Planner/Zoning Officer

Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs a variety of professional, technical, and administrative work to support the County’s planning and zoning functions, including land use regulation, development review, zoning enforcement, research, long-range planning, and/or other related tasks as assigned. This position is also responsible for responding to questions from the general public concerning topics such as land use types, zoning, and subdivision regulations.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

An employee in this class is responsible for interpreting, administering, and enforcing zoning, subdivision, and related development ordinances in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes (including Chapter 160D) and other applicable laws. This employee has significant interaction with the public, providing information, guidance, and interpretations of development regulations.

This position’s zoning enforcement function involves performing inspections and investigations of potential zoning violations and securing compliance through follow-up inspections. Inspections may require physical effort and may be performed under hazards present in dealing with construction work and/or land development in progress. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and extremely hot and cold temperatures. Work is also subject to noise and dusts. Tact, courtesy, and firmness must be exercised when dealing with contractors and/or the general public.

Work is performed under the general supervision and guidance of the Planning and Inspections Director. However, as experience is gained, this position is expected to exercise significant independent judgment and initiative in organizing and executing tasks, typically within the framework of established departmental policies and procedures.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Duties and Tasks

· Responds to general planning and zoning questions via walk-in customers, phone calls, and emails; informs the public as to planning policies and procedures; explains zoning and subdivision regulations

· Interprets rules and regulations regarding zoning, subdivision, and other planning and land use items

· Advises owners, developers, engineers, and/or surveyors of procedures, solutions, and alternatives relating to development

· Reviews plats, site plans, sign permits, and/or other development applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance

· Consult with other County departments and staff to gather/distribute information

· Coordinate with other County departments and staff to accomplish assigned functions

· Assists with preparation of materials for Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Commissioners, and/or other boards and commissions

· Maintains files related to zoning cases, subdivisions, site plans, and zoning violations

· Performs routine office tasks in designated area(s), including data entry, file management (including scanning/network file storage), copying, and answering telephones and emails

· Researches and compiles information on planning issues as assigned

· Attends public meetings, assisting other staff as appropriate

· Maintains and updates departmental public information materials as assigned

· Inspects properties for compliance with zoning and other applicable regulations

· Investigates potential violations and contacts responsible individuals in-person, by telephone, by other electronic means, and/or in writing to address violations and discuss applicable remedies

· Notifies responsible parties of results of inspections; performs re-inspections to determine if corrective actions have been taken; issues stop work orders, citations, and/or zoning violation notices if necessary

· May be required to testify in court as to violations of the Stokes County Zoning Ordinance or other regulations

· Performs other related work as assigned

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of subdivision and zoning ordinances

• General knowledge of planning principles, purposes, techniques, and terminology

• General knowledge of research areas related to planning activities

• General knowledge of the basic governmental/administrative framework in which planning operates

• Working knowledge of the general functions of the various departments of County government

• Demonstrated ability to use personal computers effectively and efficiently in daily work

• Ability to analyze planning problems and make recommendations for solutions

• Ability to organize, prepare, and present reports on previously assigned projects

• Ability to conduct basic planning research

• Ability to work on several projects or tasks simultaneously

• Ability to read plans and apply provisions of County ordinances to determine compliance; ability to apply regulations to conditions in the field

• Ability to interpret state statutes and local ordinances and apply them to specific situations

• Ability to enforce regulations tactfully and firmly

• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing

• Ability to work with people effectively and under tight timelines or stressful situations

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, government officials, representatives of other organizations/agencies, developers, and/or members of the general public

• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions

• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to pull, move, or carry objects

• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare reports, prepare and analyze data and figures, do extensive reading, and operate a computer terminal

• This position requires driving in a County-owned or personal vehicle to conduct official business including, but not limited to, attending meetings, performing site visits, and/or any other assigned functions

Desirable Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, geography, political science, public administration, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field; and

• Some experience administering and interpreting regulations or policies, preferably involving work with legal descriptions, deeds, plats, surveys, easements, site plans, landscape plans, town/area plans, and/or subdivisions in such work settings as a government planning office, surveyor’s office, engineer’s office, landscape architect’s office, architect’s office, or related settings; or

• An equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements

• Certification as a Certified Zoning Official (CZO) or ability to obtain within two years

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license