Code Compliance Supervisor

Full Job Description

The City of Tacoma’s Planning & Development Services Department (PDS) is seeking an experienced and collaborative professional to serve as a Code Compliance Supervisor within the Regulatory Compliance group.

This position supervises a team responsible for investigating and resolving complaints related to nuisance conditions, derelict and substandard buildings, vegetation obstructions, commercial noise, and other violations of the Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC).

The Code Compliance Supervisor ensures enforcement activities are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with due-process requirements.

The supervisor provides leadership, technical guidance, and operational oversight to Code Compliance Inspectors conducting complaint-driven investigations throughout the City.

The role includes case review and quality control, staff coaching and performance management, coordination of complex enforcement cases, and collaboration with other City departments and external agencies.

Tacoma’s Code Compliance program emphasizes education-first enforcement, prioritizing voluntary compliance and clear communication with property owners and community members before escalation to formal enforcement measures.

The Code Compliance Supervisor plays a critical role in maintaining consistent enforcement standards, ensuring accurate documentation, and supporting inspectors through complex or high-conflict cases.

This position requires strong leadership, sound regulatory judgment, and the ability to balance problem-solving, community engagement, and enforcement responsibilities while supporting a professional and accountable team environment.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who:

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of municipal code enforcement practices, investigative procedures, and administrative enforcement processes.
• Has experience supervising field staff and maintaining consistent expectations around case management, documentation, and customer service.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with property owners, tenants, contractors, community members, and City staff.
• Balances an education-first approach to compliance with appropriate enforcement actions when voluntary compliance is not achieved.
• Maintains strong organizational skills and attention to detail when reviewing case records and enforcement documentation.
• Demonstrates sound judgment when addressing complex, sensitive, or high-visibility enforcement matters.
• Promotes a respectful and collaborative team culture that emphasizes accountability, professionalism, and equitable enforcement practices.

Essential Duties:

• Supervise, coach, and provide work direction to Code Compliance Inspectors and assigned staff.
• Assign and monitor enforcement cases to ensure equitable workload distribution and timely case resolution.
• Oversee investigations of complaints related to nuisance conditions, substandard or derelict structures, vegetation obstructions, noise violations, and other Tacoma Municipal Code violations.
• Ensure enforcement activities follow appropriate administrative procedures, including voluntary compliance notices, notices of violation, compliance orders, and penalty processes.
• Provide guidance to inspectors on complex or sensitive enforcement cases, including derelict property determinations and escalated enforcement actions.
• Conduct quality control reviews of enforcement cases to ensure accurate documentation, including inspection notes, photographs, and code citations.
• Ensure staff maintain thorough and defensible records to support enforcement actions and potential appeals.
• Assist in preparing documentation and supporting inspectors in hearings before the Hearing Examiner or other legal proceedings when required.
• Coordinate enforcement activities with internal City departments, including Planning, Environmental Services, Public Works, Tacoma Fire, and Tacoma Police, as well as external agencies when appropriate.
• Ensure inspectors conduct investigations consistent with constitutional requirements, including restrictions on entry onto private property without consent.
• Monitor case timelines and program performance to ensure inspections, follow-ups, and enforcement actions occur within established program standards.
• Respond to complex inquiries or complaints from property owners, community members, and elected officials regarding enforcement actions.
• Promote voluntary compliance through education and constructive engagement with property owners and community stakeholders.
• Participate in program improvement initiatives, policy development, and operational planning within the Regulatory Compliance division.
• Attend meetings and represent the City as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Position requires climbing and crawling.
• Work includes indoor and outdoor environment; subject to traveling from site to site and adverse weather conditions.
• Incumbents may be exposed to potentially hazardous material and heights and subject to moving around in and through construction sites at various stages of completion.

Requirements

An equivalent combination of education and experience such as:

Graduation from high school or equivalent

AND

Five years of experience in code enforcement, regulatory compliance, building inspection, planning, housing inspection, or a closely related field

INCLUDING

Two years of lead or supervisory experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State driver's license and ICBO certified as a Building Inspector.

Qualifications

• Municipal code enforcement practices and procedures
• Property maintenance and nuisance regulations
• Investigative techniques and compliance monitoring
• Administrative enforcement processes and due-process requirements
• Principles of supervision, training, and staff development
• Conflict resolution and professional communication practices
• Recordkeeping and documentation standards for regulatory enforcement

Ability to:

• Supervise and support field inspection staff
• Investigate complaints and determine appropriate enforcement actions
• Interpret and explain municipal codes and regulations
• Communicate effectively with property owners, tenants, and the public
• Maintain accurate enforcement records and prepare reports
• Analyze complex situations and develop appropriate solutions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Additional Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Examination Process:

This is a competitive selection process.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their job application and responses to Supplemental Questions #7-11 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test.

Those who pass with a minimum score of 70% or higher will be placed on an Eligible List for a period of one year, and eligible for interview selection and invitation.

The interview process may include a combination of verbal interview and practical skill assessments.

Applicants who pass the test will be placed on an Eligible List for potential interview and hiring consideration.

The Eligible List established for this position will be used to fill vacancies and provide set-ups for one year.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 17. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve.

We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.

Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation.

If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience.

We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia.

The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States.

Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country.

The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area.

Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $49.72 - $60.45

Annual Salary: $103,417.60 - $125,736.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma