The Zoning Administrator performs intermediate professional and difficult administrative work interpreting and enforcing the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, processing site and subdivision plans; reviewing and analyzing rezoning and conditional use permits, and working on changes to codes and ordinances; and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Planning and Building. Divisional supervision may be required over some personnel within the division.
The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/VTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions
Writes Zoning Administrator determinations and verifications in a timely fashion when requested; writes official Zoning Interpretations in a timely fashion when needed to clarify how a zoning/subdivision regulation is to be interpreted and enforced
Provides staff support to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Supervises investigation of violations of the Zoning Ordinance, working with the Zoning Inspector and Codes Compliance Coordinator
Writes violation letters and works with the violator to gain compliance, pursues civil penalties or court judgments as necessary
Provides guidance and assistance to the Zoning Inspector and Codes Compliance Coordinator when questions arise regarding zoning inspections, zoning permits, sign permits, storage container permits, home occupations, and others as needed
Performs reviews and provides oversight for the review of site plans, boundary lot line revisions, vacations, and subdivisions
Coordinates reviews with and trains staff for zoning compliance reviews of building permits
Processes permits as referred to by permit technicians
Works closely with Building Official, Building Inspectors, and other Planning review staff during the building plan review and construction stage of the development process to ensure zoning compliance
Processes public hearings applications, including conditional use permits, rezonings, right-of-way vacations, or others
Reviews application for completeness
Schedules and facilitates meetings
Provides analysis and staff reports
Performs site visits
Prepares and gives public hearing presentations at Planning Commission and Town Council work sessions and public hearings
Provides answers to citizens, current property owners, prospective property owners, developers, contractors, realtors, surveyors, appraisers, and property managers
Discuss land use subjects, including zoning, public hearing processes, development issues, and land use history questions
Educates the public regarding enforcement items, including speaking with current property owners and tenants, property management groups, business owners, and developers
Responsible for Agricultural and Forestal District (AFD) related cases, including withdrawals, additions, and encroachments in the district
Comprehensive knowledge of the Town’s Zoning and Land Use Ordinances
Ability to read and interpret plans and to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances
Thorough knowledge of legal procedures related to the enforcement of laws, ordinances, and regulations
Ability to enforce ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality
Ability to solve problems within the scope of responsibility
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with design professionals, contractors, associates, and the general public
Must be able to communicate complex issues or processes in a simple, easy-to-understand manner
Ability to organize technical information and prepare well-written staff reports
Able to manage complex and demanding work tasks with a high level of technical and communication skills
Ability to perform site inspections and report findings
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree with coursework in planning or urban development, or related field. Master’s degree preferred
Must have five to seven years of experience working in public planning and zoning
Special Requirements
Must obtain the Certified Zoning Administrator certification within one year
Must obtain AICP within two years of AICP eligibility
A valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record is required
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force
Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, lifting and repetitive motions
Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, and color perception;
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles, or occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)
