Parking Enforcement Officers

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

Parking enforcement officers monitor vehicles parked in:

• Metered spaces
• Limited-time spaces
• Parking lots
• Permit zones

Parking enforcement officers write tickets for vehicle owners who have broken parking rules. They record information about the vehicle, such as make, model, and year. They also record the location of the parking space and the time and date of the parking violation. Once they record the information, officers leave a copy of the ticket for the owner of the car. They notify the municipal court.

Parking enforcement officers usually work in busy, downtown areas where parking is limited. They monitor parking areas on foot or by driving around in special carts. They keep track of broken parking meters and missing traffic signals and signs. They report these findings to their supervisors.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Baggage Porters and Bellhops
• Bailiffs
• Couriers and Messengers
• Life Guards and Ski Patrollers
• Mail Carriers
• Meter Readers
• Parking Lot Attendants
• School Bus Drivers
• Security Guards
• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to parking enforcement officers.

• Patrol assigned area by vehicle or foot.
• Communicate with dispatchers via cell phone or two-way radio.
• Make chalk marks on tires of cars parked at limited-time spaces.
• Write tickets for cars parked too long at limited-time spaces or for cars with expired meters.
• Use handheld computers to fill out tickets and record important information.
• Check cars parked at timed-meter spaces.
• Check chalk-marked cars at regular intervals to make sure they are not parked over time limits.
• Respond to complaints.
• Report damaged meters and missing traffic signals or signs to supervisor.
• Walk or drive around parking areas.
• Collect coins deposited in meters.

Common work activities

Parking enforcement officers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Perform for or work with the public
• Process information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Assist and care for others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Teach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Control machines and processes
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Use computers
• Analyze data or information
• Schedule work and activities
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Think creatively
• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Coach others
• Develop goals and strategies

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, parking enforcement officers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are often placed in conflict situations in which people might be unpleasant or angry.
• Have a medium level of social interaction.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Communicate on a weekly basis by telephone and in person.
• May work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Usually wear a special uniform.
• Often work outdoors.
• Usually drive an enclosed vehicle to monitor parked cars.
• Are sometimes exposed to extreme weather conditions when working outdoors.
• May share work space with others, such as when doing paperwork at the end of a day.

Work performance

• Repeat the same physical activities, such as bending to mark car tires or see parking meters.
• Make decisions that affect others on a daily basis. They often act without consulting a supervisor.
• Must be sure that the job is done completely and accurately.
• Determine most of their daily tasks and goals independently. They do sometimes get direction from a supervisor.

Hours/travel

• Usually work regular business hours.
• May work Saturdays.

Physical demands

Parking enforcement officers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for parking enforcement officers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for parking enforcement officers to be able to:

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

Skills and abilities

Parking enforcement officers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Law Enforcement and Police Science
• Security Studies

Training

To work as a parking enforcement officer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

On-the-job training

Parking enforcement officers learn their skills on the job by working with an experienced officer. Training may last up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Community Protection
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer parking enforcement officers to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers often recruit from police academies. They look for students who have completed a 12- to 14-week training session and are familiar with parking laws and rules. Employers prefer officers who are accurate in their work and who have a neat and professional appearance.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Parking Enforcement Workers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country.

Parking enforcement officers who work for city governments may receive benefits such as paid holidays, vacations, and retirement plans.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local government agencies
• Colleges and universities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will decline sharply. Most cities have problems with limited parking. Thus, city governments may use parking enforcement officers to monitor this problem. Job openings will occur as current workers retire or leave this occupation. However, this is a very small occupation so few job openings are expected.

Other resources

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Parking Enforcement Workers (33-3041.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupation

• Parking Enforcement Officer (375.587-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled