Zoning Administrator

Chesterfield County•Chesterfield, VA

About The Position

Chesterfield County Planning Office is seeking a Zoning Administrator to support land use planning and work with sections of the Planning Department and other County departments, including the County Attorney’s Office, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Engineering, and Utilities. The position provides technical, regulatory, and professional advice on land use, subdivision, and zoning matters; interprets ordinances and policies; and supports decision-making by County officials, staff, applicants, and the public. The Zoning Administrator leads or facilitates review teams, contributes to policy and ordinance development, manages cross-departmental initiatives, and serves on the Planning Department management team. The role also includes preparing reports and presentations, advising stakeholders, reviewing zoning cases and opinions, and helping ensure ordinances and practices conform to applicable laws, plans, and regulations.

Requirements

Substantial experience and superior knowledge of zoning, subdivision, and site plan review practices.
Considerable knowledge of planning theory, principles, techniques, and the development process.
Considerable knowledge of federal, Virginia state, and local laws, ordinances, and codes relating to a wide range of planning topics.
Considerable knowledge of research and analysis methods and techniques.
Knowledge of real estate terminology, laws, practices, principles, and regulations.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including editing, overseeing, or preparing technical reports and presenting information to government entities and committees.
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and public relations skills for working effectively with officials, staff, citizens, and other customers.
Ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or controversial political situations.
Strong mediation and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field and five or more years of planning experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Current valid driver’s license and good driving record. Under the Virginia DMV point system, the record must not show six or more demerit points in the 24 months before the anticipated hire date, or one major six-point violation in the preceding 36 months.
Applicants with out-of-state driving records must obtain and present them at interview; records must show at least three years of history and be dated within 30 days of the interview.
Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, and education/degree verification are required.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field.
AICP, ASLA PLA, CZA, CNU, LEED, or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Provide technical, regulatory, and professional advice on land use, subdivision, and zoning.
Render and write opinions and interpretations of zoning and subdivision ordinances, policies, and related cases or variances.
Render and write written determinations on zoning and subdivision matters.
Evaluate staff decisions and applicant proposals for conformity with ordinances, policies, applicable cases, plans, and the comprehensive plan.
Research and prepare documentation, reports, and presentations for decision-making.
Serve as leader or facilitator of reviewing teams considering zoning matters.
Maintain files related to policies and interpretations concerning zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments.
Research and write ordinances and policies as required by state code and directed by public need, the comprehensive plan, County administration, the County Attorney, and members of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission.
Prepare and deliver presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, citizen groups, and the public on land use, subdivision, zoning, and comprehensive plan matters.
Research codes, regulations, and other sources to ensure policies and ordinances conform to applicable state and federal regulations and changing land use trends.
Assist the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission with decision-making related to zoning and other land use matters.
Train staff on interpretation, implementation, and application of zoning and subdivision ordinances and development-related policies.
Review existing practices and policies and prepare recommendations for the Planning Department, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors.
Review zoning cases and opinions; attend Zoning Opinion, Pre-Application, and Technical Review Committee meetings and provide comments.
Meet with and advise citizens, developers, staff, Planning Commission members, and Board of Supervisors members on land use, zoning, and subdivision matters.
Serve as a Special Area Plan team member, review land use and development standards, and assist with writing implementing ordinances.
Manage cross-departmental teams working on policy, process, and land use initiatives, including Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance work and comprehensive plan implementation.
Serve on the Planning Department management team.
Perform other work as required.