Land Use Specialist

Salary: $33.76 - $40.35 Hourly

Location : Town Hall - Simsbury, CT

Job Type: Full-Time (35 hours/week)

Job Number: 240620

Department: Planning and Land Use Department

Opening Date: 06/20/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Community Planning and Development, the Land Use Specialist is responsible for administrative, secretarial and coordinating services and support for the Planning and Community Development Department and all Land Use Boards. Assists citizens and Town officials at the counter, by telephone and via email with questions regarding Land Use matters.

Position Description and Job Functions

• Receives oral or written instructions from supervisor. Provides assistance to supervisor and Zoning Enforcement Officers and reports work accomplished to supervisor.
• Creates and maintains files for staff, public and legal reviews and action and maintains Land Use activity log books and records.
• Orders and manages department supplies and materials.
• Organizes and processes department purchase orders, invoices, billing, monthly receipt processing, budget submissions, and related record-keeping functions.
• Updates and maintains web site information for the department and Land Use Boards.
• Maintains and finalizes department materials for publication, regulations, and Board schedules.
• Edits drafts of Land Use documents, including: regulation revisions, staff reports and minutes.
• Plans and organizes work according to established or standard office procedures.
• Assures and schedules proper maintenance of various office machines and equipment.
• Determines priority of work tasks and performs related work as required.
• Provides service and assistance to citizens and Town officials and responds to questions regarding zoning, subdivisions, inland wetlands and watercourses, variances, and other Land Use matters.
• Assists applicants in filling out application forms and provides assistance and direction in navigating appropriate Boards, Town departments and staff.
• Processes, schedules and coordinates all applications and permit requests for Land Use activities.
• Refers applications and coordinates reviews and comments by town staff and Land Use Boards.
• Prepares and places all legal advertisements, meeting announcements, agendas, posts, and notices.
• Prepares materials for Land Use Board meetings, including: compilation, collation, organization and distribution of reports, minutes, drawings, files and equipment, online whenever possible.
• Ascertains that the materials for meetings are complete and accurate.
• Ensures delivery of meeting materials and equipment to and retrieval from meeting rooms before and after meetings, and ensures meeting rooms are scheduled and appropriately prepared.
• Maintains appropriate control of Land Use Board applications, activities and schedules to ensure compliance with legally-mandated timetables for processing applications, regulations and decisions.
• Coordinates exchanges of information and materials between Land Use Boards, Town departments, and state and federal governments.
• Notifies appropriate persons or agencies of policy decisions and actions made by Land Use Boards.
• Responsible for coordinating and organizing pool of recording clerks for Land Use Boards, including processing of time cards and overseeing the collection and filing of Land Use Boards' minutes.
• Assists Building Department with answering telephone inquiries, scheduling inspection appointment and taking in permits, as needed.
• Responsible for the maintenance of attendance records, filing of Personnel Action Forms for steps and annual increases, processing of leave requests and requesting permission for carry-over of vacation time from fiscal year to fiscal year for both the Building and Community Planning and Development Departments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to type at least 50 wpm and accurately process a large volume of paperwork and electronic information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (including Word, Excel and Access), or equivalent.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of office management and record keeping.
• Working knowledge of various office equipment, such as: personal computers, copiers, facsimile machines, calculators, postal rate equipment and printers.
• Ability to establish and maintain complex files and record systems.
• Ability to make basic mathematical calculations and to perform minor bookkeeping.
• Ability to compose routine correspondence and reports.
• Ability to collect, organize and present information in a clear and timely manner.
• Ability to acquire a working knowledge of Planning, Zoning and Inland Wetland statutory requirements, regulations and procedures.
• Ability to follow established procedures and priorities, meet deadlines and maintain quality of work in a multi-tasking environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Commission and Board members, vendors, contractors, consultants, other governmental agencies and the general public.
• Ability to maintain information in confidence.
• Ability to explain, in general, code, regulatory and technical information to the public and non-technical persons in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to develop clear, concise technical reports, correspondence and/or other written materials.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and to deal with problems assigned.

Conditions and Qualifications

REQUIRED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees encounter while performing essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires the ability to sit at a desk or to stand and work continuously for extended periods of time.
• Works in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.
• Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard.
• Ability to relate positively to staff members and the general public.
• Ability to work under stress from contact with public, demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions.
• Ability to file letters, correspondence, reports, etc. in file cabinets.
• Ability to move throughout the Town Hall and other Town buildings and sites.
• Ability to see objects closely, as in reading a map.
• Ability to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
• Ability to observe and interpret situations read, as well as interpret data, information and documents.
• Ability to talk and hear, both in person and by telephone.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with an Associate's degree and two (2) years of administrative work experience, or similar combination of work experience and education.

The Town of Simsbury offers a wide variety of benefits to employees.

New employees have access to:

• Health Insurance (Choice of HMO or High Deductible Health Plan)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance (up to 2x salary)
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retiree Health & Dental Insurance
• 457 Retirement Savings Plan
• 2 Weeks of Vacation per Year
• 12 Paid Holidays

Please consult the for additional details on the terms of the benefits referenced above.

01

Do you have any previous experience in a municipal land use department?

• Yes
• No

Required Question