Alexis Mejia, Administrative Aide

Education and previous experience: I am a recent CSUMB Graduate (Go Otters!) with a bachelor’s in business administration. From the age of 14-19 years old I worked at a local sign shop and did everything from bookkeeping, estimating, fabrication, and installation. In my last two years of study at CSUMB I started working for the City of Salinas. I worked in the Finance Department for a year as a part-time Senior Accounting Clerk and then briefly worked in the Fire Prevention Department as an Office Technician before transitioning into Code Enforcement.

Why did you go into this line of work? I knew I wanted to work in a place that I can grow and still be able to constantly gain knowledge. Working for Code Enforcement has led me to learn more about State, Local and County codes. Conducting Administrative work has also allowed me to use the accounting experience I gained at CSUMB when creating reports and analyzing data.

 Ana Jacinto, Administrative Aide

Education and previous experience: Bachelor of Arts, Humanities, and Communications from CSU Monterey Bay. Prior to working with the department of Code Enforcement with the City of Salinas, I worked as an Administrative Assistant for an agriculture company and as a paralegal for a worker’s comp Law firm for 4 years. I also worked for CHISPA, a non-profit organization for 10 years. I truly loved working in the housing industry because I knew I was helping families and making a difference in someone’s life on a daily basis.

Why did you go into this line of work?  Every community faces struggles with vacant buildings, trash, tall grass/weeds, graffiti, yard parking, families living in substandard conditions, just to name a few; however, It’s so rewarding to be in a line of work where I’m giving back to the community by supporting Code Enforcement Officers enhance the quality of life while working to keep homes and properties from becoming eyesores and ensuring families are in a healthy and safe environment.  

Carmen Saucedo, Administrative Clerk

Education and previous experience: I have worked in the Code Enforcement Division for 20 years. Before working for Code Enforcement, I worked in Agriculture for 14 years as a picker for strawberries, lettuce, and broccoli. After working in Ag for all those years I decided I wanted to further my career, so I took an 8-month training at CET for accumulated business skills that helped me learn to conduct clerical work. The training course I took led me to work for an employment agency in which I gained 12 years of billing experience. My final assignment for the employment agency was to work for the City of Salinas Code Enforcement Division in which I was able to obtain a full-time job and have been here since.  

Why did you go into this line of work? I enjoy helping people and doing outreach with the community. Code Enforcement gives me the opportunity to take in complaints and provide the community with information they may not have known previously. 

Cindy Guerrero, Code Enforcement Officer II

Education and previous Experience: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Business Administration, California P.O.S.T Penal Code 832 Certification, California Association of Code Enforcement Officer Certification, International Code Council Property Maintenance Inspector Certification, Lead Safety for renovations, repair and painting certification. I worked as an Office Assistant II for the County of Monterey Clerks Office for two years. I then worked as a Permit Clerk for the City of Salinas for 9 years before transitioning into Code Enforcement. I have now been working for Code Enforcement for 5 years with a total experience of 15 years in City Government.

Why did you go into this line of work? Growing up in Salinas I always knew I had a passion for helping people. When I started with the City of Salinas and got the opportunity to be a permit clerk, I was able to guide people through the permitting process. Having to work closely with the code enforcement officers I observed how the officers would go into these houses with people living in the garage or living in a substandard home. These poor people not knowing the dangers they were in. I decided this is something I would be good at. Becoming a code enforcement officer meant more than just a job. It meant I would be able to do what I love which is to help people and teach them how to keep their family safe.  I do my job as a Code Enforcement Officer learning to understand the situation the individual is in by listening and showing empathy towards others.

Cindy McKinlay, Code Enforcement Officer I

Education and previous experience: Attended Hartnell College, in where I received my certification for PC832 Fire and Arrest. I was hired as a part-time Code Enforcement Officer in 2016 and became a full-time officer in 2019. I have completed my Module I and II of the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers. I have also received additional certifications within my field of work.

Why did you go into this line of work? While trying to achieve my goal of becoming a Police Officer, I obtained a job for the City of Salinas as a part-time Code Enforcement Officer. Although Code Enforcement was the opposite of being a police officer, I felt intrigued and fascinated with discovering violations and assisting my community in taking corrective steps for compliance. Four years have passed since being a CEO and I have no regrets of not proceeding with becoming a Police Officer.  

Daniela DeBaca, Code Enforcement Officer II

Education and previous experience: I’ve been with the City for 21 years. My first 10 years were spent as a Community Service Officer with Salinas Police Department.  I am a certified Code Enforcement Officer through the California Association for Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) and Certified Property Maintenance Housing Inspector through the International Code Council (ICC).

Why did you go into this line of work? I have always enjoyed helping people. Public service falls in line with this and life just seems to keep leading me down that path.

Lorenzo Sanchez, Code Enforcement Manager

Education and previous experience: 2 years as a 911 dispatcher for the Office of Emergency Services Monterey County, 5 Years with the City of Soledad as a Firefighter and Fire Engineer, 2 years’ water treatment systems, Lead Code Officer for the City of Soledad from 2004 – 2009, Lead Residential Rental Inspector for the City of Sana Cruz from 2011 – March of 2016, Senior Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Salinas March 2016 – present.  I am certified as a property Maintenance Inspector through the International Code Council, Certified Code Enforcement Officer through the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers, California Field Inspector Credential through California Building Officials Training Institute and I also possess my certification for Level III PC832 for the laws of Arrest and Firearms.

Why did you go into this line of work? As a firefighter, we frequently went calls to properties that were questionable and not easy to locate.  I remember one incident very clearly, it was a medical call for a female with chest pains, when we arrived on scene and knocked on the door, we were greeted by a young man who looked shocked to see us.  We identified ourselves and asked if anyone there called 911 and if the person who was having chest pains was there.  He said no one called and there was no one with any pains.  As we gathered our gear and started to get back into the engine, a female ran down the driveway yelling “Back here, Back here!”  We had no idea there was a second unit on this property.  As we approached the rear structure, we found a 10’ x 12’ tough shed with extension cords, coming from the main unit, a hot plate, portable heater and, bunk bed with an elderly woman covered in blankets.  She was the patient we were looking for.  She was transported to the hospital and treated for her condition. I was so heartbroken to see someone living in this condition and told my chief something needs to be done about this, people shouldn’t have to love like this.  Two years later a position for a Code enforcement office opened and I jumped on it, I was able to make a difference and continue to do so. I am able to help families living in substandard conditions, promote fire and life safety, and ensure that structures are safe for habitable.

Matt Pierce, Code Enforcement Officer I

Education and previous experience: I attended San Jose State University where I studied education and psychology. Life had different plans for me after graduation I began working in the fitness industry in 2002 as a health club manager and personal trainer. This career allowed me to thrive in an area that I am passionate about which is health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. After getting married I switch careers in 2008 and began working for the Monterey County parks department as a park ranger. This was a very fulfilling career as it allowed me to learn law enforcement, work outside, and help people daily. I transitioned to the probation department working with youth offenders At the Monterey County Juvenile Hall. This was both a challenging and rewarding career for me and it allowed me to work with some great people and empowered young people’s lives.

Why did you go into this line of work? Code enforcement was a natural fit for me as it allowed me to educate the public, enforce city codes, and help people.

Sylvia Perez, Code Enforcement Officer I

Education and previous experience: High school graduate, Business College.  I have over 25 years of working with the City of Salinas.  In the first seven years I worked as a Permit Clerk in the Permit Center with the City of Salinas, after which, I was promoted to a Code Enforcement Officer and have been doing this position for over 18 years serving our community.

Why did you go into this line of work?  When I first started working with the Permit Center, there were very few bilingual services for our community.  I found myself translating for all the different divisions located at the Permit Center.  I translated and learned how each division operated and learned to locate pertinent information to help the permitting process along for the property owner: such as the fire flow testing results for Fire Prevention, this would determine if a property would be allowed the addition and if fire sprinklers were going to be required. I also translated for engineering – Vendor Permit Program and helped identify violators and had them go through the correct process to obtain their Vendor Permit. I also translated and went out in the field for the Building Division and Code Enforcement. During this time, I learned I love helping families and concentrated to educate myself to promote to a Code Enforcement Officer as there was a great need for this service to educate families of the different services available.