Clerk III - Proactive Enforcement Investigator

Requisition ID: 44092 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Proactive Enforcement Investigator is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of Short-term Rental (STR) operators. This group initiates and executes all investigative casefiles received in the work unit. The work involves triaging public complaints received and proactively screening for possible bylaw non-compliance activity. The position plays a critical role in the escalation of enforcement issues by conducting licence audits, issuing violation tickets and warning letters, monitoring casefiles for compliance, and providing evidentiary packages to enforcement coordinators for review. The position participates in the final enforcement phase by providing key documents and information that is made public and used by Council, Legal Services and the Chief Licence Inspector.

The Proactive Enforcement Investigator reviews and evaluates various evidence to independently make recommendations for audits. The position collects statements, follows leads,  and dispatches Property Use Inspectors.

This position is required to interpret the approved use of a premise by researching a combination of City resources including, but not limited to: Tempest, PRISM, POSSE, VanMap, AMANDA and other shared directories within the City intranet. Proactive Enforcement Investigators utilize this research, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the Zoning and Development By-law, Building By-law, and Licence By-Law to make recommendations on enforcement activity.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Initiates, coordinates, and manages all investigative functions and casefiles.
• Conducts investigations to create a case for compliance outcomes that can lead to Council Hearings and/or to prosecution.  Develops and creates an investigative case by collecting evidence through regular investigative steps such as interviews, research of other violations, previous history, photo evidence, reviewing social media and conducting open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations for evidence and clues that support the investigation, etc.
• Compiles operator profiles that summarize advertised business activities and supplemental information about the property, owner, operator, and any infractions.
• Executes various administrative duties that lead to enforcement of the Licence by-law as it pertains to short-term rental operators and property managers associated to short-term rental regulations.
• Reviews licence audit documentation. Escalates complex cases or uncertain documentation to STR By-law Enforcement Coordinator for direction.
• Interviews and assists persons seeking information and explains and interprets departmental policies, rules and regulations where a variety of data must be obtained  to make necessary determinations on complaints and related matters.
• Corresponds with members of the public regarding various inquiries including those concerning by-laws, rules and regulations.
• Makes recommendations on escalated enforcement paths to the Bylaw Enforcement Coordinator, Manager and Chief Licence Inspector.
• Compiles information for evidentiary packages used during Business Licence Hearings and/or prosecution cases
• Reviews property information and refers operator case files with suspected zoning, building, property use or fire by-law violations to By-law Enforcement Coordinator with recommendation for Property Use inspections or other specific investigation.
• Completes detailed prosecution reports forms that outline operator infractions, either through a By-law Violation Notice (BVN), or a memo recommending long-form prosecution.
• Reviews BVN disputes and independently determines if fines are to be upheld or voided
• Runs summary reports on internal systems to discern relevant information.
• Responsible for all investigative and supporting administrative duties of bylaw enforcement including system data entry, preparing letters, tickets and orders, mailing all documents and communications tracking.
• Initiates, coordinates and executes undercover bookings where actual bookings are made using a credit card, meeting the illegal operator and staying at the illegal STR to collect evidence for prosecution purposes.
• Tracks the status of operator case files to ensure the integrity of program metrics.
• Updates internal systems to process applications and licence changes, adds investigation information to casefiles and other administrative duties.
• Responds to phone / email contact from 311 or the public. Deals with aggressive and difficult people in a firm, fair and impartial manner
• Provides detailed information on operator compliance, licensing, and enforcement to the public and to other departments.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

Completion of High School coursework, preferably supplemented by a completion of a Post Secondary Bylaw Enforcement and/or Investigative Skills Certificate, including a strong background and experience in enforcement investigations, bylaw enforcement, paralegal, Privacy legislation, conducting independent research that involves understanding, synthesizing, and presenting ambiguous pieces of information, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the bylaws, policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to all City operations.
• Working knowledge of POSSE, AMANDA, ServiceNow, Verint, VanMap, and Tempest would be considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of conducting  investigations and bylaw enforcement.
• Skilled in in working with other departments for collaborative work support for executing investigations and prosecution outcomes 
• Excellent communication skills in explaining, interpreting municipal bylaws and its compliance needs to the public
• Ability to exercise discretion on resource allocation of time and effort from other departments on knowing when to terminate or advance an investigation file
• Interpreting Bylaws, regulations and policies affecting the use and development of various properties.
• Ability to maintain complex records and to prepare narrative reports from such records.
• Adept with navigating digital channels and extracting relevant information.
• Ability to use creative research channels to source necessary information to meet a defined prosecution standard for evidence.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel to present information with clarity.
• Ability to work effectively with competing and changing priorities with frequent interruptions within a multiple task environment
• Ability to solve problems and perform duties consistently in accordance with prescribed policies and procedures.
• Ability to speak and write with professionalism and diplomacy when communicating with citizens about City regulations.
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Development, Buildings & Licensing (1250) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: July, 2025 

Position End Date: April 2027 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-017: $31.66 to $37.20 per hour

Number of Vacancies: 4

Application Close: June 29, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.