POSITION SUMMARY
Performs responsible technical, administrative, and inspection work related to compliance with County landscape ordinances and development standards. Duties include landscape plan review, site inspections, ordinance enforcement coordination, and ongoing monitoring of required landscaping for commercial, industrial, and residential developments. Work involves frequent interaction with developers, engineers, contractors, other County departments, and the public.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Reviews landscape plans, site plans, and development plans for compliance with County ordinances, including bufferyard standards, tree protection requirements, and screening regulations.
- Conducts pre-installation, installation, and post-installation landscape inspections.
- Verifies plant quantities, species, spacing, size, and placement to ensure ordinance compliance.
- Documents violations; prepares inspection reports; issues notices of noncompliance; and coordinates enforcement actions with Zoning Enforcement staff.
- Provides technical guidance and assistance regarding landscape standards, ordinance requirements, and acceptable plant materials.
- Coordinates with Building Codes, Stormwater, Planning, and other County departments during development review and inspections.
- Maintains accurate electronic records, inspection logs, correspondence, and plan review files.
- Assists with drafting, revising, and updating landscape, tree, and bufferyard ordinances and related policies.
- Responds to citizen inquiries and complaints related to landscaping requirements and maintenance.
- Participates in Collaborative Development Review Meetings (CDRM) and other meetings as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of landscape architecture principles, plant materials, installation techniques, and maintenance practices. Working knowledge of zoning regulations, development standards, and land use processes. Ability to read and interpret engineered site plans and landscape drawings. Ability to apply and enforce regulations in a professional and consistent manner.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- This is medium work requiring the exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, assembly or fabrication of parts at or within arm’s length, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.
- Work is performed in both an indoor and outdoor environment. Considerable outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land uses and other matters. Must have the mobility to negotiate uneven terrain, visit project sites on a regular basis, work alone, and travel from site to site. Occasionally visits to job sites include exposure to dust, extreme hot and cold temperatures, and sometimes exposure to heavy machinery, noise and inclement weather many times in a construction zone environment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred.
- Experience in landscape design, landscape inspection, planning, zoning, or a related field preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Experience with Development Review and Permitting Software.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- All regular full-time and part-time employees of Spartanburg County are required by state law to participate in the South Carolina Retirement System.
- Possession of a valid driver's license issued in the state of South Carolina.