Planning and Zoning

Stafford County, VA; Virginia; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Stafford County seeks a Code Enforcement Officer to enforce zoning and nuisance regulations under minimal supervision. Responsibilities include investigations, abatement actions, and responding to inquiries, with potential lead duties. Requires CZO certification and county driver’s license.

Position offers growth opportunities within Planning and Zoning; strong communication and documentation skills are essential for court testimony and inter-department coordination.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with courses in planning and zoning.
• 3 to 5 years of experience dealing with the public in code enforcement or related fields.
• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification through the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials.

Responsibilities

• Investigate code and ordinance complaints and issue violation notices.
• Determine procedures to obtain compliance and conduct follow-up inspections.
• Evaluate properties and present findings to the Deputy Zoning Administrator.
• Respond to public inquiries about regulations.
• Enforce conditions of CUPs, variances and proffers; manage rezoning processes.
• Conduct zoning compliance and inspections of as-built, landscaping, and infra securities.
• Prepare and maintain legal documents; coordinate with County Attorney; testify in court.

Skills

Public interaction

Clear communication

Professional demeanor

Education

High school diploma or GED

Planning & zoning coursework

Job description

Under minimal supervision, provides technical and investigatory work in the enforcement of municipal, state and federal codes relating to land use and nuisance regulations assigned to Planning and Zoning including responding to complaints, conducting site visits and abatements; gathering, compiling and maintaining evidence through written, photographic and electronic records; and monitoring progress of compliance. Does related work as required. May serve as lead to other Code Enforcement Officers.

The hiring salary for this position is $28.93/hour to $39.78/hour based on experience.
The full salary range for this position is $28.93/hour to $50.63/hour to provide opportunity for growth and development.

• Investigates various code and ordinance complaints and issues violation notices;
• Determines proper procedures and methods to obtain compliance, including voluntary correction and follow-up inspections;;
• Conducts evaluations of properties, compiles information on properties and presents it to the Deputy Zoning Administrator for discussion;
• Responds to public inquiries regarding applicable regulations, concerns, and questions;
• Prepares detailed review of as-built compliance, infrastructure securities, and proffer requirements;
• Enforces the conditions and requirements associated with conditional use permits, special exceptions, variances, and proffered rezonings;
• Conducts zoning compliance inspections on as-built applications, landscaping inspections, and infrastructure securities inspection;
• Prepares, assembles and maintains legal, case correspondence and related documents;
• Works with County Attorney for cases involving court action;
• Testifies in court as needed;
• Conducts research related to property deeds and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests as needed;
• Reviews and approves kennel licenses, small family daycare permits, home occupancy permits, and zoning compliance certifications;
• Reviews building permits for compliance with zoning ordinance and related codes and regulations;
• Participates in pre-construction meetings with architects, engineers, and contractors;
• Works with property owners on violation abatement as needed.
• Coordinates work with other departments and agencies;

Performs related tasks as required

• Ability to understand and interpret the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, proffers, permit conditions and other related codes;
• Ability to read and interpret site plans for zoning conformance;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely and handle difficult enforcement interactions professionally;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, building contractors, County officials, associates, and the general public;
• Ability to enforce ordinances and regulations, and to document and maintain files.

A combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or G.E.D., supplemented by courses in planning and zoning or related field, and 3 to 5 years of experience effectively dealing with the public in code enforcement, law enforcement, engineering, planning and zoning, building inspections or investigations, preferably in local government. Other equivalent education and work experience may be considered in meeting the minimum education and experience requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a driver's license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Possession of a Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification through the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials;

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, and grasping. 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 preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.