Zoning Inspector

Hamilton, Ohio; Hamilton (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Holidays

Life Insurance

Voluntary Supplemental Benefits

Deferred Compensation Plan

Retirement Plans

Job summary

City of Hamilton is seeking a Zoning Inspector to enforce the Hamilton Zoning Ordinance and related codes. The successful candidate will inspect properties, evaluate land use, and coordinate with Planning staff to maintain compliance across multiple municipal codes.

The role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of zoning and property maintenance codes, and the ability to handle complex cases with independent judgment under supervision by the Planning Director.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and a valid driver's license required.
• Minimum of four years of code enforcement and/or zoning experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Planning or related field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of zoning and property maintenance codes.

Responsibilities

• Review and initiate zoning code violations and conduct inspections.
• Enforce zoning, vacant property, and property maintenance codes as needed.
• Conduct field investigations and determine remediation strategies.
• Respond to public inquiries and explain regulations clearly.
• Use City software to track cases and maintain records.
• Coordinate joint inspections with other city staff as required.
• Prepare non-compliance cases for penalties and testify in court if needed.
• Explain zoning requirements to property owners and contractors.
• Review development plans for compliance with the zoning ordinance.

Skills

Communication skills

Zoning knowledge

Analytical thinking

Public relations

Education

High School Diploma

Valid Driver's License

Bachelor's Degree in Planning or related field

Tools

City software

Job description

General Description
The City of Hamilton is an EEO & AAE. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
This position serves as the City of Hamilton’s primary Zoning Code enforcement official but also will serve as a unified compliance officer responsible for inspecting, investigating, and enforcing all relevant municipal code regulations across the City of Hamilton. The primary responsibility of the Zoning Inspector will be to enforce the Hamilton Zoning Ordinance. Additionally, the Zoning Inspector will serve in a code enforcement leadership role that will require enforcement of the Vacant Property Registration, Property Maintenance Code, and the Right-of-Way Ordinance. Duties include evaluating land use, zoning compliance, right-of-way obstructions/encroachments, and property maintenance issues. Work is performed under general supervision from the Planning Director with leeway granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The position requires exceptional communication skills to establish and maintain close cooperative working relationships with property owners, business owners, residents, interdepartmental City staff, and external public agencies.
Essential Job Functions

• Reviews, receives, and initiates Zoning Code violations, conducting inspections for zoning ordinance violations, interviewing suspected violators and determining the scope and nature of suspected violations.
• Enforces Zoning Code, Vacant Property Registration, Property Maintenance Code, and the Right-of-Way Ordinance as needed, especially when a property is being inspected for violations across multiple municipal codes.
• Conducts field investigations and evaluates property conditions to determine the best approach to facilitate compliance. Selects appropriate remediation strategies ranging from courtesy notifications and voluntary compliance agreements to formal orders or legal citations.
• Responds to and addresses public inquiries, questions, and complaints with tact and diplomacy;
• Explains complex zoning regulations, property maintenance standards, and Right-of-Way ordinances to property owners, tenants, contractors, and the general public;
• Utilizes relevant City software and databases to track cases and keep organized case records;
• Coordinates joint inspections with Property Maintenance Code Compliance Officers, Building Officials, Hamilton Police Officers, and other City staff when required;
• Cites violations as necessary, preparing non-compliance cases for relevant penalties, including filing charges against violators and testifying in court to secure compliance if necessary. This work requires strong collaboration with the Law Department;
• Responds to inquiries from the public, contractors, and architects for information on the zoning of property and related requirements for zoning ordinance compliance;
• Reviews and evaluates development plans for compliance with the City's zoning ordinance and prepares related reports and recommendations;
• Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and authorized;
• Performs related work as required.

Skills/Knowledges/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the City's zoning ordinance;
• Knowledge of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and common Right-of-Way violations;
• Demonstrated capability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Skilled in active listening, de-escalating tense interpersonal conflicts, and explaining complex municipal codes in accessible terms;
• Strong critical thinking and analytical capabilities to assess complex code enforcement issues;
• Effective organizational skills to manage a large caseload;
• Ability to use logical thought processes to develop solutions;
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Training/Education/Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) (will be verified for finalists); and
• Valid Driver’s License (will be verified for finalists); and
• A minimum of four (4) years of work experience involving code enforcement and/or zoning; or
• A minimum of one (1) year of work experience involving code enforcement and/or zoning; and
• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Communications, Public Administration, Public Health, Criminal Justice, or related field.

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan.
Temporary and part-time positions are not eligible for the benefits listed below.
For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

Health Insurance

The City offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage. The medical plan is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) to help cover eligible healthcare expenses. Health insurance coverage begins on your date of hire.

Holidays

For many employee groups, the City provides 17 days (136 hours/year) of paid holiday leave. These include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Life Insurance

After six months of employment, employees are eligible for $10,000 coverage under our group life insurance policy. Additional coverage up to the employee's annual salary ($40,000 maximum) may be purchased. Upon retirement this coverage will be reduced to $4,000. The premiums will be paid by the City.

Voluntary Supplemental Benefits

Life insurance (term and whole life), critical illness/cancer, accident, short / long term disability insurance

Deferred Compensation Plan

This plan allows employees to build a financial reserve for retirement by using pre-tax, payroll deducted contributions. This money is held and invested by the plan's trustees in options selected by the employee. Risk levels vary depending on the options chosen. Participation is voluntary.

Retirement Plans

The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and the Police and Fire Disability and Pension Fund (PFDPF) are the two plans available to City employees. Both are established by Ohio law and participation is required. Both the employee and the City of Hamilton contribute a percentage (pre-tax) into the system. Members do not pay into the Federal Social Security System. Employees and the City also contribute to Medicare.

EMPLOYEES WHO ARE COVERED BY A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA) MAY HAVE BENEFITS THAT DIFFER FROM THOSE NOTED ABOVE. IN THOSE INSTANCES, YOU MUST REFER TO THE CBA FOR SPECIFIC BENEFIT DETAILS. THIS LISTING IS NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE, BUT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW.