There's no denying that working as a civil enforcement officer has its ups and downs. From being out in the open air, to having to deal with angry members of the public, it's a position that has a number of pros and cons.

If you're interested in becoming an officer, there are a number of challenges you'll need to overcome if you're to be a success. We take a look at some of these and provide advice on how to get around them below.

Getting around
One of the most simple challenges of being a civil enforcement officer is getting around. You'll spend most of your day patrolling your beat looking for any vehicles that are breaching parking regulations. 

On the whole, this is a good thing. You'll be out in the open air and getting a good amount of exercise, rather than being sat in front of a computer screen all day. However, this can have its downsides too, as you'll be expected to be out and about regardless of the weather. 

So, to be a successful civil enforcement officer, you must be ready and willing to get out there come rain or shine.

Coping with conflict 
The biggest challenge officers have to overcome is dealing with conflict. While the majority of people accept parking tickets with good grace, there is always a small minority who react angrily. Officers need the confidence to deal with these situations and the ability to prevent them from escalating.

As a result, it's vital for anyone in the position to develop strong conflict resolution skills that allow them to calm people down and avoid a complaint or grievance developing into something worse. This is undoubtedly the most daunting part of being a civil enforcement officer, but it's a vital aspect of the position. 

What's more, having the ability and confidence to deal with conflict is a skill that not many people possess and can come in handy both in the working environment and day-to-day life.

Keeping up 
A different challenge that is involved with being a civil enforcement officer is keeping up with what's going on in the world of parking. To do the job effectively, officers need to be aware of the latest regulations and the priorities of the local authority or organisation they are working for. Being aware of industry goings-on is especially important for anyone look to move up the parking career ladder.

Tackling tech
Technology has had a profound impact on almost every aspect of day-to-day life and the world of parking is certainly no exception. As a civil enforcement officer you'll need to be computer literature to a good degree and comfortable using equipment such as hand-held cameras and printers, cameras, two-way radios and mobile phones.

Interested in becoming a civil enforcement officer? Or maybe you already work in the industry and are looking for your next position. Either way, Unity Recruitment is here to help as parking is our speciality.

Take a look at our vacancies to see if there's anything that catches your eye. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to discuss your options.