ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

Description

This position administers the City’s zoning ordinance that regulates the use and development of land within City limits; supervises the enforcement of all provisions of the zoning ordinance; issues appropriate permits and certificates for all construction or change in use of land, and performs related professional, administrative and supervisory work as required. The incumbent works within broad policy and organizational guidelines and does independent planning and implementation, reporting progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.

The work is considered light and involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, grasping, hearing, mental acuity, speaking, talking, and visual acuity.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, traffic; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities and needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Administers the programs and operations of the Zoning Division of the Planning and Development Services Department, ensuring division compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations;
• Supervises division professional, technical and support staff; supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting new employees; allocating personnel; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge;
• Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Interprets, administers and enforces all adopted regulatory codes and ordinances pertaining to zoning; meets with engineers, contractors, developers, property owners and others to discuss zoning issues;
• Evaluates the existing zoning ordinance and recommends changes as appropriate; updates zoning maps as appropriate;
• Oversees zoning enforcement processes, including variance requests, special exception requests, administrative appeals, etc.;
• Reviews and analyzes the impact of development proposals on parking, traffic, pedestrian safety, infrastructure, environment, urban design and other factors; proposes creative conditions or alternatives to ameliorate concerns stemming from such analyses;
• Enforces and promotes compliance with all provisions of the zoning ordinance, including signage, front-yard parking, over-occupancy, illegal dwelling units, etc.;
• Writes and disseminates legal notices to ensure due process of development review;
• Issues appropriate permits and certificates for all construction or change of use of land;
• Attends meetings of and provides administrative and technical support to the Development Review Team, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission and City Council;
• Supervises the preparation and maintenance of accurate and up-to-date division records;
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes;
• Participates in division marketing and public relations efforts; makes public presentations to inform the public about division projects and programs;
• Assists in coordinating division activities and functions with those of other City divisions, departments, counties and outside agencies as appropriate;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility;
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, conducting and attending meetings, approving department payroll, etc.;
• Procures division supplies and equipment as needed;
• Attends training, conferences, seminars, meetings, etc. to enhance job knowledge and skills and maintain certifications; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, landscape architecture, architecture, public administration, law or closely related field;
• Six (6) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes;
• Ability to synthesize or integrate analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations;
• Ability to negotiate, exchanging ideas, information and opinions with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions or solutions;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform work involving the application of logical principles and thinking to solve practical problems within or applying to a unit or division of the organization;
• Ability to read journals, manuals and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, the general public, people in other organizations; presenting training; composing original reports, training and other written materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar and style;
• Ability to perform professional-level work requiring the application of scientific, engineering, accounting or legal methods in the solution of technical, administrative or legal problems; requires extensive understanding of operating policies and procedures and ability to apply these to complex problems; or the coordination of sub professional work in these disciplines; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results and frequent exposure to unusual pressures; and
• Ability to make decisions, affecting a large segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment; responsible to assist in developing policy and practices.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.






































To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
https://hr.columbiasc.gov/benefits/