Zoning Enforcement Officer / Inland Wetlands Agent

Title: Zoning Enforcement Officer/Inland Wetlands Agent

DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

General Description

This position has the responsibility for making difficult decisions pertaining to code enforcement work involving the inspection of commercial, residential, industrial and open space properties to assure Land Use and Inland Wetlands Compliance. This position also has the responsibility for making difficult decisions pertaining to code enforcement, particularly as they relate to the time frame allowed for corrective measures. This work requires that the employee have considerable knowledge of the Zoning and Inland Wetlands Regulations

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Planning & Development

Supervision Exercised

None.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Refers apparent zoning violations and/or building, health, safety and fire hazards to appropriate departments for their action, as well as addressing those violations as per the City's Land Use Regulations. Reviews, researches and investigates violations of the City's Land Use Regulations. Notifies responsible parties of effects and issues written or oral instructions for corrections. Conducts follow-up inspection to monitor compliance. Makes referrals to Corporation Counsel as warranted.

Reviews zoning variances and special exception applications, site and engineering plans for compliance with municipal zoning regulations.

Makes telephone and personal contacts to schedule appointments with property owners. Provides information and guidance to members of the office regarding code complaints.

Keeps records and unites reports of inspections performance, actions taken and corrections secured. Prepares letters regarding violations and other related issues.

Prepares affidavits regarding code violations. Collaborates with City's legal staff regarding code cases and testifies in court. Makes follow-up inspections when so directed by the court.

Must be able to review Zoning Board of Appeals and Inland Wetlands Application and attend meetings if required by staff.

Coordinates zoning enforcement activities with other municipal enforcement departments. Provides information on zoning ordinances and enforcement to municipal officials and the public.

May testify in court on zoning and inland wetland matters.

Maintains files including reports, warning letters and statistical reports for the Zoning Board of Appeals and may provide technical assistance and staff support to that body.

Nonessential Duties

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Good knowledge of the provisions of government codes pertaining to zoning and code enforcement procedures.

Good knowledge of zoning enforcement principles, practices and relevant ordinances, state laws and regulations.

Some knowledge of building construction practices, materials and standards.

Considerable ability to enforce regulations with firmness and tact.

Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, associates, property owners, other agencies and public.

Good ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Qualifications

College Graduate or High school graduate, plus five years of zoning code enforcement experience, Certification from CAZEO ( Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers) and or Certification from DEEP (Department of Environmental Energy Protection or course work relating to Inland Wetlands. Course work/Knowledge in Land use law, planning, geography, environmental sciences.

Special Requirements

Must have a valid Connecticut driver's license and be able to meet the statutory requirements for obtaining a CAZEO Certification

Tools and Equipment Used

Motor vehicle, computer, printer, electrical tester, telephone, still and video camera and safety equipment such as hard hat and safety glasses.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed both in an office setting, outdoors, and at housing site locations, commerical and retail facilities and industrial settings. Field work is required in the inspection of housing sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. When the employee is working inside housing units unfavorable conditions involving dirt, smells, lighting, cold, heat, dampness, and air circulation can frequently range from moderately to severely uncomfortable. There is also the risk of coming into contact with communicable disease and carelessly discarded needles of drug users. Occasionally the employee may encounter hostile owners, tenants and vagrants occupying structures.

General Guidelines

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of West Haven is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer