BACKGROUND:
If you enjoy working with others to reach a common vision, then the City of Cleveland Heights has an opportunity for you! The City of Cleveland Heights Department of Planning & Development is currently seeking a Planner / Zoning Inspector to join its growing Planning team.
 
Cleveland Heights is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with a population of just under 45,000 people and a combined 2024 budget of over $133M. Cleveland Heights is a dynamic city with a legacy of intentional economic, racial, and cultural diversity and inclusion. With a strong local economy, diverse mix of cultures, new Mayor, and adjacency to Cleveland, the City is on the cusp of a major revitalization. The Planning & Development Department is front and center in allowing that revitalization to be realized as a collaborative team of creative thinkers dedicated to building effective planning processes for our communities through equitable land use & zoning, economic development, energy efficiency & resiliency, community development, racial justice, and environmental health.
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Planning, this position will manage a variety of planning projects and development proposals, including providing research and analysis. The incumbent will serve as the primary staff assigned to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Incumbent enforces the provisions of the Zoning Code and any related codes and ordinances as adopted and amended. Inspects improvements to ensure compliance with plans, standards, specifications, codes, regulations, permits, and any special requirements. The incumbent will provide input on zoning text amendments and zoning map changes. The incumbent may make presentations at community meetings, interpret policies and codes, conduct design review, and coordinate with other departments, agencies, and development sectors.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.

• Reviews preliminary plans, formal applications, and submitted plans for various planning and zoning permits to ensure conformance with applicable ordinances, codes, and policies; forwards approval recommendations to appropriate Board, Commission, or Council; identifies areas for modification; processes permit applications and calculates appropriate fees
• Manages the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) process, including attending and providing staff support at (monthly) night meetings
• Develops presentations for community organizations, commissions, Boards, Councils, elected officials, and/or other interested parties
• Communicates and confers with residents, architects, developers, and engineers regarding the City's planning and zoning procedures for applying for zone text amendments and zoning map changes, policies, development standards, and processes; provides information related to planning and zoning issues, both in-person, via email, and over the telephone
• Supplies information to the general public on the types of land uses permitted in the various zoning districts, as well as general standards and zoning regulations
• Assists other Department staff in evaluating requests for rezoning, conditional use permits, and variances; prepares staff recommendations and stipulations of approvals
• Participates in a variety of staff and development review meetings to discuss projects with peers and staff; provides interpretive assistance to staff on development standards, project proposals, and/or clarification of policies
• Responds to resident inquiries and complaints
• Performs inspections, as necessary, to enforce the City’s Zoning Code
• Makes independent decisions regarding issuance of violation notices and compliance with the Zoning Code
• Issues warnings and citations and appears in court as necessary to testify regarding violations 
• Orders discontinuances of illegal uses of land or building
• Attends meetings of Council, Board of Zoning Appeals, the Planning Commission, and other boards or commissions as relating to zoning inspections and/or assigned projects
• Prepares reports and maintains records of inspections
• Confers with homeowners, business owners, property owners, and the public to explain and interpret City Zoning Code requirements
• Conducts site visits, field data collection, survey work and photography
• Schedules and help facilitate meetings
• Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, file management, copying, scanning documents and answering the telephone
• Performs background research on a variety of topics as assigned
• Responds to general inquiries to the Department as directed by staff
• Upholds the City’s mission to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive as part of all housing preservation activities
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:
NoneQUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of urban planning and development; municipal planning
• Site planning principles
• Planning terminology, methods, materials, practices, and techniques
• Methods and techniques used in community engagement and external communications
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations
• Research methods
• Principles and practices of zoning codes and enforcement.
• Techniques used to inspect residential and commercial construction to ensure compliance with adopted codes and ordinances
• Customer service and relationship management principles 
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment

 
Skill in:

• Using computers and related software applications
• Use of tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices
• Organizing, scheduling, planning, and coordinating projects
• Communication

 
Ability to:

• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public
• Read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings
• Interpret codes and ordinances and apply and administer the codes and regulations tactfully and impartially
• Analyze and collect data; conduct research
• Create and give presentations; speak in public
• Express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in written form
• Organize, prioritize and schedule time to achieve Planning Department goals
• Provide superior customer service to both internal and external customers
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, business owners, tenants, contractors, City staff, and the public

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, or a related field, plus two (2) years’ related experience in a planning environment; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
 
CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE:

• Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and 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. 
 
HOURS OF WORK
The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hours per week). The position requires reporting to City Hall most of the time, with frequent time spent in the field. Attendance at evening meetings is part of the job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. May require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
 
 WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work will occur in an office and field environment. While performing the duties and responsibilities the employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions and other related conditions and situations.
 
The City of Cleveland Heights is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.