GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, provides services relating to zoning, current planning, and related subjects. Reports to the Assistant Director of Planning.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reviews applications for business licenses, change in use requests, physical surveys, permits, etc. to ensure current city zoning ordinances are applied and enforced. Issues zoning clearances for business licenses.

Performs detailed records research of land use for properties using multiple record sources; reconstructs land use histories of site for proper application of relevant codes and regulations involved in review and issuance of applications for Use Permits, rezoning, zoning permits, etc.

Receives and responds to a variety of applications and inquiries from contractors, developers, surveyors, real estate agents, and the public while providing superior customer service.

Assists the Zoning Administrator with preparation of reports and materials for the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Prepares routine reports, manuals, and memos; summarizes, reviews and prepares permit data for monthly and annual reporting; facilitates and coordinates daily operations with internal and external staff members.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Work: Has some knowledge of the administrative practices and procedures relative to zoning. Has some knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing zoning. Has some knowledge in reading and interpreting zoning maps and ordinances, physical surveys, local and State code books, local policy and procedure manuals. Is able to prepare technical reports. Is able to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within division and department, and with the public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under “Essential Job Functions.”

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and pre-scribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the administrative, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with minimum supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Uses independent judgment to resolve complaints and inquiries. Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice, and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all division employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Associate's degree in Urban Planning, Construction Management, Public Administration, or a related field, and six months to 1 year of experience in zoning administration, urban planning, or related field; or any related education and experience that provides the experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

Certification as a Certified Zoning Official (CZO) is preferred. Certification as a Zoning Official (CZO) from the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials is required within two (2) years from date of hire.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery and engineering tools including, calculators, facsimiles and engineering scales. Requires the ability to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally to push or pull file cabinets. Physical requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors and advising the public on divisional policies.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of survey results, civil engineering reports, zoning ordinances and permits. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form, and work with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including civil engineering terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, utilize decimals and percentages, interpret graphs, and perform calculations involving variables, formulas square roots and polynomials.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to interpret a variety of graphs, zoning maps, physical survey results, architectural plans, etc. to ensure the compliance to city policies.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and occasionally surveying tools.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as engineering and architectural tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing form one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Requires the ability to adapt to situations requiring the precise attainment of set limits, tolerances, or standards.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

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