Zoning Technician na Spotsylvania County, VA

About the Department

Under general supervision, provides customer service, administrative support, and review of plat applications and zoning applications in the Zoning Division of the Department. Work involves processing applications, setting up files, routing information to the appropriate parties, reviewing plats, plans, and legal documents, providing policy and zoning information to customers, and following up with customers for additional information as needed. Reports to the Zoning Manager.

Position Duties

• Receives and processes all zoning applications and requests for zoning confirmation and determination letters through email or in person. Ensures all documentation is obtained and follows up with designated contacts if needed for the Zoning Plans Reviewer to have a complete application packet for a thorough review. Creates a review in Trak-It once the application is deemed complete and assigns the application to the Plans Reviewer.
• Uses the TrakIt, Circuit Court, ILS, AS400, and GIS system to review family exempt divisions, annual exempt divisions, boundary line adjustment plats, Home Occupation and Home Enterprise applications, and accelerated and over-the-counter building permits.
• Responds to incoming zoning calls and email inquiries regarding a wide variety of questions, such as permitting process, application requirements, zoning codes, and application status, using the Zoning Ordinance or other internal standard operating procedures. If unable to respond, forwards to the correct zoning team member for response. 
• Receives zoning complaints by email or in person. Creates a complaint in TrakIt, compiles necessary information regarding the complaint, and then assigns an inspection for the Zoning Code Enforcement Officer.
• Assists with research of code enforcement cases as needed by Code Enforcement Officers, Zoning Manager, or Zoning Administrator. 
• Assists the Zoning Manager with record keeping and creation of working files for rezoning and special use cases. 
• Serves as administrative backup to the Zoning Manager in her absence.
• Attends and takes minutes for the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) monthly meetings.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent with one (1) to two (2) years of experience providing administrative support in an office environment and basic knowledge of land use, legal document review, and/or zoning principles; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Other Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, and land development.
• Basic knowledge of County zoning and subdivision ordinances, State Codes, standards, policies, and procedures pertaining to the review and approval of plats and zoning permits.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used to provide clerical and administrative support. 
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County. 
• Ability to use computer-driven word processing, spreadsheets, and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to read and interpret plats and associated application materials.
• Ability to explain orally and in writing the processes and interpretations of zoning policies and practices.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with landowners, developers, governmental officials, and the public.
• Ability to utilize basic mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and perform calculations involving variables, formulas, and polynomials.  
• Ability to provide assistance and information to people submitting applications, inquiring about Department programs and processes, and/or following up on the status of submitted applications. 
• Ability to prepare correspondence and reports. 
• Ability to interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to resolve problems and questions. 
• Ability to maintain a variety of complex records. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, both professionally and respectfully. 
• Ability to establish effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and directions from the immediate supervisor.
• Ability to read plats, maps, applications, correspondence, manuals, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instruction. Must be adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment, including a computer, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly, to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for light work. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately when using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving the nature of sounds by ear).