Nuisance & Zoning Inspector

Queen Anne's County, Maryland Government; Centreville (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen Anne's County, Maryland Government is seeking a nuisance/zoning inspector to apply and enforce local codes. Duties include field inspections, permit reviews, and ensuring compliance with zoning regulations and the county nuisance ordinance.

The role involves researching plans, responding to complaints, preparing reports, and testifying at hearings or in court when required. Strong communication, organization, and computer skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in construction technology or related field; coursework in building codes and planning preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ enforcement/permit activity experience and/or land use planning, or four years in a related field.
• Basic computer literacy including common software; familiarity with zoning software is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform field inspections of real property and building permits to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
• Investigate nuisance complaints and zoning violations; prepare reports and testify when required.
• Maintain records of applications, inspections, and violations; interact with the public and officials.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Regulatory understanding

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in construction technology or related field

Tools

CAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

LOCATION:

Queen Anne's County, Maryland

JOB SUMMARY

The primary duty of a nuisance/zoning inspector is to apply and enforce the rules and regulations of the Queen Anne’s County Code of Public Laws. The inspector performs field inspections of real property, zoning permit inspections based on approved plans and permit submittals to ensure compliance with zoning codes and regulations; researches and reviews plat and plan restrictions; verifies property ownership information and compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides cordial, responsive, and accurate customer service by responding to all inquiries.
• Acquires and maintains knowledge regarding current Queen Anne’s County Nuisance Ordinance; Zoning and Subdivision Regulations; Critical Areas Ordinance; Sediment Control Ordinance; and other appropriate ordinances and statutes.
• Assists the Zoning Administrator with gathering and maintaining current and historic information on permits and planning projects.
• Receives and responds to nuisance complaints. Investigates nuisance complaints and takes appropriate action in accordance with the county code.
• Investigates possible zoning violations in response to complaints or observation while in the field.
• Conducts field inspections and site inspections of real property and improvements to ensure compliance with various county codes and statutory requirements.
• Conducts building permit inspections.
• Manages the critical area tree removal plan reviews.
• Conducts pre-construction meetings.
• Conducts final inspections to ensure compliance with the variety of regulations in order to release both Certificates of Occupancy and Letters of Credit/Bonds.
• Works with staff who meet with the public to explain regulations as they pertain to their properties and projects.

Maintains complete and accurate records of all applications reviewed, inspections completed, and violation cases investigated.

Handles departmental correspondence with federal, state and local officials (email, phone, and letters).

Types general correspondence, memoranda, and reports.

Posts signs on owners’ properties notifying community of pending zoning action.

Prepares reports for and attends Board of Appeals hearings, and offers inspection support for Planning Commission projects, as needed, and provides testimony when required.

Appears in District Court and provides testimony regarding alleged zoning violations.

Performs other duties as assigned.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret state law and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the County Commissioners, Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to read site plans, construction drawings, and various other types of maps and development plans.
• Possesses strong organizational skills and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and work well with other agency officials.
• Possesses computer literacy including Microsoft Office with the ability to learn Zoning Software Programs.

MATHEMATICAL SKILL

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and otherwise excess in technical mathematics.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but involved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with and prioritize problems involving a few variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a Class C Motor Vehicle Operator’s License (or the equivalent from another issuing state) or ability to obtain such a license within thirty (30) days of appointment to position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. This position requires frequent on-site inspections including in unimproved and off-road areas. The duties of this job are also performed inside a climate-controlled office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate’s Degree in construction technology or closely related field (courses in building codes and administration, technical mathematics, CAD, construction blueprint reading, or land use planning preferred) and a minimum of two years of experience in enforcement/permit activities and/or land use planning or four years’ experience in a related field. Experience in the basic use and knowledge of computers.

COMMENTS

Employees must conform to applicable policies and safety rules.

This position is one within the Queen Anne’s County Civil Service System. An employee must serve a twelve-month probationary period during which he or she may be terminated without notice, cause, hearing or right of appeal.

This description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.