Zoning Technician

Town of Merrimack; Merrimack (NH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Merrimack seeks a highly responsible planning and zoning professional to support the Community Development Department in guiding land use planning and development objectives. You will provide administrative and technical support to the Community Development Director and Planning & Zoning Administrator.

You will investigate violations, review site plans, and assist land use boards, with duties including preparing agendas, notices, and minutes, and coordinating development review

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Regional or Community Planning or a related field.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in zoning enforcement or as a planner.

Responsibilities

• Investigates zoning violations and enforces compliance.
• Reviews site plans for drainage, paving, lighting, and landscaping to ensure compliance with approved plans.
• Supports the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission; prepares agendas, notices, memos, and minutes.
• Maintains and processes land use permit applications and decisions; coordinates with departments and non-Town agencies.
• Coordinates development review processes, ensuring statutory compliance and preparing staff reports.
• Reviews Administrative Approval applications including commercial tenant changes and minor site modifications.

Skills

Land use knowledge

Effective communication

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Regional or Community Planning

Job description

This is a highly responsible position implementing the planning and zoning processes of the Town. Individual provides administrative and technical support, as required and directed, to the Community Development Director and Planning & Zoning Administrator in overseeing the overall land use planning and development objectives of the Community Development Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Individual works under the general direction of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, performing work in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Assists with organization and oversight for the successful implementation of the Department’s internal policies and procedures relating to the support of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and other land use boards as necessary. All work is performed in conjunction with other staff and under the general supervision of the Planning & Zoning Administrator and Community Development Director. (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.)

1. Investigates alleged site plan and zoning violations, and composes letters of violation, tracks violation progress and conducts enforcement activities to bring violations into compliance.
2. Inspects completed commercial/industrial sites to verify that drainage, pavement, lighting and landscaping are in compliance with approved plans.
3. Attends meetings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and occasionally the Planning Board and Conservation Commission, as assigned by the Community Development Director, and acts as a Department resource to such boards and committees.
4. Administratively supports the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission, including the preparation of agendas, legal notices, memos, letters of decision, and meeting minutes.
5. Reviews sign applications for zoning compliance prior to permit issuance by the Building Division and attends interdepartmental meetings regarding construction and development related activities.
6. Under the direction of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, carries out the development review process including coordinating all land use board actions, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements, and preparing staff and department reports for submittal to land use boards, other boards and departments, and non-Town agencies.
7. Under the direction of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, reviews Applications for Administrative Approval, including commercial tenant changes, minor site modifications, accessory dwelling units and home occupations.
8. Under the direction of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, coordinates approval conditions, stipulations and requirements; and reviews final site and subdivision plans and documents for compliance and accuracy. Processes required legal documents related to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment decisions and actions.
9. Conducts research related to land use applications, including site visits, as needed and directed by the Community Development Director or Planning & Zoning Administrator.
10. Maintains, examines, reviews and processes all required documents and records according to Department policies and procedures.
11. Works with the department support staff to maintain accurate records of land use permit applications and decisions; and prepares periodic reports as needed to meet the Department’s statutory and internal reporting requirements.
12. Acts as the Department’s liaison for GID-related activities, as needed.
13. Performs other related duties as required.

Individual shall be knowledgeable in land use matters such as planning, zoning and other matters pertinent to the local government environment, be skilled in working with the public and their concerns, be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and possess a valid driver's license. Bachelor's Degree in Urban, Regional or Community Planning or a related field (such as geography, public administration, or other similar field). At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in zoning enforcement or as a planner in a municipality, regional commission, or state agency, or any equivalent combination of education and experience deemed sufficient by the hiring managers to be compatible with the requirements of the position.