Career summary

Details for Parking Enforcement Workers


Description

Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or section of city to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.

Tasks

  • Patrol an assigned area by vehicle or on foot to ensure public compliance with existing parking ordinance.
  • Maintain close communications with dispatching personnel, using two-way radios or cell phones.
  • Write warnings and citations for illegally parked vehicles.
  • Mark tires of parked vehicles with chalk and record time of marking, and return at regular intervals to ensure that parking time limits are not exceeded.
  • Respond to and make radio dispatch calls regarding parking violations and complaints.
  • Train new or temporary staff.
  • Identify vehicles in violation of parking codes, checking with dispatchers when necessary to confirm identities or to determine whether vehicles need to be booted or towed.
  • Perform simple vehicle maintenance procedures, such as checking oil and gas, and report mechanical problems to supervisors.
  • Observe and report hazardous conditions, such as missing traffic signals or signs, and street markings that need to be repainted.
  • Investigate and answer complaints regarding contested parking citations, determining their validity and routing them appropriately.
  • Maintain assigned equipment and supplies, such as hand-held citation computers, citation books, rain gear, tire-marking chalk, and street cones.
  • Provide information to the public regarding parking regulations and facilities, and the location of streets, buildings and points of interest.
  • Appear in court at hearings regarding contested traffic citations.
  • Make arrangements for illegally parked or abandoned vehicles to be towed, and direct tow-truck drivers to the correct vehicles.
  • Perform traffic control duties such as setting up barricades and temporary signs, placing bags on parking meters to limit their use, or directing traffic.
  • Provide assistance to motorists needing help with problems, such as flat tires, keys locked in cars, or dead batteries.
  • Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using hand-held computers.
  • Collect coins deposited in meters.
  • Prepare and maintain required records, including logs of parking enforcement activities, and records of contested citations.
  • Locate lost, stolen, and counterfeit parking permits, and take necessary enforcement action.
  • Wind parking meter clocks.
  • Assign and review the work of subordinates.
  • Remove handbills within patrol areas.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Public Safety and Security -Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

None found.

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