Zoning Administrator

Queen Anne's County Government, Maryland; Centreville (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen Anne’s County Government, Maryland, is seeking a qualified administrator to oversee the Zoning Division, manage building permit processes, inspections, and code enforcement, and supervise staff under the Director of Planning and Zoning.

The role requires knowledge of construction practices and regulations, strong leadership, and the ability to coordinate with other departments to issue permits and resolve complex zoning issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or business administration with major coursework.
• Two years’ experience in public administration or zoning-related roles.
• Five years’ experience supervising zoning enforcement and building permits functions (local government).

Responsibilities

• Oversee zoning enforcement and building permit programs to ensure compliance with ordinances.
• Direct personnel and administrative activities of the Zoning Division.
• Manage building permit processes, inspections, and code enforcement.
• Operate Tyler Technology/Energov database and online permitting portal.
• Advise Planning Director on permit-related matters and code implementation.

Skills

Customer service

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Business Administration

Job description

LOCATION:

Queen Anne's County, Maryland

JOB SUMMARY

This position reports to the Director of Planning and Zoning and manages the administrative and personnel activities of the Zoning Division. This includes directing the processes for issuing building permits, scheduling inspections, and the enforcing of building codes and the County’s zoning code, as well as, managing the Electrical Board and Board of License Commissioners. Provides leadership in resolving complex zoning issues and enforcement actions. Gives direction to zoning and permitting staff, coordinates with the Planning Division, as well as other departments within and outside the county, and monitors the progress of issues through to resolution. This position requires broad and specific knowledge of construction practices, including state and federal programs, codes, and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides cordial, responsive, and accurate customer service and appropriate responses to customer requests.


• Supervises County employees assigned to zoning enforcement and building permit programs to ensure compliance with ordinance and statutory requirements.


• Oversees the management of the County’s database known as Tyler Technology/Energov, as well as the online permitting and licensing portal.


• Ensures that customers receive prompt and accurate information or adequate service in response to inquiries or requests.


• Supervises the duties, activities, and performance of employees assigned to the Board of License Commissioners, Electrical Board, and contractual building code inspectors, zoning, and nuisance inspectors.


• Monitors and updates the building code inspection contracts.


• Provides general information to inquiring public regarding applications for building permits, zoning use permits, or zoning ordinance requirements.


• Makes final decisions with respect to the issuance or denial of building or zoning permits.


• Makes final decisions with respect to initiation of enforcement action for zoning violations; issues civil zoning citations; and appears in court to testify with respect to such citations.


• Coordinates fire and building code inspections and consults with local, state and federal agencies, as required.


• Responsible for keeping up to date with regulatory changes as they relate to various building and land use codes.


• Coordinates with the Department of Public Works, the Queen Anne’s County Health Department, and other agencies as appropriate for the review and issuance of building permits and zoning certificates ensuring permits are being tracked and processed by these agencies in a timely and efficient manner.


• Responsible for the issuance of permits and zoning certificates in a timely and efficient manner.


• Prepares annual operating budget requests and monitors annual operating budget expenditures.


• Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities. Completes annual performance evaluations of those under his/her supervision.


• Advises the Planning Director on all permit-related matters.


• Advises the Planning staff as to the implementation of zoning codes and alerts the staff as to the effectiveness of code implementation and consistency.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the County’s policies and applicable laws; responsibilities may include interviewing, recommending, and selecting candidates for employment; training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising employee performance; counseling, rewarding and disciplines employees; investigates employee grievances; approves and mediates disciplinary actions; addresses and resolves complaints.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to manage both the personnel and administration of the building permit and Zoning certificate process from application intake to final project close out.

Ability to clearly and effectively communicate the requirements of the County’s zoning and building permit programs to the general public.

Ability to deal with problem customers; ability to effectively supervise a diverse workforce.

Through knowledge of current office practices, software (Microsoft Word and Excel are a minimum), procedures and equipment.

Ability to learn and supervise proprietary software and procedures.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisor, employees, clients, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

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

NIMS TRAINING

The following National Incident Management (NIMS) Training is required within the first year of employment. Managers and Supervisors Courses 100, 700 and 200

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public administration or business administration and two years’ experience; OR five years’ experience in supervising the zoning enforcement and building permits functions for a local government OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge and skills stated herein. Familiarity with the building industry including basic planning, zoning, and development principles is desired. General knowledge of the County’s current building codes, development process, zoning codes is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office-like setting with work in outside weather conditions as necessary. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

COMMENTS

An employee in this position may be required to work shift work, overtime, weekends, and holidays and/or remain on standby for a call back to work. 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 period of twelve months’ probation 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.