Parking Enforcement Officer

Position Description:

The Seattle Police Department is recruiting highly motivated, positive, people-oriented candidates for our technology driven work environment.  If you have excellent public contact work experience, computer skills, can multi-task in a fast-paced environment and have a stable work history you might be interested in a career as a Parking Enforcement Officer.

Parking Enforcement Officers are represented by the Seattle Parking Enforcement Officers Guild (SPEOG). The memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and the SPEOG is a seniority-based agreement. The selection of enforcement shifts, and vacation days is conducted on a seniority in unit and classification basis. 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. Parking Enforcement Officers are required to work mandatory overtime subject to the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and SPEOG.

Position Responsibilities:

• Enhance/Maintain good public relations/customer service while taking enforcement actions.

• Patrol an assigned district of the City by foot or in a four-wheel vehicle, three-wheeled motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle type issuing citations and infractions for ordinance violations.

• Independently plan and organize work to respond to emergencies and priorities emerging during the day.

• Investigate suspected abandoned vehicles and take appropriate action for removal.

• Responsible for citing vehicles to clear streets during designated peak hours to ensure traffic flow during rush hour.

• Clearly document citations and daily activities in a computerized handheld ticket device and on manual reports.

• Perform queries for law enforcement information using 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 that require the City's response such as special events, sporting events, natural disasters, and traffic accidents.

• Respond to emergencies with CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) capabilities.

• Provide assistance to lost or stranded residents and/or tourists with directions.

Required Qualifications:

One (1) year of experience in public contact work.

Position Requirements:

• Pass a Seattle Police Department competitive background investigation that includes 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.

• First Aid certificate (within six months of hire).

• Work hours include weekends and evening shifts, including mandatory overtime including holiday 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.

Desired Qualification:

Most competitive candidates will have:

• Three or more years of experience in public contact work, which includes 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 working in an environment 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 spreadsheets, databases, and presentation such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

• Bilingual language skills a plus.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This is a 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 (potentially challenging individuals) 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.

• Normally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Exposed to heavy traffic.

About the Department:

The Seattle Police Department is comprised of approximately 1,600 dedicated law enforcement professionals all committed to creating and fostering a work environment that is collaborative, innovative, and leading the way in law enforcement principles and practices. Ours is a culture that encourages top performers to adhere to a standard of excellence in the identification of and resolution to complex challenges. At SPD we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.

Additional Information:

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.  More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

The full salary range for this position is $32.22 - $36.83 per hour.

New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $32.22 hourly.   Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) regular position with full benefits.  This is a Civil Service position eligible for overtime.

Parking Enforcement Officers will receive a $624 uniform allowance annually.  New employees will receive a uniform reimbursement of $312 after the first six (6) months of employment and the remaining $312 after twelve (12) months of employment.

Hiring Process Timeline (dates subject to change): 

• Parking Enforcement Division Entry Exam (90-minute multiple choice exam): May 25, 2024 (Conducted in person in Seattle, WA. There will be no make-up exam dates).

• Candidate Interviews (Microsoft Teams - requires audio/video): June 10, 2024 - June 14, 2024.

• PEO Physical Agility Test (conducted in person in Seattle, WA): June 22, 2024.

• eSOPH Entry Deadline: July 5, 2024 (online background profile entered by applicant).

• Background Check:  July 6, 2024 - August 31, 2024.

• Pre-employment Physical: to be completed before August 31, 2024.

• Class Start Date: September 11, 2024.

How to Apply:

Apply online at www.seattle.gov/jobs/. Job Number #: 2024-00576. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Tunkara at melissa.tunkara@seattle.gov.