Planning & Zoning Administrator

Job Summary: The Planning and Zoning Administrator coordinates planning and zoning activities for the Community Development Department. Oversees short-term and long-term planning and zoning activities, include rezoning, comprehensive plan amendment, conditional use permit, and variance applications. Duties include review, analysis, and recommendations of land use applications. Also provides consultation to developers and public on issues related to planning, zoning, and development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews building plans, including review of site/development plans for local zoning requirements with other staff members. Reviews applications for variances, special use permits, subdivision and zoning changes; oversees zoning process including public posting of notices and signs; prepares application packets for the Planning Commission; Historic Preservation Commission; and the City Council consistent with the City code.
• Identifies, inventories, and monitors non-conforming uses; makes recommendations to Community Development to amend ordinances as needed. Prepares reports on agenda items for the Department on zoning, annexation, and certificates of appropriateness, variances and related matters.
• Maintains and updates the Official Zoning Map of Villa Rica and the Comprehensive Plan and its elements.
• Assists the Historic Preservation Commission with building design, signage, and historical preservation in the City's Historic Districts; assists the commission's efforts for fund raising events as allowed by the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
• Types correspondence, memoranda, agendas, minutes, reports, forms and ordinances, records and checks data; maintains office correspondence; prepares and types periodic and/or special reports.
• Answers questions from the general public regarding plats, zoning, development regulations and general community information; acts as backup for the front office and phone coverage and assists the Community Development Director as needed.
• Maintains and updates department website.
• Prepares text amendments of various codes and ordinances when necessary.
• Prepares PowerPoint presentations and conducts presentations to the Planning Commission and other boards as needed.
• Completes special projects as directed by the Community Development Director and/or City Manager.
• Assists in the evaluations of Developments of Regional Impacts (DRI's) and coordinates the City's response to the State agencies and the Three Rivers and/or Atlanta RDC.
• Coordinates projects with other departments and state agencies.
• Prepares and makes presentations to the public (civic associations, homeowner associations, professional group, etc.).
• Responds to professionals and citizenry questions.
• Attends meetings of Planning Commission; Historic Preservation Commission; and other regulatory boards created by the City as directed.
• Attends monthly City Council meetings.
• Oversees the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
• Researches and prepares amendments and updates to all planning related documents.
• Attends professional meetings, seminars and training classes.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge Required by Position:

Knowledge of principles and practices of urban, regional and community planning; Knowledge of terminology and methodology used in the planning profession;

Knowledge of principles and techniques of economic and industrial development; Knowledge of City of Villa Rica, Carroll County, Douglas County and State of Georgia development regulations, ordinances, zoning and land-use policies;

Knowledge of applicable City codes and ordinances, geographical layout, zoning classification, and definitions, including the: Zoning Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and Development Regulations;

Knowledge of governmental regulatory codes and construction methods pertaining to infrastructure development and building construction; Knowledge of basic techniques of residential and commercial construction and construction management;

Knowledge of personal computers, general use software (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, publishing, etc.), financial software and Geographic Information System (GIS);

Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and city laws, ordinances, rules and regulations (including Georgia Open Records and Open Meetings requirements);

Knowledge of city and departmental policies, procedures, directives, rules and regulations; Knowledge of the geography, road network, public buildings, and emergency facilities of the city;

Knowledge of Comprehensive Plans and updates to the Plan;

Knowledge of Downtown revitalization plans

Supervisory Controls: This position reports to the Community Development Director.

Guidelines:  Guidelines include city and departmental policies and procedures; State of Georgia Sunshine Law

Work Environment:  The work is typically performed in an office.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:  Responsible for supervision of the planning and zoning department and business licenses.

Minimum Qualifications: Any combination of experience, training, and education, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job, will be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, urban/environmental design or related field from an accredited college or university required, Master's degree preferred; and
• Five to seven years of professional-experience in planning, community development, or related work in the public or private sector; and
• Ability to prepare routine correspondence and write clear, complete, concise, accurate, comprehensive and effective reports in a timely manner;
• Professional certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

The City of Villa Rica offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including healthcare, dental care, vision care, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short term disability insurance, pension,12 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a 457(b) retirement plan with a City match.

Background screenings are conducted prior to employment.

City of Villa Rica does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law).

Due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually.