Senior Zoning Compliance Officer

The purpose of this class within the organization is for this administrative and field officer to work with the public and other staff to achieve code compliance in the areas of zoning, landscape and refuse (garbage). The officer does so by conducting field investigations to identify code violations; receiving and responding to citizen complaints; maintaining accurate and up-to-date case files; and assisting the Zoning Administrator and Director of Planning and Zoning with other duties, as necessary.

This class works under moderate supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Night Meetings as Necessary

All new employees must satisfactorily complete a background check. A conditional offer of employment may then be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: A cover letter highlighting your best qualifications should be submitted online with your application.
This is a non-exempt position.

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Essential Functions:

Pursues broad community compliance with the Town of Vienna Zoning, Landscape and Refuse codes.

Educates residents, representatives of businesses and institutions, and the broader community about components of the Town code within the department's purview.

Investigates complaints regarding potential code violations by researching property records and performing site visits to determine whether there are code compliance issues.

Coordinates with the Zoning Compliance Officer and the Zoning Administrator to scan the Town on a systematic basis to determine whether there are non-reported code violations.

Prepares and submits written notices of confirmed violations.

Provides written and verbal explanations, in a sensitive manner, of options for abating violations, including all rights and responsibilities.

Provides a "second set of eyes" for compliance-related communications by other staff.

Conducts inspections to verify compliance with conditions of approved plans and permits.

Maintains case-management files in a consistent format.

Works with the Zoning Administrator and other staff on ensuring consistency of documentation. Develops and maintains templates and standards for documents and case-management tracking.

Works with the Zoning Administrator and the Town Attorney to pursue legal action, as necessary, related to noncompliance with the Code; and, when called upon by the Town Attorney, testifies in court proceedings.

Interacts with other staff of the Department of Planning and Zoning, Department of Public Works, Department of Finance, Police Department, Town Attorney, and various Fairfax County agencies to coordinate compliance of codes and regulations.

Additional Duties:

Maintains positive relations with co-workers and customers.

Posts legal signs for the Town Boards and Commissions that the department supports.

Participates in departmental meetings and assists with department-wide initiatives, as needed.

Performs related work as assigned or necessary.

Responsibilities, Requirements and Impacts

Data and Technology Responsibility:

Data Responsibility refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations.

Gathers, organizes, analyzes, examines and/or evaluates data or information and may prescribe action based on these data or information.

Uses basis computer software, including email, word processing, and spreadsheets.

Uses computer-based case management and tracking systems.

People Responsibility:
People include co-workers, workers in other areas or agencies and the general public.

In coordination with the Zoning Administrator and Zoning Compliance Officer, establishes work procedures and duties that will apply to the Zoning Compliance unit. Maintains harmonious relations and promotes efficiency and effectiveness.

Provides information, guidance or assistance to people that directly facilitates task accomplishment.

Asset Responsibility:

Assets responsibility refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization.

Uses Town property responsibly and efficiently, including Town vehicles, tools, mobile devices, and office equipment.

Mathematical Requirements:

Mathematics requires the use of symbols, numbers and formulas to solve mathematical problems.

Interprets surveys and development plans, using computer software, to assess construction in accordance with plans and/or regulations. Uses mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, or geometric construction.

Communications Requirements:

Communications involves the ability to read, write, and speak.

Interacts in person, by telephone and by email with members of the public in a consistently professional manner.

An ability to interact sensitively, with empathy, with members of the community who have zoning violations or who are complaining about potential zoning violations of others. As needed, de-escalate conflict situations.

Composes reports, letters, and other written materials, using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style to communicate timelines, regulatory requirements and procedures.

Speaks informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, the general public, and people in other organizations.

Judgment Requirements:

Judgment requirements refer to the frequency and complexity of judgments and decisions given the stability of the work environments, the nature and type of guidance, and the breadth of impact of the judgments and decisions.

Requires regular decisions assessing compliance and the best methods for achieving compliance. Requires decisions regarding how to interact and best communicate with members of the public, in sometimes sensitive situations in which property owners may not be in compliance with the code.

Complexity of Work:

Complexity addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, concentration and creativity, required by the job and the presence of any unusual pressures present in the job.

Requires learning the relevant sections of the Town of Vienna code. Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results. Requires analysis of particular situations where code compliance may be difficult.

Impact of Errors:

Impact of errors refers to consequences such as damage to equipment and property, loss of data, exposure of the organization to legal liability, and injury or death for individuals.

The impact of errors is moderately serious - affects work unit and may affect other units or citizens.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Equipment Usage:

Equipment usage involves responsibility for materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, and products.

Handles or uses machines, tools, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Unavoidable Hazards:

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Operates a motor vehicle in traffic.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to extreme heat and/or cold; wet or humid conditions.

Safety of Others:

Safety of others refers to the level of responsibility for the safety of others, either inherent in the job or to ensure the safety of the general public.

Requires considerable responsibility for the safety and health of others.

Requires a High School Diploma. Additional relevant education preferred, such as a 2-year Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree.

Requires a minimum of 7 years experience in building and/or zoning code enforcement.

Experience with computer-based administrative tracking of cases, and/or in project management.

Demonstrable successful customer service experience.

Demonstrable ability to compose, format, and use proper grammar and syntax skills in writing letters and reports.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Valid State driver's license

Preferred - Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO) Certified Zoning Official (CZO), or comparable certification.

If the official has CZO on hiring, the certification must be maintained. If the official does not have CZO on hiring, s/he is expected to obtain that certification within two years. The Town will financially support this training and provide work time for attending relevant sessions.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The Town of Vienna is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Town of Vienna to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent