CODE ENFORCEMENT SURVEY RESULTS
The results of our Code Enforcement survey taken at the Fall, 2005 WACE conference are shown below. Thanks to all who participated in the survey. We had 66 individuals complete and turn in surveys. Any discrepancies between the actual numbers or percentages are due to the fact that while 66 surveys were turned in, some questions were left blank.
Job Description – How did your role match up?
Code Enforcement Officer (full-time)
Receives, investigates and resolves complaints, violations and issues related to land use, nuisances and other related ordinances; prepares and maintains a wide variety of documents, reports and records; prepares and implements code enforcement policies and procedures; performs substandard housing inspections; works with other city/county agencies and departments to coordinate activities and resolve issues; develops educational processes and tools to educate members of the public, staff and others; assists in the writing of code amendments and/or new ordinances; appears as witness in legal actions and works with legal counsel as needed; attends training/education seminars, assists in the development of code enforcement budgets.
This description is an excellent (90%) fit to my current duties: 42%
Good (80%) match: 42%
Fair 70%) match: 16%
Work for City: 66% Work for County: 34%
Length of Time in a Code Enforcement Role:
Under 3 Years: 22%
3 – 5 Years: 36%
6 – 10 Years: 19%
10+ Years: 15%
Position Reports to:
Building Dept.: 34%
Planning Dept: 42%
Public Works/Engr. Svcs./Other: 10%
2 Code Enf. Positions report into Police Depts.
It is difficult to draw any conclusions regarding the size of jurisdiction relative to the number of code enforcement officers. The size of jurisdiction is very broad – from city populations of 8,000 to 120,000. Most cities with populations of 25,000 have two code enforcement officers. About 40% of respondents have some type of administrative support (part-time, shared, or full-time).
Counties have the largest number of officers, due to the large geographic area they cover, vs population.
Code Enforcement Survey
Union Membership Required? Yes: 57% No: 40%
Is Position Exempt? (unpaid overtime) Yes: 9% No: 87% (are paid for O.T.)
Level of Education:
College Degree: 33% Some College: 19%
Two individuals have completed their Masters Degrees
Scheduled Work Hours:
75% of us work a “traditional” 8 hour day; 7:30 – 4:30, 8:00 – 5:00, Monday thru Friday
15% work some type of 4 X 10 shift
9% work “980” shifts
Current Salary: (closest match)
$17 - $20/hr ($3,000 - $3,500/mo) 12%
$21 - $23/hr ($3,700 - $4,000/mo) 27%
$24 - $26/hr ($4,200 - $4,500/mo) 15%
$27 - $29/hr ($4,700 - $5,000/mo) 19%
$30 - $32/hr ($5,200 - $5,600/mo) 12%
$33 - $35/hr ($5,700 - $6,000/mo) 4%
$36 - $38/hr ($6,200 - $6,500/mo) 4%
Two positions reported lower than the above range. (3%)
Two positions reported higher than the above range. (3%)
There was no consistent correlation between length of time in position and salary. For example, positions reporting at the low end of the scale (under $20/hr) ranged from less than 6 months in position to 9 years. The positions reporting at the higher end of the scale (over $33/hr) have been in their positions from 5 years to 20+ years. In addition, both lower and higher rates are reported for both City and County positions.