Zoning and Compliance Officer

Hernando County, Florida BOCC • Brooksville, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a mission-critical position requiring strong knowledge of zoning laws, field inspection protocols, and the ability to make sound independent decisions that impact public trust and County development outcomes. The Zoning Inspector/Compliance Officer plays a vital and highly visible role in protecting Hernando County’s development integrity, public safety, and environmental standards. This position is responsible for conducting inspections and enforcing zoning, land use, Riverine Protection Zone, and related County ordinances and regulations for residential and commercial properties. Duties include performing field inspections, conducting preconstruction meetings, preserving natural vegetative buffers, enforcing commercial zoning requirements, and achieving compliance through corrective actions and fines when necessary. The position also performs administrative and inspection work related to County zoning, land use, and code compliance activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience in the interpretation and enforcement of Florida Statues, regulatory codes, site reviews, and guidelines
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by current insurance carrier.
• Ability to gain knowledge of County zoning, land use and related ordinances and codes.
• Ability to read or learn to read legal descriptions.
• Ability to uphold codes, ordinances, and regulations impartially and make interpretive judgment decisions within established guidelines.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships with officials, contractors, other employees, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare oral and written reports.
• Ability to analyze issues and render difficult recommendations or decisions.
• Ability to set forth a positive professional image.

Nice To Haves

• Training and experience in one or more of the following fields preferred: Zoning laws, real estate, County building, planning, zoning, law enforcement and or Code Enforcement.
• Certification with Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) or obtain within one year of employment.
• NIMs certification 100, 200, and 700.

Responsibilities

• Implement field and final zoning inspections to ensure compliance with zoning permits, specifically for commercial and industrial projects involving waterways, landscaping, mining, setbacks, and buffers
• Performs inspections related to the Riverine Protection Ordinance, final zoning, landscaping, mining, and waterways regulations
• Inspects commercial and residential subdivisions for compliance in support of performance and maintenance bond returns
• Performs Temporary Conditional Occupancy (TCO) and Conditional Occupancy (CO) inspections
• Performs field inspections principally to determine violations of zoning, building, landscaping, setbacks, street graphics, screening and related codes and ordinances.
• Enforces Code of Ordinances.
• Investigates reported violations and complaints, determines ownership, and advises owners of necessary actions.
• Serves legal notices to property owners and processes matters requiring prosecution, under the supervision of the Department Supervisor.
• Interprets existing regulations and codes.
• Makes impartial judgment decisions in determining compliance.
• Issues Civil Citations for violations of codes and ordinances.
• Attends County Court or Special Master Hearings and gives testimony when required.
• Coordinates with Planning & Zoning staff to achieve desired inspection results.
• Performs final zoning inspections for commercial and single-family homes.
• Attends weekly staff meetings and civic association meetings when scheduled.
• Inputs and manages data, generates correspondence, and maintains accurate and compliant records.
• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Reviews site plans, survey plats, construction drawings, and development plans for compliance with zoning and land use laws.
• Interprets and applies Florida Statutes and local municipal codes relevant to zoning, land use, and environmental protection.
• Conducts plan reviews concerning Riverine Protection and related waterways codes.
• Prepares materials for legal proceedings and provides testimony in County Court or Special Master hearings.
• Issues citations for enforcement of compliance when voluntary compliance efforts fail.
• Provides zoning-related information to property owners, contractors, developers, and the general public while offering referrals to appropriate agencies as needed.
• Explains complex zoning and waterways regulations in accessible language during meetings and consultations.
• Attends staff meetings as assigned.
• Conducts site visits in support of variances and special exception considerations.
• Reports zoning violations and complaints, determines property ownership, and advises stakeholders on corrective actions.
• Issues legal notices, civil citations, summons, and warrants as necessary.
• Educate commercial business owners on compliance matters.
• County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.

Benefits

• VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED