Job Description:
Vehicle Abatement Officer
Description
Description The final filing date is Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first. The City of Sunnyvale is hiring a Vehicle Abatement Officer! This is a regular full-time employment opportunity. Under supervision, this position responds to complaints from the public related to abandoned vehicles; enforces municipal and vehicle codes, parking regulations; maintains records; and performs other duties as assigned.
The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety will require a comprehensive background investigation.This is a regular full-time position in the Department of Public Safety. Under supervision, responds to complaints from the public related to abandoned vehicles; enforces municipal and vehicle codes, parking regulations; maintains records; and performs other duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSThe position of Vehicle Abatement Officer is a non-sworn classification responsible for enforcing parking regulations, identifying, marking and tagging abandoned vehicles, and arranging for their removal. The position is distinguished from Community Services Officer in that the latter provides assistance to sworn officers by performing a variety of low risk public safety functions.
Essential Job Functions(May include, but are not limited to the following):
- Locates, marks and tags vehicles which appear to be abandoned on either public or private property.
- Conducts follow-up inspections of all previously marked vehicles to determine if vehicle should be towed; arranges and oversees towing of all abandoned vehicles.
- Prepares and maintains daily activity log and all necessary reports; enforces parking regulations and issues citations.
- Acts as a liaison with tow companies and the public.
- Answers a wide variety of questions from the public regarding parking and related traffic laws, location of public buildings, parks and other points of interest; interacts with hostile and irate parking violators; responds to complaints from the public.
WORKING CONDITIONSPosition requires prolonged sitting, standing walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard or mobile data terminal. Near vision is required when writing reports and other documents, and far vision is required when in the field. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The job duties will expose the employee to the outdoors, which may include exposure to inclement weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, air contaminants and heavy traffic conditions. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience: The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A high school diploma or GED equivalent, AND
Six months of public contact experience.
Knowledge of:- Proper English grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- Basic computer skills.
Ability to:- Follow verbal and written instructions; tactfully communicate factual information regarding parking violations; act in a courteous and effective manner when dealing with the general public and/or irate parking violators.
- Observe and memorize names, places and incidents; read maps.
- Prepare and complete required forms, records of work, and reports describing activities, problems, incidents, and special circumstances.
- React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.
- Operate standard office equipment including copiers, calculators, personal computers and radio equipment.
- Take directions and work independently as needed; work within a chain-of-command system.
- Apply judgment, discretion and initiative in performing work of average complexity.
- Apply policies and procedures consistently and in accordance with available guidelines.
- Plan, organize, and prioritize work.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those that may not be supportive of the actions being taken.
- Provide excellent customer service to the public and City employees.
- Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Willingness to:- Wear and maintain a uniform which includes a bullet-proof vest.
- Complete required training, including training in the use of chemical agents for personal protection.
Licenses/Certificates:Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:- Ability to read and understand parking ordinances and code.
- Ability to convey meaning of parking ordinances to public.
- Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures.
Application and Selection ProcessAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESSThe application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.
Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the posting will close after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications or by Wednesday, July 22, 2026 by 5:00pm, whichever is first. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
EXAM PROCESS Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the
written examination process scheduled for July 29 and July 30 , 2026 . (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)
The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety will require a comprehensive background investigation. SELECTION PROCESS Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.
Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-person selection interview with the hiring department. Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association (For Full Time Positions)
SEA Benefits For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:
The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or
[email protected] .
Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association (For Full Time Positions)
SEA BenefitsSummary of Service Employees International Union, Local 521 (For Part Time Positions)
SEIU BenefitsNotice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations Closing Date/Time: 7/22/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Salary:
$35.24 - $44.97 Hourly