,026
- Employee + 1 dependent: $2,049
- Employee + 2 or more dependents: $2,706
If employee declines all medical insurance with the City, employee may receive up to $450 cash in lieu per month. If employee participates in the cafeteria plan, but does not utilize the full benefit, employee will receive up to $450 “cash-back” per month. Any cash back will be paid to the employee in taxable compensation. Proof of medical insurance is required.
- Retirement: CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 for Classic members or 2.0% @ 62 for New PEPRA members. The City does not participate in Social Security. The City participates in Medicare.
- Vacation Accrual: 6.667 to 16.667 hours per month depending upon years of service.
- Sick Leave: Up to 8 hours per month.
- Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year.
- Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation.
- Life Insurance: City-paid $50,000 life policy.
- Educational Reimbursement: Up to $4,000 per employee per fiscal year.
- Long-term and Short-term Disability: Voluntary participation.
- Wellness: On-site bicycle lockers, and employee wellness activities such as workshops, fitness challenges, and informal meetings.
- Health & Fitness: Employees and eligible family members living in the same household may use the Silliman Activity & Family Aquatic Center free of charge. Additionally, employees and their eligible family members receive resident rates for class registration and facility rentals.
You may review the Newark Association of Miscellaneous Employees (NAME) MOU on our website for additional details.
The 2026 Employee Benefits Guide
Special Instructions
An application and resume must be submitted through CalOpps by February 2nd, 2026 at 6:00p.m. to be considered. The most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview and written assessment scheduled for the week of February, 9th, 2026. The department interview will be scheduled at a later date. The selected final candidate will be required to complete a background check, including fingerprinting, and a physical exam.
We will make reasonable efforts in all phases of the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at HR@Newarkca.gov for accommodation requests.
The City of Newark is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of any local, state, or federal protected class.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States. All new employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath.