Occupation · SOC 33-3041
Parking Enforcement Workers
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.
Median wage
$47,150
$35,410–$76,030
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
7,770
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordinationWritingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationComplex Problem SolvingOperation and ControlOperations MonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingLearning StrategiesEquipment MaintenanceSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsRepairingEquipment SelectionProgrammingTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisScienceInstallation
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingPsychologyForeign LanguageTransportationAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesCustomer and Personal ServiceSociology and AnthropologyPhysicsMedicine and DentistryAdministrativeTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingEngineering and TechnologyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyGeographyBiologyMechanicalPhilosophy and TheologyChemistryFine ArtsDesignBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingFood Production
Technology & tools
Complus Data Innovations FastTrackIntegrated Parking Solutions MAppMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareTicket issuing softwareVehicle information databasesWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProcessing InformationGetting InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAssisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentThinking CreativelyHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling Resources
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand-held citation computer — operate under direct supervision to enter and retrieve vehicle registration data during an assigned patrol shift.Assigned patrol area — follow a designated route on foot or by vehicle to identify potential parking violations under supervisor guidance.Parking warnings and citations — complete standard forms for illegally parked vehicles by referencing posted ordinance guidelines.Two-way radio — receive and respond to dispatch calls using basic radio protocol while under close supervisor oversight.Tire-marking chalk and street cones — carry, use, and return assigned equipment following established end-of-shift inventory procedures.Vehicle registration status — look up basic registration and identification information using department-approved database software with trainer assistance.Parking ordinance rules — read and interpret posted regulations to determine whether a vehicle is in violation at a single-block location.Daily supply checklist — verify assigned gear such as rain gear, citation books, and chalk before beginning patrol in compliance with departmental policy.Supervisor radio communications — relay accurate field observations to dispatching personnel using clear, concise language during routine patrol.Basic vehicle fluid levels — check oil and fuel on assigned patrol vehicle and report any irregularities to a supervisor before departing the yard.
developing
Hand-held citation computer — independently enter, retrieve, and cross-reference vehicle registration and violation history data across a multi-block patrol zone.Assigned patrol area — conduct systematic foot and vehicle patrols to monitor public compliance with parking ordinances with minimal supervisory direction.Parking citations and warnings — write accurate, legally sufficient citations for a range of violation types, applying local ordinance codes without reference assistance.Court hearing preparation — organize citation records and personal notes to support testimony at contested traffic citation hearings with routine supervision.Equipment maintenance schedule — inspect and clean hand-held computers, citation equipment, and safety gear on a recurring basis to ensure operational readiness.Dispatch radio calls — manage incoming and outgoing radio communications regarding parking violations and public complaints with appropriate urgency and accuracy.Vehicle registration database — query and interpret license plate, registration, and status records efficiently to resolve ambiguous or partially visible plate information.Complaint resolution — apply social perceptiveness and active listening skills to de-escalate citizen disputes about citations in the field.Time management — prioritize patrol coverage across high-violation zones during peak hours to maximize compliance within a defined shift window.Mechanical problem reporting — perform routine vehicle checks, document observed deficiencies accurately, and submit maintenance requests to supervisors in a timely manner.
proficient
Patrol zone enforcement — autonomously manage a full assigned district across varying weather and traffic conditions, applying sound judgment on borderline parking violations.Complex citation documentation — produce detailed, court-ready citation records for contested or unusual violation scenarios without supervisor review prior to submission.Court appearance and testimony — appear in traffic court, present citation evidence clearly, and respond to cross-examination with composure and factual accuracy.Field database operations — independently troubleshoot hand-held computer errors, restore connectivity, and maintain data integrity during uninterrupted patrol operations.Ordinance interpretation — apply critical thinking to interpret ambiguous or conflicting parking regulations and make consistent, defensible enforcement decisions in the field.Multi-channel communications — coordinate simultaneously with dispatching personnel, supervisors, and other agencies via radio and cell phone during high-volume enforcement periods.Public safety awareness — identify and report hazardous conditions, abandoned vehicles, or suspicious activity observed during patrol to appropriate authorities with accurate detail.Citizen interaction — handle confrontational or distressed citizens with self-control and service orientation, providing clear explanations of citation procedures and appeal rights.Equipment lifecycle tracking — monitor wear and functionality of assigned technology and supplies over time, initiating replacement or repair requests before equipment failure occurs.Inductive pattern recognition — identify recurring violation hotspots and time-of-day trends across the patrol area to inform proactive enforcement positioning.
advanced
Enforcement policy development — lead the review and update of parking ordinance enforcement procedures, translating regulatory changes into clear operational protocols for the entire unit.Staff training program — design and deliver structured on-the-job training for new parking enforcement workers, covering citation procedures, equipment use, and public interaction standards.Performance standards — establish measurable citation accuracy, response time, and equipment maintenance benchmarks, and evaluate officer adherence across the full departmental workforce.Court liaison coordination — serve as the departmental point of contact for legal staff and court administrators, ensuring citation documentation meets evidentiary standards across all officers.Technology implementation — lead the rollout and adoption of new hand-held citation computer systems or database software, providing guidance and troubleshooting support to all staff.Dispatch operations oversight — develop communication protocols between enforcement officers and dispatching personnel, improving response accuracy and radio discipline unit-wide.Community relations strategy — represent the parking enforcement division at public forums and municipal meetings, articulating enforcement priorities and addressing community concerns at scale.Inter-agency coordination — collaborate with police, transportation, and municipal departments to align parking enforcement activities with broader public safety and urban mobility goals.Data-driven resource allocation — analyze enforcement data across zones and shifts to direct patrol resources toward high-impact locations, reducing violations at the organizational level.Risk and integrity oversight — establish accountability frameworks to ensure officer adherence to legal, ethical, and departmental standards, including reviewing contested citation patterns for systemic issues.
Also known as
23 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Civilian Pay Technician (Civilian Pay Tech)Enforcement OfficerEnforcement Safety OfficerMeter MaidParking Control OfficerParking Enforcement Officer (PEO)Parking Enforcement SpecialistParking Enforcement TechnicianParking EnforcerParking Lot AttendantParking ManagerParking Meter AttendantParking OfficerParking Regulation Enforcement OfficerParking Services OfficerParking SupervisorParking TechnicianPatrollerRamp Service EmployeeSecurity Patrol OfficerTicket WriterTraffic Control AttendantTraffic Control Officer