Planner/Zoning Inspector

Employment Opportunity Description

Under the direction of the Land Use and Development Director, this position is responsible for the enforcement of municipal ordinances pertaining to nuisance and property maintenance, and will assist with the enforcement of municipal ordinances pertaining to zoning and development. This position will assist with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and long range plans for the City which includes a wide range of and degree of responsibility over urban planning projects. Work is performed according to established guidelines and the verbal and written instructions of an immediate supervisor, and is reviewed for accuracy and adherence to established procedure by the supervisor.

Duties/Responsibilities

Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples listed include all the duties that may be found in this position. 

• Enforces municipal ordinances pertaining to nuisances & property maintenance; composes and sends correspondence to individuals in response to complaints and ordinance violations.
• Develops and maintains a consistent system of ordinance compliance report organization utilizing ArcGIS and INCODE (the municipal permit tracking software); maintains data through photography and report writing.
•  Serves as a liaison between the public and the City regarding ordinance violations and ordinance enforcement.
• Inspects new development for compliance with conditions of approval; assists developers in achieving compliance; assists with erosion control enforcement and inspections
• Attends Municipal Court as needed to support violation documentation.
• Assists committees and staff to develop policies and procedures to improve the overall maintenance and appearance of properties in the City.
• Develops outreach activities to inform public and City Council of the City’s Property Maintenance activities.
• Assists with updates to municipal ordinances, including research and developing recommendations for ordinance updates.
• Assists with the enforcement of the zoning ordinance including inspections, follow-up on complaints, and preparation of documentation of ordinance violations; may assist inspection staff with non-technical inspections.
• Assists in the administration and interpretation of the zoning ordinance.
• Assists in reviewing site plans, certified survey maps, subdivision plats, planned unit developments, rezonings, conditional use permits, annexations, sign permits, and home occupations.
• Works with customers, property owners, and developers on inquiries pertaining to development, the zoning ordinance, and urban planning projects.
• Assists with the development of the City’s GIS (Geographic Information System) and maps to support planning activities.
• Provides staffing assistance for City committees (i.e., Historic Preservation Commission, Long Range Planning Committee) as assigned.
• Assists with updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan; departmental website; and may assist with implementation of the City’s Urban Forestry Plan.
• Works with partner organizations (i.e., the DOT, the School District) to develop recommendations for transportation and trail corridor projects.
• Develops educational brochures and outreach activities to inform the public and City Council of municipal projects and City regulations.
• Prepares grant applications for financial assistance from federal, state, local and private agencies. Assists with administration and implementation of grants.

Qualifications

• Acts as a member of the City’s Emergency Operation Team and is responsible for emergency management tasks as assigned.
• Assists with economic development activities; researches and implements sustainability initiatives in urban planning projects; assists with the implementation of long-range City plans (i.e., the waterfront master plan, the downtown redevelopment plan).
• Coordinate and manage urban planning projects as assigned.
• Other duties as requested or assigned.

Additional Information

• Knowledge of the comprehensive planning process as it is conducted at the local level.
• Knowledge of enforcement of variances, ordinances, conditional use permits, and set back requirements preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, citizens, and elected officials; ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to present facts and ideas effectively to small and large groups; ability to prepare a variety of documents such as reports, maps, charts, spreadsheets, graphs, and grant applications.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, calmly approach and solve problems under stressful circumstances, maintain and promote harmony in the workplace, concentrate for extended periods of time, and be flexible.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to work on multiple tasks and projects and to work independently; excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with ArcMap or related GIS software.
• Ability to understand and read maps, site plans, legal descriptions, blueprints, utility, and basic construction.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment and tools such as computers, printers, copy machines and other such equipment.