Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer

Town of South Windsor; South Windsor (CT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of South Windsor seeks a Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer to enforce zoning regulations, blight standards, and related state statutes. The role covers field inspections, investigations and admin duties to ensure compliant, quality service to the community.

Under the supervision of the Director of Planning and the Chief Building Official, you will issue notices, collect and maintain records, respond to inquiries, and coordinate with other departments to support enforcement and public

Qualifications

• Knowledge of municipal planning principles.
• Knowledge of regulatory and enforcement procedures including investigation and inspection techniques.
• Ability to read Connecticut General Statutes and Town ordinances pertaining to blight, housing and property maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and executes work to meet zoning and blight enforcement goals and objectives and agency deadlines.
• Issues certificates of zoning compliance; investigates complaints of zoning violations and blight conditions; issues field notices and citations.
• Conducts field inspections of residential, commercial and vacant properties to identify blight or unsafe conditions.
• Prepares and presents enforcement cases to the Blight Hearing Officer or Committee; maintains case files and records.
• Provides information and assistance to the public on zoning and blight matters; coordinates with other departments.
• Reviews regulations and prepares budget recommendations; participates in professional planning and code enforcement organizations.

Skills

Municipal planning

Regulatory enforcement

Investigation techniques

Oral and written communication

Public interaction

Education

CAZEO Certification (desirable)

Job description

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Close Date

Location 14

Description

ZONING AND BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

NATURE OF WORK

This is inspection, investigative and administrative work to assure compliance with the zoning regulations of the Town, the Town's Anti-Blight Ordinance, and related State statutes. This combined position is responsible for the full range of zoning enforcement duties and for the administration and enforcement of the Town's blight and property maintenance standards.

An essential part of the duties of this position is assisting in developing a flexible and anticipatory organization which will provide cost-effective and customer-friendly delivery of quality services to the community; plus assisting in developing and utilizing the potential of each employee to successfully find new ways to deliver both the short and long-term needs of South Windsor consistent with the Town's goals and objectives.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Planning and the Chief Building Official and in accordance with prevailing policies, laws, regulations and rules. Work is reviewed through conferences and reports for overall program effectiveness and efficiency.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Plans, organizes and executes work to meet zoning and blight enforcement goals and objectives and agency deadlines consistent with the Town's goals of establishing and maintaining quality community services through cost-effective, customer-friendly service delivery; assigns work to clerical staff.

Issues certificates of zoning compliance; receives and investigates complaints of zoning violations and blight conditions; issues field notices and citations to violators under the Zoning Regulations and the Town's Anti-Blight Ordinance; follows up to assure that violations are corrected; issues cease and desist orders; confers with Director, Chief Building Official and/or Town Attorney in enforcement and interpretive situations; appears in court and before the Blight Hearing Officer, as necessary, to support enforcement or petition procedures; prepares and maintains written and permanent records of violations, applications and related matters.

Conducts field inspections of residential, commercial and vacant properties to identify blighted, unsafe or poorly maintained conditions, including deteriorated structures, accumulated trash or debris, overgrown vegetation, and unregistered or inoperable vehicles; investigates blight complaints received from residents, Town staff, or other sources, and proactively identifies blight conditions through routine field patrols.

Prepares and presents blight enforcement cases to the Blight Hearing Officer or Blight Enforcement Committee, as applicable; maintains accurate case files, inspection logs and photographic documentation sufficient to support enforcement actions and, where necessary, Superior Court proceedings; tracks fines and coordinates with the Finance Department and Town Attorney regarding liens against non-compliant properties.

Provides information and technical assistance over the counter and by phone to the general public, property owners and developers, and their representatives, on both zoning and blight matters; addresses public and private groups on enforcement matters; prepares interpretive materials of zoning regulations and blight standards for public information; coordinates with and assists other departments and commissions, including the Building Department, Health Department, Fire Marshal and Police Department, on matters dealing with zoning and blight enforcement.

Provides regulatory support to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Commission; prepares meeting agenda items and appropriate support information; prepares legal notices of zoning matters for publication in newspaper; prepares regular narrative and statistical reports for the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Director of Planning, including blight case status and enforcement outcomes.

Regularly reviews zoning regulations and the Anti-Blight Ordinance and recommends revisions, additions or deletions.

Reviews site plans, subdivision applications, special exception permits and regulated activity permits to assure compliance with zoning regulations; makes on-site inspections as necessary; plans work to provide regular and periodic on-site inspection of properties throughout Town for both zoning and blight compliance.

Prepares recommendations for the zoning and blight enforcement unit in department budget.

Participates in professional planning and code enforcement organizations to keep current on technological and legal developments and changes of value to Town government.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related work as required.

Position Requirements

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of municipal planning.
• Knowledge of regulatory and enforcement principles and procedures including investigation and inspection techniques.
• Knowledge of Connecticut General Statutes and Town ordinances pertaining to blight, housing and property maintenance.
• Ability to quickly acquire a working knowledge of prevailing building codes and land use regulations and statutes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering and architectural drawings, blue prints and construction specifications.
• Ability to analyze and interpret plans, and to determine whether they conform to provisions of applicable codes and ordinances.
• Ability to prepare clear, factual and legally defensible violation notices, citations and reports.
• Ability to perform work consistent with the Town's goals of establishing and maintaining quality community services through cost-effective, customer-friendly service delivery.
• Ability to use a personal computer and standard office software.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with public officials, employees, property owners and their representatives, and the general public, including in situations involving conflict or resistance to enforcement.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

CAZEO Certification desirable, or attainable within two years of appointment;

Must possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

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

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and locations under study, as well as properties subject to blight investigation, which may occasionally include unsanitary or hazardous conditions requiring appropriate precautions and, where necessary, coordination with Police or Fire personnel. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

Salary Information $30.00 - $33.00 per hour (DOQ)

Full-Time/Part-Time Part-Time

Position Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer

Open Date 9/15/2026

This position is currently accepting applications.