Careers
>Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
>Law Enforcement Services
>Parking Enforcement Workers
Parking Enforcement Workers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $27K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $33K
Median Salary: $42K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $54K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $66K
Demand
Core Tasks
Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using hand-held computers.
Patrol an assigned area by vehicle or on foot to ensure public compliance with existing parking ordinance.
Appear in court at hearings regarding contested traffic citations.
Write warnings and citations for illegally parked vehicles.
Maintain assigned equipment and supplies, such as hand-held citation computers, citation books, rain gear, tire-marking chalk, and street cones.
Maintain close communications with dispatching personnel, using two-way radios or cell phones.
Respond to and make radio dispatch calls regarding parking violations and complaints.
Perform simple vehicle maintenance procedures, such as checking oil and gas, and report mechanical problems to supervisors.
Identify vehicles in violation of parking codes, checking with dispatchers when necessary to confirm identities or to determine whether vehicles need to be booted or towed.
Observe and report hazardous conditions, such as missing traffic signals or signs, and street markings that need to be repainted.
Train new or temporary staff.
Locate lost, stolen, and counterfeit parking permits, and take necessary enforcement action.
Mark tires of parked vehicles with chalk and record time of marking, and return at regular intervals to ensure that parking time limits are not exceeded.
Make arrangements for illegally parked or abandoned vehicles to be towed, and direct tow-truck drivers to the correct vehicles.
Investigate and answer complaints regarding contested parking citations, determining their validity and routing them appropriately.
Provide information to the public regarding parking regulations and facilities, and the location of streets, buildings and points of interest.
Collect coins deposited in meters.
Prepare and maintain required records, including logs of parking enforcement activities, and records of contested citations.
Wind parking meter clocks.
Assign and review the work of subordinates.
Provide assistance to motorists needing help with problems, such as flat tires, keys locked in cars, or dead batteries.
Perform traffic control duties such as setting up barricades and temporary signs, placing bags on parking meters to limit their use, or directing traffic.
Remove handbills within patrol areas.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
English Language
76%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
75%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Law and Government
66%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Computers and Electronics
63%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
62%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
56%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Foreign Language
55%
Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Transportation
55%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Administration and Management
54%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media
52%
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Top 10 Skills
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
65%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
63%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
63%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness
63%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
60%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension
60%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation
60%
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Time Management
60%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Learning
58%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
73%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
68%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Information Ordering
65%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision
65%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
65%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Far Vision
63%
The ability to see details at a distance.
Problem Sensitivity
63%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Recognition
63%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Expression
63%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Control Precision
60%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Top 10 Work Activities
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
88%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
87%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Documenting/Recording Information
86%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
85%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
85%
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Getting Information
84%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information
84%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Assisting and Caring for Others
79%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
79%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Detailed Work Activities
Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.
Patrol properties to maintain safety.
Issue warnings or citations.
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
Maintain supply or equipment inventories.
Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.
Locate suspicious objects or vehicles.
Train employees in proper work procedures.
Confiscate prohibited or dangerous items.
Investigate transportation incidents, violations, or complaints.
Relay information between personnel.
Respond to customer problems or complaints.
Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.
Maintain operational records.
Block physical access to restricted areas.
Direct vehicle traffic.
Monitor vehicle movement or location.
Collect deposits, payments or fees.
Maintain mechanical equipment.
Assist motorists or pedestrians.
Evaluate employee performance.
Clean work sites.
Work Context
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
Deal With External Customers
How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
72%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
48%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
39%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Investigative
19%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Self Control
92%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Integrity
91%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Independence
88%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance
87%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attention to Detail
86%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
85%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
82%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
74%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
74%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Achievement/Effort
69%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Values
Relationships
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Achievement
29%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
