We seek an Enforcement Assistant to provide support for the enhanced burn ban enforcement program as part of the attainment effort in Tacoma/Pierce County.  Currently, part of Pierce County does not meet the national health-based fine particle ambient air quality standard (referred to as the nonattainment area). The Agency calls burn bans during the winter season when there are air inversions that cause unhealthy levels of particulate emissions (primarily from wood burning stoves and fireplaces).  During these burn bans, the Agency deploys inspectors to patrol compliance with burn bans and document violations. The Agency has developed an “enhanced” burn ban enforcement program that has greatly increased the number of field staff that patrol in the nonattainment area.  As a result, the Agency has, and is likely to continue to process an increased number of citations and is seeking additional support for this work. 

The Enforcement Assistant position will report to the Supervising Inspector (Attainment). The Enforcement Assistant position will be based in the agency’s office and may travel to Tacoma and Pierce County occasionally.

This is a unique opportunity to use your exceptional high level administrative support skills to help clean the air. The position responsibilities include the following:

- Reviewing and preparing supporting documentation for enforcement cases, such as reports, correspondence and evidence;
- Making enforcement recommendations to the Supervising Inspector;
- Sending citations, educational and/or instructional material to violators, as appropriate; and
- Providing support for the Supervising Inspector as needed with arranging mitigation meetings, preparing field staff training materials/handouts and contacting violators to provide or obtain information.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is a regional clean air government agency that works to protect the health of the 3.7 million people living and working in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Our staff of 70 people includes air quality planners, engineers, inspectors, meteorologists, technicians, project managers and communicators, as well as computer services, human resources, legal, records management, accounting and administrative staff. We are governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from the four counties and the largest city in each county, as well as one member representing the public at large.

In recognition of the potentially limited timeframe of the current funding for the Tacoma/ Pierce attainment efforts, this position is a 1 year term position that can be renewed at the Agency’s option.

The specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Review and prepare burn ban enforcement cases by:

• Performing a search of addresses to see if there is any compliance history
• Performing a search to obtain property owner information/tenant information
• Assigning Agency case numbers
• Ensuring photos are included
• Performing a search for certified stove exemptions
• Performing a search for only adequate source of heat exemptions
• Data enter results of searches
• Identifying information or cases to forward to wood stove change out program
• Identifying cases where enforcement action may be limited to sending educational information
• Making recommendations for enforcement actions to Supervising Inspector
• Tracking progress of enforcement cases

Other duties include:

- Assist Supervising Inspector with database development.
- Prepare field staff training materials.
- Assist with tracking and meeting terms of interlocal agreements.
- Communicate with persons who receive notices of violation, scheduling meetings, etc.
- Data entry and processing of No Other Adequate Source of Heat Exemption applications.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• English grammar, spelling and punctuation used in business;
• Office and clerical practices and procedures, including filing procedures;
• Microsoft Office suite of products, e-mail software, and on-line computer services and databases;
• Agency regulations, policies and procedures related to compliance programs (desirable).
Required Abilities
• Use advanced word processing skills and Microsoft Office suite of products proficiently (Word for Windows desirable);
• Enter data into existing databases and spreadsheets with accuracy and attention to detail, and manage and maintain such data (Excel and Access desirable);
• Work with electronic records and data files, including file transfer to and from internet sources and e-mail;
• Prepare civil penalty documents, including researching information in penalties, citing correct agency regulations, drafting penalty descriptions, and preparing documents for mailing;
• Interact and communicate effectively with Agency employees and the public, including a strong customer service orientation with staff, other agencies, and the public;
• Use good judgment and maintain confidentiality;
• Manage paper flow, multiple priorities and varied complex tasks effectively and efficiently with attention to deadlines and accuracy; and
• Physically perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Education and Experience:

Candidates may have any combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job, such as:

Education:  High school degree and college level coursework in areas such as legal, word processing or office administration

Experience:  Three years of varied administrative experience, including word processing, data entry and one or more of the following: program coordination, applications processing (e.g. insurance claims processing) or executive secretarial work.

To apply, please email your letter of interest and resume by clicking on the Apply button below.