Description
Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to serve a growing community? Are you able to provide exceptional customer service and take a proactive approach fulfilling our mission? Do you enjoy researching and reviewing documents? Does being out in the field assessing for compliance and helping to maintain the community presence and development excite you?
If you answered yes, your genuine care for others, solutions-focused drive and technical skillset could be a great addition to our Facilities Construction and Field Services Department as a Development Compliance Official! The Development Compliance Official (DCO) performs difficult administrative and compliance work enforcing Cary's zoning code, Community Appearance requirements and Land Development Ordinance (LDO). Additionally, DCO’s operate with independence and initiative, and exhibit skill in innovative problem solving while working cooperatively with the public and Town departments.
With excellence and innovation in its DNA, Cary is a growing, thriving community of over 187,000 people representing more than 60 nationalities at the heart of central North Carolina’s renowned Triangle region. Cary is consistently ranked among the most-desirable places to live, work, have fun, and do business in the United States. It holds a reputation for its safe neighborhoods, network of bike-friendly parks and greenways, environmental stewardship, robust business climate, and premier amateur sports venues. As a government, Cary leans forward while understanding and learning from its past. Its “people first” philosophy values and encourages collaboration, experimentation, learning, and adaptation while seizing opportunities to continue making Cary a place of inspiration and possibility.
Cary offers the best benefits, which supports our diverse workforce, providing employees with choices. A competitive salary is offered depending on qualifications and experience. Our highly comprehensive total compensation package is unprecedented, allowing Cary to value and support our employee’s whole selves, and sets us apart as an employer of choice.
Typical Tasks
- Conducts site visits and makes difficult interpretations and controversial enforcements of the LDO and Code of Ordinances for residential and commercial properties;
- Conducts site inspections for residential and commercial building projects for ordinance compliance with approved development plans and revisions;
- Facilitates and approves requests by contractors and developers, and also coordinates with planners as needed, regarding changes to approved development plans;
- Monitors construction development related to approved development plans, building plans and zoning compliance requirements through all phases of work, including direct inspections, pre-construction meetings, tree protection fence walks and field meetings;
- Consults with the general public, contractors, design professionals, homeowners and other staff regarding interpretations of the LDO regulations and Community Appearance Manual requirements for development plan review and the development process;
- Works to find potential solutions to concerns related to Cary regulations, staff decisions and processes;
- Serves as liaison between designers, contractors, planners and the general public;
- Identifies potential violations (e.g. backyard chickens, home occupations, prohibited signage) and applies enforcement procedures consistent with Cary code;
- Provides research of property addresses, historical records and other related information to contractors, the general public, homeowners and other Cary staff;
- Reviews and studies construction development plans, building permits, revisions and as-built drawings;
- Provides assistance to Cary planners on various field matters;
- Receives public inquiries and complaints; investigates, and enforces compliance with the zoning code;
- Identifies solutions to code violations;
- Prepares written Notice of Violation letters and citations, when necessary;
- Maintains appropriate correspondence, exhibits and records; maintains enforcement database;
- Verifies landscaping deficiencies and manages the landscape agreements;
- Inspects curb and gutter, private sidewalks, ADA ramps, and private trails;
- Maintains inspection records, permits, plans, and related documents on files; Coordinates with planners on Planning Department review of fit-up permits;
- Assists in case preparation and offers testimony for zoning board of adjustment meetings;
- Answers questions from citizens, contractors and developers pertaining to permitted, conditional and special uses, and setback requirements;
- Reviews permits for Wake County ABC, fence and temporary signs permits; Picks up illegal signs;
- Makes binding changes to approved site plans based on field conditions and other unforeseen factors;
- Performs other job-related tasks as required.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Thorough knowledge of zoning codes, LDO, standard specifications, and other Cary ordinances; thorough knowledge of appropriate enforcement techniques; thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws regarding zoning and building administration and enforcement; general knowledge of the principles and practices and applicable laws regarding planning, subdivisions, building permits, and building code enforcement; general knowledge of landscape design and commonly used plant material, growth habits and form; general knowledge of the use of personal computers, including use of geographic information systems and preparation of presentation material; ability to interpret codes and ordinances and enforce; ability to read and interpret plans, topographic maps, specifications and blue prints; skill in contacting, communicating and negotiating with property owners, developers, and the general public and in exercising firmness and tact in the enforcement of codes and ordinances; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the public and Cary officials; ability to be consistent and fair in the exercise of effective discretion and judgment; ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
Minimum And Preferred Qualifications
Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, engineering or related field and a minimum of two years of experience in municipal planning or code enforcement.
Preference will be given to candidates that possess the following:
- Certification as a Zoning Official or as a Professional Planner (AICP)Ability to handle confrontational situations in a diplomatic manner
- Ability to read and understand construction plans and then confirm that they are being correctly implemented in the field
- Ability in the field to recognize changes from the approved plans that are significant enough to require documentation
- A working knowledge of plant material sufficient to evaluate compliance with buffer performance standards and to also offer landscaping suggestions when needed
- A general understanding of site construction processes and associated tasks
- A high attention to detail
Conditions Of Employment
- Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI finger-printing, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.
Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Regular Full-Time Employees
Learn More About Our Benefits.
Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.
Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.
All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date.
01
- Which best describes your completed level of education?
- High School Graduate
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
02
- How many years of experience do you have in municipal planning or code enforcement?
- None
- Less than 2 years
- 2-4 Years
- 5+ Years
03
- Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, engineering or a related field?
- Yes
- No
04
- Please indicate your experience with inspecting sites for compliance with zoning approvals, development regulations and approved site plans? Experience must be listed in the work history section of your application.
- None
- Some
- Considerable
- Extensive
05
- How much direct experience do you have with performing ALL of the following zoning/development plan enforcement responsibilities: (1) conducting investigations and site inspection in response to complaints, (2) comparing observations in the field with plans and written requirements, (3) discussing compliance issues with citizens and developers in person, (4) preparing written notices and citations regarding zoning/development plan violations? If yes, experience must be listed in the work history section of your application.
- None
- Some
- Considerable
- Extensive
06
- To what extent do you have detailed knowledge of various types of trees and shrubs, and the ability to recognize different species of plant material in the field? Experience must be listed in the work history section of your application.
- None
- Some
- Considerable
- Extensive
07
- What level of direct experience do you have reviewing buffers for compliance with landscape plans? If yes, experience must be listed in the work history section of your application.
- None
- Some
- Considerable
- Extensive
08
- Please list the municipalities where you have performed municipal planning or code enforcement duties.
09
- Do you currently possess any planning or zoning certifications?
- Yes
- No
10
- Do you currently possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
