Zoning Administrator

Published: 6/14/2022

Construction

Job Description

Summary

The Zoning Administrator (ZA) administers and enforces the Bolton Land Use and Development Regulations. The ZA also provides professional staff support to the town’s Planning Commission and Development Review Board. This position involves working closely with local boards, elected officials, residents and property owners, applicants, consultants and government agencies. It requires the ability to act independently, with a high degree of integrity and composure, and excellent communication and information management skills.

Position

Serve as the primary town contact for all permit applications and information requests.

Undertake required zoning administrator duties as specified under 24 V.S.A. §§ 4448, 4449 and described in the Zoning Administrators Handbook.

The ZA is employed by the Select Board for a renewable three-year term, in consultation with the Planning Commission and Development Review Board. This is a nonexempt position, subject to employment and personnel policies of the town.

The ZA, as an employee of the town, is under the general supervision and oversight by the Bolton Select Board, however in the daily performance of duties reports directly to the Chairs of the Planning Commission and Development Review Board.

Part-time – budgeted up to 16 hours per week; actual hours will vary based on work load (number of applications, scheduled meetings). Hours over budgeted require Select Board approval.

Hourly rate commensurate with qualifications, experience.

Scheduled site visits, office appointments and evening meeting attendance are required.

Job duties may be performed at the Bolton Town Office as necessary, and off-site with approval of the Select Board.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., planning, environmental science, geographic information, civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture); and at least one year of relevant work experience. Relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Ability to work well with a variety of people, under sometimes difficult circumstances.

General knowledge of municipal land use planning, zoning and land use law, and development practices.

Self-directed, with ability to meet specific deadlines, pay close attention to detail.

Ability to read and interpret regulations, site plans, subdivision plats, mapped information, engineering drawings and specifications.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Familiarity with office software packages (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint)

Familiarity with online resources, datasets and mapping platforms.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Zoning Administration

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Bolton Land Use and Development Regulations, the Vermont Planning and Development Act (24 V.S.A. Chapter 117), Vermont Open Meeting Law (1 VSA §§ 310-314), flood hazard area regulation under the National Flood Insurance Program, and other municipal and state regulations applicable to local land use and development regulation.

Maintain town permit files and data.

Maintain a list of recommended and statutory revisions to the regulations for consideration by the Planning Commission in updating the town’s land use and development regulations.

Help applicants, interested persons and the general public understand and navigate the local permitting process. Provide information regarding relevant state permits.

Investigate possible zoning and permit violations; pursue enforcement as warranted including the issuance of notices of violation.

Review all applications for completeness and accuracy. Inform applicants if additional information is needed, and where it may be obtained. Conduct site visits as needed.

Update application forms and checklists in consultation with the DRB.

Act on complete applications, including application referrals and the issuance of administrative permits and certifications, in a timely fashion as required by statute.

Perform site visits to investigate zoning violations, evaluate slopes, identify wetlands and perform certificates of occupancy and completion.

Prepare Zoning Administrator and draft DRB reports for inclusion in the annual town report.

Prepare draft DRB correspondence to applicants (e.g., requests for additional information) for review and signature of the DRB Chair.

Prepare draft DRB decisions, including written findings, conclusions, and conditions for DRB review. Prepare final decisions for the signature of the DRB Chair and mailing within 45 days of the date of hearing adjournment, as required per statute.

Other regulatory duties as may be required and budgets permit.

Clerking Duties

Attend and staff DRB meetings and hearings; maintain participant and exhibit lists.

Prepare draft meeting and hearing minutes for DRB review, and for public posting in accordance with Vermont Open Meeting Law.

Attend regular Planning Commission meetings, and special meetings upon request.

Prepare Planning Commission meeting and hearing packets for distribution to the Planning Commission in advance scheduled meetings and hearings, to include agendas, application materials, staff reports, and draft minutes and decisions for Planning Commission review.

Prepare written staff reports on applications to the DRB in advance of scheduled hearings that address project conformance with applicable criteria of the regulations.

Prepare DRB meeting and hearing packets for distribution to the DRB in advance of scheduled meetings and hearings, to include agendas, application materials, staff reports, and draft minutes and decisions for DRB review.

Prepare and mail warn notices for abutters as required by statute.

Provide technical assistance as requested in DRB deliberations.

Coordinate the review of applications before the DRB with the Select Board, Planning Commission, Conservation Commission and other town officials as appropriate.

Coordinate DRB meeting and hearing schedules and agendas with the DRB Chair; issue required hearing notices for posting and mailing.