Civil enforcement officer

You would make sure that people respect and obey the rules that make public roads and parking spaces safe and available for everyone to use.

You would walk around public streets and local council carparks to check that people are following the traffic and parking regulations. For example, you’d make sure that people aren’t wrongly using spaces that are reserved for disabled drivers. You’d check that drivers aren’t inconveniencing other people by parking for too long on a busy road.

You’d apply the rules fairly. You’d need to explain issues to people who may be angry when you tell then they have broken the regulations.

You would:

• Record and issue Penalty Charge Notices to people

• Check parking meters and car park equipment, and report damage or faults

• Check that car parks are clean and tidy

• Report defective signs and road markings

• Identify and reporting abandoned vehicles

• Explain regulations to motorists and advise them about parking facilities

• Check tickets and take payments in some car parks

You would work with other professionals like the police or police community support officers to report incidents like anti-social behaviour.

You’d also need to attend court or tribunal if someone refuses to accept and pay a parking ticket.

You would use hand-held computers and printers for recording and issuing penalty notices and cameras to record vehicles that break the regulations. You’d use a two-way radio or mobile phone to keep in contact with your supervisors.

• British Parking Association - Promotes standards and professional development in the parking and traffic management industry