City of Federal Way settles into summer with zero code compliance officers

Published 9:30 am Friday, July 15, 2016

During one of the busiest times of the year, the city of Federal Way will be out their last code compliance officer by the end of the month.

Code compliance officers are responsible for enforcing land use and building code provisions to control illegal and/or nuisance throughout the city, such as graffiti, obtrusive signs, trash, junk and junk vehicles.

“With nearly 350 staff members, vacancies are something that we continually deal with,” said city spokeswoman Cathy Schrock. “This is not highly unusual.”

Schrock said the code compliance office is managed by building official Scott Sproul, who is also the acting director of the Community Development department since Michael Morales’ termination in April. The code compliance office is part of the Community Development department.

“With any department that experiences a reduction in staffing, the needs of the community and the city will be prioritized,” Schrock said in an email, noting that those priorities are under review within the department and the mayor’s office. “There are several options available to managers when evaluating resources (i.e. temporary help, utilize other staff members within the department to assist, etc.).”

Of the three open positions, Schrock said one officer left for a job in Wenatchee and another was terminated for misconduct. The most recent resignee, who will leave July 29, has plans to work in Seattle. 

“We have initiated a recruitment and selection process to replace these positions,” Schrock said.

Since the first position opened in June, the city has already begun the recruitment process and will hire the best from that pool of candidates.

“It’s very possible we’ll be hiring someone within at least 30 days,” Schrock said.

City officials say the code compliance office’s turnover doesn’t seem to be a systemic issue.

“All of the indications I’ve been given is this is just happenstance, not an indicator of a bigger problem,” Schrock said, noting that some of the officers were with the city for “a very long time.”

In addition to the turnover of “high profile” positions like the Community Development director, Federal Way’s city attorney position also recently became vacant.

For more information on the available city positions, visit www.ci.federal-way.wa.us/content/employment-0.