Planning and Zoning Specialist

Essential Job Functions

• Receives and responds to complaints pertaining to general code violations, conducts inspections for zoning ordinance violations, interviews suspected violators, and determines the scope and nature of suspected violations;
• Approves the issuance of legal notices, cites violations as necessary, files charges against violators, files summons requests for warrants to achieve compliance with codes, when required;
• Patrols the City on periodic basis in order to ascertain zoning code violations;
• Prepares evidence and testifies in court on zoning code violation cases;
• Prepares reports, studies, maps, visuals and photographs for the Planning Commission, City Council, or for other general departmental purposes;
• Works on special projects that help advance the comprehensive plan and improve the effectiveness of the Planning Department;
• Utilizes creativity and problem solving skills to identify solutions to challenges and to propose and implement projects that would benefit the community;
• Participates in the maintenance and updating of the Official Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance;
• Attends meetings of the City's Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Architectural Design Review Board, and City Council, as requested;
• Researches county deed records, plats, easements, bond records, and other historical property information for assigned projects;
• Requests inspections for bonding and bond releases;
• Attends meetings, conferences and workshops, as requested and authorized; and
• Performs related work as required.

Skills/Knowledges/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the City's zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations;
• Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of City planning, zoning, neighborhood and commercial development and redevelopment, housing development, the design of urban areas, and community organization;
• Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations pertaining to city planning and zoning authorities and operations, to include the City Charter;
• Thorough knowledge of current flood plain regulations under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
• Skill in presenting technical information to the public in a clear, concise and easily understandable manner;
• Ability to read construction plans, working drawings and sketches;
• Ability to communicate well and establish effective working relationships with property owners, business owners, real estate developers and others to secure compliance with appropriate City planning and zoning ordinances, rules, and regulations;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and supervisory personnel;
• Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations;
• Thorough knowledge of architectural and construction terms, materials, and general practices;
• Good knowledge of real estate and economic development principles;
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard word processing, architectural, GIS and database applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically, both orally and in writing, using technical and non-technical language;
• Considerable ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to attend meetings and visit properties;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of difficult technical tasks with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and technology;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Training/Education/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and two (2) years of work experience in local government planning activities; or
• Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with an Associate's Degree in City Planning, Engineering or closely related field and one (1) year work experience in local government planning activities; or
• Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a Bachelor's Degree in City Planning, Engineering or closely related field and six (6) months of work experience in local government planning activities.

• Five (5) years of experience in local planning activities or similar experience;

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 medical, dental, and vision plans. The medical plan is a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA).If you're hired on or before the 15th of a month, your healthcare begins on the first of the next month. When you're hired after the 15th of a month, your health coverage will start on the first of the second month following.

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.