Senior Planner

Zoning Enforcement Specialist

To perform intermediate technical and administrative work interpreting and enforcing zoning ordinances, land use and development ordinances, and the City's environmental codes; does related work as required. Supervision over permitting personnel and code related activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing all residential and commercial permit applications for development from land owners, developers, and surveyors to verify zoning and land use code compliance, set back lines, lot coverage, easements, encroachments, and floodways; reviews sketch plans, preliminary subdivision review, and final plat approval; issues permits as required
• Responding to complaints related to zoning code violations; issues code violation notices and citations if required; prepares and maintains files and records
• Providing explanations and interpretation of zoning codes for the public; responds to citizen complaints regarding high grass, junk or abandoned vehicles, rodent infestations, etc
• Investigating, documenting, and notifying property owners of zoning code violations; explains the nature of violations and actions needed to void the violation; offers options and guidelines for project development and nuisance abatement
• Identifying development or policy changes that may occur regarding public and private land use; provides citizens and land owners with information on parcels in floodplain designation as a means of reducing flood risk and protecting natural resources; maintains appropriate logs of floodplain inquiries and documentation; produces digital flood maps for the public
• Meets with land owners/developers/agents about potential rezoning of property; reviews applications for completeness and provides comments and additional requirements to the petitioner to meet code requirements
• Prepares and presents agenda items to the Planning Board and Board of Adjustments; reviews minutes for content and accuracy before submission
• Serves as a member of the City's Technical Review Committee for new subdivisions and commercial development; serves as department representative for City functions and various community meetings
• Provides administrative functions to City management in the areas of economic development
• Performs related duties as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of land use zoning
• Thorough knowledge of the various state, federal, and municipal codes and regulations for land use and zoning
• Thorough knowledge of the City's various environmental codes
• General knowledge of legal procedures related to the enforcement of ordinances and codes
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, site plans, and designs
• Ability to enforce ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality
• Ability to present results of field inspections and research
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, developers, attorneys, government officials, and representatives of other agencies

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, or a related field with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. Master's Degree Preferred, holds AICP Certification or obtain within 1 year of employment. Special Requirements: Valid NC driver's license (without restrictions)

Physical Requirements: This work is primarily sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Work requires kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas and information by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive and comprehend information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications, and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. Visual acuity is required for peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. Working Conditions: The employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. Employees in this class are often required to meet with property owners, developers, and construction companies in offices as well as on land sites in which the zoning applies. Proper use of clothing and foot protection is required to minimize change of injury due to walking over uneven ground, potential construction sites, areas near protected lands, and wetlands.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to a workplace free from discrimination, in compliance with federal and North Carolina employment laws.

The City of Havelock provides excellent compensation and benefits for its employees. Some of the benefits are listed below:

Paid Holidays: The City of Havelock provides up to nine (9) paid holidays per year for its regular employees. 11 total paid days.

Health and Dental Insurance: The city provides comprehensive major medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for all full-time employees. Employees may elect coverage for dependents at an additional cost through payroll deduction. Coverage begins after ninety (90) days of employment. The health insurance also includes a prescription plan.

Workers' Compensation Insurance: All City of Havelock employees are covered by the city for on-the-job injuries at no cost to the employee.

Life Insurance/Short Term Disability: Group Life insurance is provided to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. The amount of coverage is $40,000 Life and $40,000 AD&D. The City of Havelock also covers full-time employees with a short-term disability plan.

Additional Insurance: The City of Havelock makes several payroll deduction programs available to its employees who wish to participate in additional types of insurance programs; such as supplemental life, cancer, Hospital Indemnity Plan (HIP), accident, intensive care coverage and long-term disability.

Local Government Retirement Plan: Employees become members of the State Retirement System on the first day of employment. Membership is mandatory and requires a six percent (6%) contribution by the employee. The City of Havelock also makes a substantial contribution to each employee's account. An employee becomes vested after five (5) years of creditable service in the retirement system.

401(k) Supplemental Retirement Plan: 401(k) is a supplemental retirement program administered by Empower Retirement. Participation in the 401(k) program is an easy and voluntary way to accumulate money for retirement via payroll deduction. The City of Havelock makes contributions equal to 5% of salary to each employee's retirement account. There is no match required.

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: Employees may contribute a certain amount of their pay into the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. All contributions are pre-taxed.

Civil Leave: Regular employees who are called to jury duty or subpoenaed as a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding are granted up to two weeks of leave with pay.

Sick Leave: Employees earn approximately eight (8) sick leave hours per month, with no maximum accumulation. Upon retirement, each twenty (20) days of sick leave benefits may be applied toward retirement.

Annual Leave: Employees earn approximately eight (8) annual leave hours per month. Annual Leave is pro-rated according to years of service. The maximum accumulation of Annual Leave is 240 hours. Any accumulated annual leave balance over 240 hours, 318 hours for fire shift personnel, and 252 hours for police shift personnel. Hours above the amounts as of the end of the pay period which includes December 31st, will be converted to sick leave.

Military Leave: Regular employees who are members of any branch of the United States Armed Forces Reserves are granted up to ten (10) paid working days per calendar year for military training. During this period employees continue to earn and accrue benefits. Employees are entitled to all job rights specified by the USERRA.

Funeral Leave: Two days of funeral leave is granted to regular, full-time employees per occurrence for the death of the affected employee's immediate family.

Flexible Spending Account: A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a great way for employees to save money to use toward medical and/or dependent care expenses. Every dollar contributed to a FSA is on a pre-tax basis.