Licenses & Standards Inspector

Full Job Description

The Consumer Protection Division (CPD) is seeking community-minded problem solvers with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and excellent interpersonal skills for three (3) Licenses & Standards Inspector positions.

In this role, you’ll help protect Seattle’s residents and businesses by ensuring fair, consistent enforcement of city regulations across a variety of industries.

You’ll work both independently and collaboratively, engaging with business owners, consumers, and community partners to promote compliance through education and, when necessary, enforcement.

You don’t need a background in law enforcement — successful inspectors come from diverse professional fields including public administration, education, social services, customer service, business operations, and investigations.

If you’re adaptable, confident in the field, and committed to fairness and public service, we encourage you to apply.

This position involves extensive fieldwork and a varied schedule that includes nights, weekends, and holidays.

Why join us?

As a member of our team, you will:

• Serve on the front lines of consumer protection, ensuring fair, equitable, and consistent enforcement of City regulations.
• Conduct meaningful work that directly impacts business, workers, and residents across Seattle.
• Exercise professional judgment and autonomy while working both independently in the filed and collaboratively with a supportive team.

We offer:

• Flexible work schedule, including up to two telework days per week based on operational needs (after initial training 3-6 months).
• Opportunities for cross-training across multiple regulatory programs.
• Professional development and career growth within the City of Seattle.
• Generous benefits package.
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions.
• Free ORCA card for public transit.
• Potential relocation assistance.

ABOUT FAS

The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.

The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—overseeing the City's neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts.

No matter the need, FAS is here—at your service.

Requirements

• Conduct inspections and investigations across regulated industries, including short-term rentals, cannabis, taxis, transportation network companies, pawnshops, adult entertainment, and private property impounds.
• Inspect commercial weighing and measuring devices (fuel dispensers, retail scales, scanners) to ensure pricing accuracy and consumer protection.
• Evaluate business activities for compliance with licensing and tax regulations; take corrective action and issue citations when necessary.
• Educate business owners and the public about regulatory requirements to promote voluntary compliance.
• Prepare and present case reports, testify as a witness, and collaborate with the Law Department and other city agencies.
• Work independently in the field, often making time-sensitive decisions with minimal supervision.
• Participate in nighttime and weekend enforcement operations, including events, entertainment venues, and nightlife establishments.

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants from a variety of professional backgrounds – particularly those with experience in roles that combine public interactive, problem-solving, independent decision-making, or regulatory responsibility.

Candidates who have worked incompliance, auditing, investigations, safety, or customer service often excel in this position.

You’ll be successful in this role if you:

• Are comfortable making informed decisions in dynamic field environments with limited supervision.
• Can de-escalate tense situations and communicate clearly and respectfully with the public.
• Balance education and enforcement to achieve compliance.
• Demonstrate professionalism, fairness, and sound judgment under pressure.
• Take pride in helping ensure a fair and safe business environment for all.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience involving interpretation, investigation, and application of business or regulatory codes or other fields directly related to code compliance.
• Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

License, Certification and Other Requirements:

• Current Washington States driver’s license.
• Special Police Commission.

The most successful candidates will possess the following:

• Demonstrated commitment to the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) – to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity in Seattle.
• Experience working in code enforcement, legal analysis, investigation, or a similar role requiring strong research and analytical skills and public interaction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Experience reading, analyzing, and interpreting complex laws and regulatory policies.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing work conditions and priorities.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively deal with difficult and aggressive people in industry and the public.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments concurrently and meet frequent deadlines.
• Strong team orientation coupled with the ability to work well independently.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access).

Work Environment

• During training and onboarding, this position requires five days per week of onsite work. After successfully completing the training program, this position may be eligible to move to a minimum of three days per week of onsite work.
• Overtime work may be required based on business needs.
• Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with City policies.

Physical Demand

• Inspectors drive special purpose trucks in heavy traffic on downtown city streets and must be able to lift and use test weights and measures weighing up to 50 pounds and push a cart loaded with up to 500 pounds of test weights.
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extensive periods of time.
• Required to walk and drive in all types of weather.
• Requires working with the public in potentially hazardous/abusive situations.
• May require working around hazardous/toxic chemicals.
• Depending on the shift and planned duties, the Inspector may work alone, in pairs, or on teams with other Inspectors.
• Requires to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Information

This position is classified as a Licenses & Standards Inspector. It is Civil Service represented, FLSA non-exempt and is eligible for overtime. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $46.23 - $53.95 per hour.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Special Police Commission Eligibility

Employment is contingent on completing and passing the ESoph electronic background investigation process administered by the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

Licenses & Standards Inspectors are granted a Special Police Commission if they are determined to meet minimum SPD standards and must maintain the commission through an annual review process.

For more information on SPD background eligibility requirements go to: https://www.seattle.gov/police/police-jobs/how-to-apply/qualifications#entrylevel

Pre-Employment Physical: Successful candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment physical.

Driving Record: A current, “FULL” driving abstract from the Department of Licensing is required to be submitted upon offer of employment.

Candidates with driving history that does not meet our current safety standards will be disqualified from consideration.

Current City of Seattle Employees in a driving position may be required to submit an updated abstract.

Why work at the City of Seattle?The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism.

Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same.

To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.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

Who May Apply: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.

The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at Finance and Administrative Services, please send an email to Chantelle.Aguilar@seattle.gov.

FAS promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION:

Many important notifications including interview or test invitations, result notices, and status updates will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.

It is important that you provide a valid email address.

Please add Chantelle.Aguilar@seattle.govto your email address book and to the list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

Candidates can also check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing their profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.

It is the applicant's responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.