Zoning Code Enforcement Officer

Stanly County; Albemarle (NC); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanly County in North Carolina seeks a zoning enforcement professional to interpret and enforce land use ordinances, perform field inspections, and respond to nuisance complaints. You will issue notices and work with property owners toward compliance.

The role requires strong knowledge of zoning codes, solid documentation skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with the public. Expect indoor and outdoor work, occasional meetings, and a focus on safety and accuracy.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; progressive code enforcement experience preferred.
• Experience interpreting and enforcing zoning and land use ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Perform land use and zoning inspections to ensure code compliance.
• Investigate potential code violations and issue notices or citations.
• Maintain detailed inspection files with explanations, photos and communications.
• Review site plans and perform floodplain reviews for compliance.
• Process and issue zoning, floodplain and other permits.
• Research property ownership for violation notifications and notices.
• Attend Planning Board/Board of Adjustment meetings as needed.

Skills

Code enforcement

Zoning knowledge

Site inspections

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Reading maps/plans

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Performs responsible technical and administrative work in the interpretation and enforcement of adopted County zoning codes and ordinances pertaining to property use and public nuisances. An employee in this class performs specialized technical work enforcing land use ordinances, including zoning, subdivision, watershed protection, floodplain, and minimum housing, to ensure compliance with County codes and regulations. Work involves interpreting and explaining adopted zoning codes and ordinances; conducting frequent field inspections to determine compliance of properties with land use and zoning codes; responding to zoning violations and nuisance complaints; issuing notices of violations or citations for non-compliance; collaborating with property owners to resolve violations; performing zoning permit inspections; reviewing site plans for compliance with ordinances; responding to questions and explaining ordinance requirements; issuing and processing zoning permits; and preparing and maintaining records and files of permits, inspections, and monthly reports. The work involves frequent public contact and technical expertise, responding to questions and explaining zoning ordinances. Tact, courtesy, and firmness must be exercised in dealing with property owners and the general public. Work subjects the employee to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions and extreme temperatures.

Starting pay is $51,016 or DOQInterprets and enforces zoning and land use ordinances including minimum housing, subdivision, watershed protection and floodplain ordinances; provides information and responds to questions explaining technical ordinance requirements.

• Performs land use and zoning site inspections and re-inspections of commercial and residential properties to ensure code compliance.
• Conducts field investigations and site inspections to assess possible code violations; collaborates with property owners to resolve violations; issues warning notices, letters and citations for violations; conducts follow-up investigations and re-inspections to ensure code compliance until cases are resolved.
• Develops and maintains detailed inspection files with violation explanations, communications and actions taken, photographs, and other related documents and information.
• Reviews site plans of commercial building projects for compliance with land use codes and ordinances; performs flood plain review.
• Reviews zoning permit applications; processes and issues zoning, floodplain, and other land use permits.
• Researches legal information for property owners; locates property ownership information for the purpose of property violation notifications and issuing legal notices.
• Prepares and maintains program and department files and records; prepares reports as requested.
• Conducts annual inspections on mobile home parks, cell tower sites, solar farms.
• Answers the department telephone and assists customers in person, by email, and over the telephone with inquiries and information regarding zoning and land use ordinances and related permitting processes.
• May attend Planning Board and/or Board of Adjustment meetings for special use permits or variance requests; answers questions of board members as needed.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs related duties as required.
• Considerable knowledge of code enforcement principles, practices and methods as applicable to county and local government.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, standards and regulations relating to various land use and nuisance codes.
• Working knowledge of the methods, policies, and procedures for issuing notices and of documenting, reporting, and file management techniques.
• Working knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques in case management.
• Skill in interpreting ordinances and regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications.
• Ability to understand and utilize zoning maps, land use maps, plat maps and other documents related to real property.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to identify violations.
• Ability to use effective conflict management methods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public and to advise on standard compliance methods.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, special populations, employees, supervisors and officials
• Graduation from high school and progressively responsible code enforcement or relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s license.
• Certified Zoning Officer Certification.
• Floodplain Manager Certification
• Certified minimum housing code inspector