Zoning Technican

Effingham County Board of Commissioners•Springfield, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Zoning Technician provides technical, administrative, research, records, and customer service support for zoning and development services functions. The position assists applicants, property owners, the public, County staff, and public officials with zoning-related processes; reviews and processes routine applications and records; supports public hearing and Planning Board activities; and helps ensure that zoning-related documents, notices, and files are accurate, complete, and maintained according to applicable procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Three years of progressively responsible administrative, clerical, customer service, permitting, records, planning and zoning, or local government experience required; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to learn and use County permitting, records, agenda, document management, email, word processing, spreadsheet, and related software systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain job-related training or certifications required by the County for the position.
Knowledge of modern office practices, records management, customer service principles, and administrative procedures.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, zoning terminology, permitting procedures, development regulations, public notice processes, and Planning Board support requirements.
Ability to read, understand, and apply ordinances, policies, procedures, maps, plats, forms, and technical reference materials within the scope of assigned duties.
Ability to review information for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with established standards.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate correspondence, minutes, notices, reports, forms, and records.
Ability to organize work, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and follow established procedures in a high-volume public service environment.
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively in writing, by phone, electronically, and in person.
Ability to work constructively with the public, applicants, property owners, public officials, coworkers, and representatives of other agencies, including during difficult or sensitive interactions.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality when required, and refer complex or policy-sensitive matters to appropriate staff.
Skill in using computers, permit tracking systems, word processing, spreadsheets, email, calendars, scanners, copiers, and other standard office equipment.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, and fee or data calculations as required for assigned work.

Nice To Haves

College coursework, vocational training, or an associate degree in planning, public administration, business administration, office administration, geography, or a related field is desirable and may be considered as part of the equivalent education and experience review.

Responsibilities

Provides professional customer service to residents, applicants, developers, property owners, elected or appointed officials, internal departments, and other stakeholders regarding zoning, permitting, and development regulation processes.
Answers telephone calls, receives visitors, responds to routine inquiries, provides accurate procedural information, routes complex questions to appropriate staff, and documents messages or follow-up items as needed.
Assists customers with zoning-related permit applications; explains application requirements and procedures; reviews submitted information for completeness, accuracy, and consistency with established procedures.
Receives, reviews, processes, and tracks zoning permits, sign permit applications, minor subdivision plats, business license reviews, zoning verification requests, E-911 or addressing requests, and related materials as assigned.
Enters, updates, retrieves, verifies, and corrects information in permitting software, spreadsheets, word processing files, document management systems, and other County systems.
Research County Code, zoning ordinances, development regulations, zoning maps, plats, public records, municipal ordinances, and related reference materials to assist with case review, customer inquiries, verification requests, and staff research.
Prepares, reviews, processes, forwards, files, or retains forms, reports, correspondence, manuals, reference materials, notices, packets, records, and other documentation according to department procedures and records retention requirements.
Provides administrative and meeting support for the Planning Board, including agenda and packet preparation, meeting attendance as assigned, recording and preparing minutes, and maintaining agenda and meeting files.
Coordinates public notice requirements for hearings, including legal advertisements, public notice letters, and hearing signs, in accordance with applicable deadlines, procedures, and staff direction.
Composes or prepares zoning verification letters, routine correspondence, reports, forms, and other documents for review, approval, or issuance as required.
Maintains zoning-related permit records, application files, public notice records, agenda files, and other department records in an organized and accessible manner.
Receives, documents, and responds to public inquiries, requests for assistance, and complaints regarding department policies and procedures; escalates complex, sensitive, or unresolved matters to appropriate staff.
Communicates with supervisors, employees, other departments, applicants, the public, municipalities, agencies, and other individuals to coordinate work activities, exchange information, review status of work, and resolve routine issues.
Checks and reviews data, applications, records, and correspondence for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and conformance with established standards.
Operates computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and other standard office equipment required to perform assigned work.
Attends training, meetings, seminars, and workshops as assigned to maintain job-related knowledge and skills.
Maintains regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
Work may include occasional evening meetings, public hearings, deadline-driven assignments, or schedule adjustments based on operational needs, consistent with County policy and applicable law.
Performs other related duties as assigned.