Senior Planner/Code Writer (Planner 3)
Pierce County
FreshPosted Feb 4
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: February 6, 2026 (1 day ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Code Enforcement Officer II
King County
DLS - Dept. of Local Services
Location
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Salary
$50.47 - $63.98
per hour
Type
Closes
February 23, 2026
SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves investigating reports of building and land use violations in unincorporated King County areas, working with property owners and officials to bring properties into compliance with regulations, and handling everything from site inspections to public meetings.
A good fit would be someone detail-oriented with strong communication skills who enjoys problem-solving in a community-focused role and can stay calm during tense situations.
The position supports equity and social justice by ensuring fair enforcement across diverse populations.
Key Requirements
- Experience in code enforcement, investigations, or related field (professional level)
- Strong communication skills for interacting with diverse populations, including property owners, contractors, and officials
- Ability to conduct site inspections, property research, and assess violations
- Excellent record-keeping and attention to detail for reports, evidence, and legal notices
- Familiarity with legal processes, zoning history, and coordination with attorneys
- Skill in remaining calm under pressure and representing the county at hearings and meetings
- Commitment to applying equity, racial, and social justice principles in daily work
Full Job Description
King County's Department of Local Services (DLS), Permitting Division is accepting applications for the career-service position of Code Enforcement Officer II.
The person in this role will perform professional level code enforcement. The work will involve investigating alleged and reported violations of a wide array of land use and building regulations.
The job requires daily contact with property owners, contractors and other King County and Washington State departments with the objective of causing buildings and properties to be brought into compliance with applicable codes.
The Code Enforcement Officer II conducts meetings to evaluate and resolve code enforcement violations, represents the County at public hearings and neighborhood meetings, performs site inspections, researches property zoning and history, coordinates with the department’s attorneys, and prepares reports and legal notices.
The job requires excellent record-keeping skills and attention to detail; advanced communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; familiarity with certain legal processes; and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
About the Department of Local Services:King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state.
The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions.
Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike
Requirements
Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
- Responds to complainants, opens cases, and review on-line complaints for completeness.
- Investigate reports of building, zoning, housing, grading, clearing and critical-area violations, including property research, site inspections, assessment of violations, interviews of involved parties, and making written and photographic records for evidence in hearings and trials.
- Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
- Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, and the Department.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
- Post notices for work stoppage, vacation of dangerous buildings, and public hazards.
- Prepare correspondence to advise property owners of violations and steps needed to correct them.
- Conduct regular inspections of properties where violations exist, monitor progress toward compliance, make record of progress, and assess penalties as required to secure compliance.
- Prepare inspection reports and maintain case records.
- Research zoning and history of properties to determine ownership, improvements, permitted and pre-existing conditions.
- Research and identify the presence of critical areas such as aquatic, wetlands and steep slopes.
- Occasionally testify on behalf of the department and the County in certain hearings and legal proceedings.
- Prepare written responses to inquiries from the public, King County Ombudsman, Metropolitan King County Council, County departments and citizen groups.
- Research, prepare and represent the County at public hearings and other meetings.
- Prepare cases to be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s for further action.
- Respond to requests for public disclosures and public information requests.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Values
- Serve with integrity.
- Show initiative and work hard.
- Prioritize outcomes over optics.
- Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
- Sove problems with a “yes, and” mindset
- Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Experience in basic Code Enforcement practices.
- Graduation from high school or GED as well as applicable work experience which includes, but is not limited to, construction, inspection, investigation, and code compliance.
- Experience with enforcement of zoning, building, housing, shorelines and environmental codes.
- Demonstrated experience in basic evidentiary requirements and basic grading, building and development practices.
- Skill in reading and interpreting codes, building plans and plat maps.
- Skill in researching property features, zoning, ownership, history, and legal descriptions.
- Skill in performing inspections and preparing reports.
- Experience providing excellent customer service, including working with inexperienced customers and solving issues while maintaining positive customer relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to use standard office equipment and intermediate skill using Microsoft Office Products including Excel, Work, and Outlook.
- Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including public presentations.
- Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
- Must have demonstrated punctuality, dependability, and good attendance in previous job experience.
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of King County zoning, building, housing, shorelines, and environmental codes.
- International Code Council (ICC) Code Enforcement certification
Requirements:
- An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
- Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license.
- Must operate a motor vehicle safely throughout the County.
- Must be able to traverse difficult terrain in any weather condition.
- Must be able to use office equipment and software.
Additional Information
Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview the week of March 2, 2026.
If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual/in-person interview the week of March 9. 2026.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months, including career service, short-term temporary (STT), term-limited temporary (TLT) and/or special duty assignment (SDA) opportunities.
First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness.
Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted. For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf
Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval
Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:
Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.
For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
Union Membership: PROTEC17
TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT:We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.
The responsibilities of this position include regular and ongoing in-office work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday involving in person customer service in accordance with the division's available customer service options.
Work Location:
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Your primary onsite workspace will be at 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton, WA 98057.
Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply:If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Sonali Sharma, HR Analyst, by email at sonsharma@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-492-6237.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes