Community Preservation Specialist I​/II

The City of Newark is hiring a
Community Preservation Specialist I/II
. This role is essential to protecting the health, safety, and quality of life in our community. Working under general supervision, the Specialist enforces City codes related to health and safety, nuisance abatement, housing, and zoning. The position combines investigative work with public education and involves frequent interaction with property owners, businesses, community organizations, and residents.

Community Preservation Specialist I is an entry-level role focused on enforcing City ordinances and abating nuisance conditions. Under close supervision, incumbents learn City systems, procedures, and practices, gradually taking on more varied duties with increased independence. While they may perform many tasks similar to a Community Preservation Specialist II, they work at a developing skill level and exercise less independent judgment and discretion.

Community Preservation Specialist II is a journey-level role responsible for performing the full range of duties independently, with judgment and initiative. Incumbents receive minimal supervision, are fully knowledgeable of unit procedures and policies, provide training and technical support to Community Preservation Specialist I staff, and may serve in a lead role over entry-level personnel.

In these positions, you will:

• Advise property owners, businesses, and residents on City code requirements and compliance.
• Educate the public and professional groups on code regulations to encourage voluntary compliance.
• Investigate complaints from City staff, the public, and officials regarding zoning or nuisance issues such as signs, fences, rental housing, home occupations, vehicle storage, trash accumulation, noise, and odors.
• Conduct field inspections to ensure compliance, providing clear guidance on corrective actions when necessary.
• Prepare notices, correspondence, and detailed reports documenting investigations.
• Represent the City in court proceedings, hearings, and other official forums.
• Manage difficult and confrontational situations with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Provide lead direction and review the work of assigned clerical staff or coworkers, as needed.

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, and one (1) year of experience serving the public in enforcement, inspection or investigation of local, state, or federal codes and/or regulations in areas such as housing, building, zoning, environmental, vehicle and penal codes, or a similar field.

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, and two (2) years of experience performing code enforcement for a public agency at the level equivalent to a Community Preservation Specialist I with the City of Newark.

Bilingual skills are desirable.

Possession of a valid driver license and a satisfactory driving record throughout employment.

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The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, and enforcement/inspection of local, state, and federal codes and regulations; ability to perform routine inspection, investigation, and enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances of an environmental, blight, zoning, housing, solid waste, building construction, land use, and sign enforcement nature; ability to perform routine arithmetic calculations.
• Writing Skills - Communicates clearly and professionally in writing, with a strong ability to document observations and conversations factually and objectively. They produce clear, concise, well-organized, and grammatically correct case notes, notices, and reports. They can adapt their writing for various audiences, including property owners, colleagues, and city leadership, and understand the importance of documentation in supporting enforcement decisions and legal processes.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Conflict Management
  - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.
• Customer Service
  - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently…