Zoning Administrator/Grant Writer Zoning Administrator/Grant Writer – Watertown, WI (population 23,957). Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a related field, and two or more years of experience in planning or a related field. Experience in the administration of zoning and subdivision regulations. The preferred candidate will possess previous experience with significant development projects and be capable of writing an organized, thoughtful and persuasive grant proposal. A capacity for effective teamwork and the ability to clearly communicate technical information to a non-technical audience are essentials for this position both verbally and written. Good communication and organization skills are required. The ability to work with a diverse range of people including city staff, elected officials, contractors and the public is a must. The purpose of this position is to ensure that the building regulatory system promotes, supports, and sustains economic development in the City of Watertown while establishing an organizational infrastructure that maximizes collaboration among the various departments involved in all phases of construction, from initial concept through certificate of occupancy. Periodically this position will be required to write and coordinate grants for the engineering and street departments and to a lesser extent for other departments as necessary. The work is performed under the direction and supervision of the City Engineer. All interested applicants are requested to submit a cover letter and resume to
[email protected] no later than March 14, 2014. Please call (920) 262-4040 with any questions. See below for further information.
Specifications – Zoning Administrator/Grant Writer Zoning Administrator/Grant Writer - Watertown (population 23,957). Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a related field, and two or more years of experience in planning or a related field. Experience in the administration of zoning and subdivision regulations. The preferred candidate will possess previous experience with significant development projects and be capable of writing an organized, thoughtful and persuasive grant proposal. A capacity for effective teamwork and the ability to clearly communicate technical information to a nontechnical audience are essentials for this position both verbally and written. Good communication and organization skills are required. The ability to work with a diverse range of people including city staff, elected officials, contractors and the public is a must. Summary of Position Benefits The purpose of this position is to ensure that the building regulatory system promotes, supports, and sustains economic development in the City of Watertown while establishing an organizational infrastructure that maximizes collaboration among the various departments involved in all phases of construction, from initial concept through certificate of occupancy. Periodically this position will be required to write and coordinate grants for the engineering and street departments and to a lesser extent for other departments as necessary. The work is performed under the direction and supervision of the City Engineer. Duties and Responsibilities: Core Duties and Responsibilities - The following duties are the primary duties of this position, but do not compose an exclusive or all encompassing list of duties. Other duties may be assigned or required to accomplish the main goals of this position. Technical Administers the permit process, including application, fee assessment and collection, permit issuance, inspection, and occupancy. Coordinates plan reviews, developer’s agreements, inspections, and enforcement actions. Monitors developer’s agreements. Maintains a variety of reports and records related to inspection and enforcement activities; prepares recommendations for amendments and additions to codes or regulations which relate to the position. Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes. Reviews current trends and developments in the field of construction, and recommends revisions to codes, ordinances and local regulations. Reviews the examination of building plans of all types to determine compliance with code requirements and related regulations. Coordinates efforts with the police, planning, engineering, street, health and related departments, the City attorney, and other staff or agencies, as needed. Reviews cases being prepared for trial with emphasis on the evidence and legal issues crucial to successful prosecution. Prepares detailed reports of activities and investigations made; consults with prosecutors and prepares case report for court action; testifies in court; assists in obtaining, enhancing, preparing or presenting exhibits or other evidence in court as may be required. Serves as the Zoning Administrator Assists with maintaining and updating department website. As grant writer; composes a specific application for a specific grant. The grant application must demonstrate that the organization receiving the grant possesses three qualities: the organization is a good fit for the grant being offered; the organization can demonstrate a past history of excellence; and the organization has a clear strategy for using the grant if it is awarded. Administrative Provide leadership; motivates and gives direction in the development of short and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations. Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control
activities; assists in the preparation of the annual budget for building and zoning requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, materials, facilities, and time. Economic Development Serves as point of contact for building construction or reconstruction projects, providing coordinated responses and ensuring timely completion. Provides technical building code advice to Site Plan Committee, Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals; makes presentations to boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public. Explains, interprets, and provides guidance regarding all applicable codes to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, residents and other interested parties. Researches problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction and code compliance. Responds and resolves complex and sensitive building issues. Meets with owners, tenants, contractors, developers, businesses, etc. to review and explain code requirements and violations or potential violations; secures code compliance. Grant Writing and Coordination Researches grant programs that the City would be a good fit for. Conduct prospect research to produce sufficient numbers and quality of grant applications Composes a specific application for a specific grant. Capable of writing an organized, thoughtful and persuasive grant proposal. Responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals. Performs duties of a grant administrator: maintain current records in database and in paper files, including grant tracking and reporting.
Strong written communication skills; ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals. Strong editing skills. Attention to detail. Ability to meet deadlines. Code Enforcement Provides department guidance as it pertains to the following: Building Inspectors’ management of code enforcement operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed. Building Inspectors’ enforcement of a variety of codes, including Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Wisconsin Plumbing Code, Wisconsin Electrical Code, Wisconsin Building Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Fire Code, Watertown Housing Code, and local codes related to sprinkling, nuisance, clearing, grading, filling, and zoning matters. Issues correction notices and citations. Building inspectors’ periodic patrols and inspections of the City to monitor for violations of local codes. Building inspectors respond to complaints of potential code violations relating to signing, building occupancy, nuisances, or other conditions, housing conditions, construction, land use, zoning, animals, noise, dumping, clearing, grading, filling, polluting, or other code-related matters. Building inspectors conduct field investigations of potential violations; gathers evidence; questions or interviews complainants, witnesses and suspects; compares facts to code requirements, makes findings; and issues warnings, correction notices, or citations. Additional Duties and Responsibilities - The following duties are necessary for operations, but may be shared with or performed by other employees. The listed duties do not compose an exclusive or all encompassing list of additional duties. Other duties may be assigned or required to accomplish the main goals of this position. Services as an administrative liaison to the Board of Appeals, maintaining written records of all meetings, facilitating meetings, providing required information, and recommending the City's official position.
Review proposed subdivisions for code compliance. Performs the duties of a plans examiner or inspector, as needed. Performs research, collects data, and prepares reports for use by the Common Council, the Plan Commission, and/or the Historic Preservation Commission regarding various topics as needed. Serves on various employee and other committees as assigned. Completes required state and federal reports.
Qualifications: Qualifications - The ability to perform the Core Duties and Additional Duties listed above and: Education/Training/Certifications Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Engineering, English, or a related field. One to three or more years of experience in planning, grant writing or a related field. Knowledge of code enforcement principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting; working knowledge of applicable laws, standards and regulations relating to various land use, subdivision matters, and zoning administrators; nuisance and public safety codes; working knowledge of inspection techniques, knowledge of grant writing research to produce quality grant applications, knowledge to compose a specific application for a specific grant, knowledge of writing an organized, thoughtful and persuasive grant proposal. Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skill and abilities. Skills Language Skills Ability to communicate orally and in writing with the general public, Common Council members, Mayor, other city officials and department heads, attorneys, vendors, state agencies, and insurance company representatives. Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment. Ability to compare, count, differentiates measure and sort information. Ability to assemble, copy, and record data and information. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations. Ability to prepare, organize and maintain inspection field data, reports and systems. Ability to follow instructions and respond to requests from others. Ability to utilize a wide variety of advisory and descriptive data and information such as billing statements, spreadsheets, job applications, union contracts, accident reports, license/permit applications, meeting agendas and minutes, ordinances, purchase orders, legal notices, resolutions, personnel manuals, an state statutes. Ability to produce or obtain reports, graphs, charts, photographs and evidence or exhibits. Ability to handle stressful situations and effectively deal with difficult or angry people. Mathematical Skills Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals. Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports. Reasoning Ability Ability to analyze complex situations, problems and data, and use sound judgment in drawing conclusions and making decisions. Ability to comprehend and articulate complex facts and relationships in detail and to summarize and write clearly, concisely and legibly, and to testify in court in an objective, concise, and professional manner. Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria. Competencies Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Use reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Project Management - Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget. Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. Oral Communication - Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Able to read and interpret written information. Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Conserves organizational resources. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values. Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values. Judgment - Includes appropriate people in decision-making process. Motivation - Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence. Planning/Organization - Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality. Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Asks for and offers help when needed. Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and in others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others.
Physical Abilities The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in office setting, however occasionally outdoor work; the latter is required in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee will rarely, but could occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to sustain prolonged visual and mental concentration. Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. Ability to recognize and identify individual characteristics of shapes and sounds associated with jobrelated objects, materials and tasks.
Typical Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is required to navigate all types of terrain, including those typical of construction sites. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field. Other Requirements: Valid Wisconsin Driver's License or ability to obtain one by start of employment. Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview, background check, driving record check, and reference check; job related tests may be required. A physical examination will also be required as a condition of employment. Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Watertown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with applicable state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the City.
