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Parking Enforcement Officers, also known as meter attendants, patrol assigned areas, such as public parking lots or sections of the city, to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and to individuals parked illegally.

JOB DUTIES 

Parking Enforcement Officers may:

Patrol an assigned area

Enforce parking regulations

Write violation tickets on illegally parked vehicles at expired meters or in no-parking or other restricted areas

Prepare required police forms and records

Answer questions from the public regarding the location of streets and buildings

Wind parking meter clocks

Report missing traffic signs and signals to the supervisor

Chalk tires of parked vehicles, recording the time, and returning at specified intervals to issue a ticket if it has been parked longer than allowed

Collect coins deposited in the meters

Make arrangements for illegally parked vehicles to be towed away after a certain interval when owners have not moved them

In some cities, police officers are assigned special duties such as parking enforcement.

Tools, equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Parking Enforcement Officers may specialize in these areas:

375.587-010 PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, also known as meter attendants, patrol assigned areas, such as public parking lots or sections of the city, to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and to those individuals parked illegally.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Parking Enforcement Officers usually work alone with little direct supervision. They work outdoors for long periods of time in all kinds of weather. They ride in jeeps or other specially designed vehicles. They might patrol on foot or ride horses in some cities.

Parking Enforcement Officers usually work a 40-hour week. They might work overlapping shifts to cover violators who park illegally at any time of day or night.

Officers are required to wear uniforms which are usually supplied by the employer.

They might join a union as a condition of employment and pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Repeat activities/tasks according to a routine procedure or sequence

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you observe a parked automobile at approximately 1:00 p.m., and you notice that it is still there at 5:00 p.m., approximately how long has the car been parked there?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

By replacing the railroad as the principal form of transportation, the automobile and truck eliminated a major advantage of the central city over the outlying suburbs.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining different traffic violations and where they occur the most.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best route to take so that you can monitor the greatest possible area.

Applicants for parking enforcement positions must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license and pass a civil service examination. Certain vision and physical standards are required. High school education or the equivalent is required in addition to legible handwriting and clerical skills. Local residency is required in some cities.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

028 LAW ENFORCEMENT

Approved vocational education programs in Law Enforcement prepare students in theories, principles, and techniques of developing, administering, and managing services for the safety and protection of people. Trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

                 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in Law Enforcement may offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience. Individuals may develop some of the required skills and abilities by becoming volunteer civilian police cadets or trainees with local police departments. Cadets may perform clerical tasks and assist in traffic or crowd control at public events.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Parking Enforcement Officer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Parking Enforcement Officer employer

community service work with an agency

Direct application to local civil service offices is the most common method of entry. Applicants must pass a civil service examination. Next, their names are placed on an employment list for the position. Some workers transfer from other departments or other positions within the civil service system.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Parking Enforcement Officers depend on the size of the city and its budget, as well as the extent of unionization.

Parking Enforcement Officers employed in several Michigan cities had hourly wage ranges (mid 1999) of:

Depending on the employer, most Parking Enforcement Officers receive group life and medical insurance, paid vacations and holidays, paid sick leave, and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employers.

Parking Enforcement Officers may advance to senior officer or principal officer, and some may go on to head Parking Enforcement Officer. Promotions usually depend on the frequency of job openings, length of service, job performance, formal education or additional training, and scores on promotional examinations.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, the number of Parking Enforcement Officers employed is unknown.

There are about 275 Parking Enforcement Officers employed in Michigan . All worked for local governments.

Employment of Parking Enforcement Officers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Less than 10 openings are expected each year during this period. Most of these openings will result from the need to replace those who retire or leave the labor force for some other reasons. Some additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Parking Enforcement Officer can be summarized by the following:

  MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development