NBF-ZnSp-DCI Zoning Specialist

SALARY: up to $60,000-$64,000 per year

POSITION SUMMARY: The Zoning Specialist (ZS) assists the Zoning Administrator in administering, regulating, monitoring, and enforcing land use ordinances, including the zoning ordinance. The ZS makes recommendations to the South Bend Plan Commission and the South Bend Board of Zoning Appeals.

As a leader and employee of the City of South Bend, you are called upon to serve in a manner that supports Our Core Values: Excellence, Accountability, Innovation, Inclusion, and Empowerment as you carry out our primary employee expectations: Champion Values & Organizational Pride, Champion Operational Excellence, Make Sound Decisions, Embrace Coaching and Accountability, Communicate with Excellence, Value Diverse People and Perspectives, Embrace Personal Development, Exhibit a Positive Attitude and Own Your Health, Wellness & Safety

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Not applicable.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals by explaining policies, procedures, objectives, and actions on specific cases according to legal requirements. Responds to inquiries, provides technical assistance, and assists in the preparation and distribution of minutes, agenda, meeting notices, related documents, and reports as required
• Interprets and applies knowledge of zoning regulations and comprehensive plan to applications, such as rezoning, variances, special exceptions, improvement location permits, and appeals
• Assists in preparation of zoning certifications and permits, including researching computer records, codes, and maps, reviewing documentation, inspecting sites as needed, and explaining procedures and legal requirements • Reviews land development and subdivision proposals for compliance with land use ordinances
• Manage the zoning enforcement process
• Analyzes sign permits against applicable development regulations
• Responds to inquiries and investigates formal complaints of non-compliance with land use codes, including reviewing site plans, making on-site visits, measuring setbacks, calculating areas, ensuring compliance with ordinances, researching computer and printed records, and explaining procedures and legal requirements
• Represents Plan Commission at various meetings and serves as a commission liaison to related agencies, including Building Department, Business Development, Public Works, Fire Department, and Police Department and those at other levels of government
• Periodically reviews ordinances for possible amendments as needed
• Conducts special projects and studies as needed
• Schedules and attends meetings and hearings, including those outside of normal working hours
• Assists in maintaining current and permanent records of minutes, zoning ordinances, maps, amendments, variances, appeals, permits, applications, and other files for public access 2
• Assists property owners, developers, neighborhood organizations and the general public as needed to answer questions on zoning and subdivisions, assist in the completion of forms/applications, and resolve problems
• Develops and maintains public information, including website, to inform individuals, developers, and the media of regulations and processes
• Maintains current knowledge of land use regulations and issues by reading professional publications and occasionally attending training seminars and conferences to integrate ideas and concepts into planning activities

NON-ESSENTIAL/MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

• Additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, urban design or related field
• Two years experience in zoning and land use planning a plus, AICP a plus

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY:

• Must have or be able to obtain an excellent understanding of the South Bend Zoning Ordinance.
• Ability to read, interpret, and explain zoning and subdivision ordinances, property legal descriptions, plat maps, floodplain maps, and aerial photos
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of ordinances, policies and procedures, subdivision control, land development, and urban design
• Ability to interact with a highly charged public environment.
• Ability to interact with Attorneys, Architects, Engineers and the public.
• Ability to effectively manage the work day, multiple projects and deadlines, and be attuned to the importance of the attention to detail.
• Must be self-motivated, pleasant, professional demeanor and ability to work with contractors, developers, and property owners
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and the ability to prepare detailed reports, public presentations, and clear written correspondence.
• Must be able to lead and achieve goals set by department concerning budgeting, tracking and management.
• Must have upper level experience with Excel, Word, and Outlook and a working knowledge of GIS.
• Working Knowledge of Abode InDesign and Illustrator preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENCE, REGISTRATION: • Valid driver’s license required.

EQUIPMENT: Desktop Computer, Laptop Computer; Telephone, Automobile, Copy Machine, Digital Camera, and Associated Software. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to wait on customers at counter for extended periods of time, stand, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools and controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in both office and field settings, with moderate inside temperatures and outside in all types of weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in the office and loud in the field. Entire office is smoke free.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

REQUIRED: Pre-Employment Drug Screen

Background Check

Equal Opportunity Employer