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DISCOVER THE DIFFERENT SIDES OF STRASBURG.

Planning & Zoning

administrator

174 East King Street, Strasburg, VA 22657 | 540.465.9197 | info@strasburgVA.com

Background

The Town of Strasburg, Virginia is a carefully planned Town that is not unfamiliar with the pressures of rapid residential growth. Town Council fully supports the Comprehen-sive Plan (2018) and Unified Development Ordinance as living documents that serve as a roadmap and implementation tool, respectively, for the future physical development of Strasburg. Difficult decisions are ahead for the Town Council, Planning Commission, Archi-tectural Review Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals as they all try to balance the oppor-tunities Strasburg has to grow with the understanding that continued careful planning will reap benefits for our citizens long into the future. Town staff is looking for another team member to help guide them through those decisions.

Our Community

The Town of Strasburg (pop. 6,600) is a full-service community located on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River at the northern end of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The Town’s proximity to natural, cultural, and historic resources and major transportation routes makes it ripe for future growth. U.S. Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) and State Route 55 intersect in the center of Town, and Strasburg has two interchanges along Interstate 81. The I-81 interchange with I-66, which serves the Washington D.C. metro area, is less than 5 miles from Strasburg, making it an ideal location for attracting the 6.1 million people living in the D. C. metro area.

Strasburg is implementing several initiatives aimed at revitalizing its historic downtown core, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Among these are a utility and streetscape enhancement project that began in 2014 and includes replacement of water/sewer lines, new sidewalks, street lights, trees and other amenities. In 2015, the Town was awarded grant funds from the Department of Housing & Community Develop-ment in support of downtown improvement activities to enhance the economic and phys-ical conditions within the downtown business district. Also, there are multiple restaurants, two breweries that are set to open in the next few months, retail operations selling new and “vintage chic” merchandise and several one-of-a-kind shops including a hobby shop with slot car racing, an organic gardening and homesteading store and even a place to pick up unique T-shirts, tapestries and wind sculptures.

Multiple nonprofit arts organizations are also adding to the cultural landscape of Strasburg, including Staufferstadt Arts, which has been installing high-quality murals on outdoor walls in the downtown corridor; a film collaborative with plans to put on an annual independent film festival to benefit arts programs for Shenandoah County School District; and Shenan-doah Museum of Contemporary Art, which is putting together a biennial art show that will utilize empty spaces all over the downtown area.

With about 75 acres of park land right on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, easy access to Shenadoah National Park and Skyline Drive, and within close proximity to skiing, snowboarding, caverns, biking and more, the Town of Strasburg is also a great location for outdoor enthusiasts.

Come discover the different sides of Strasburg today!

The Ideal Candidate

Town staff is looking for an energetic and creative individual to join our leadership team, who has the capacity and interest to view planning and zoning in a small town from a different perspective. With Strasburg’s unique Unified Development Ordinance and complex growth pressures, the Town is in need of an individual capable of considering growth and development from both a compliance and visionary perspective. With the understanding that one of Strasburg’s greatest assets is its built environment, it is import-ant that this candidate can navigate the extension of that built environment while not adversely impacting the existing structures.

The ideal candidate will be capable of reviewing development applications, working with legislative and appointed boards, developers, citizens, business owners, and fellow staff on a regular basis. The ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, conduct effective presentations, and mediate difficult conversations about the future of Strasburg are essential qualities.

The Position - Planning and Zoning Administrator

The Planning and Zoning Administrator performs complex professional work reviewing development plans, drafting ordinances, coordinating work with the Town Manager and other departments, conducting research, writing grant applications, maintaining records and files, preparing reports, advising boards, commissions, committees, and elected of-ficials, supervising enforcement of all violations of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and other applicable Town ordinances, and related work as apparent or assigned. Takes a lead role interpreting the Comprehensive Plan, and enabling the visioning and implementation of changes to the urban environment. Responsibilities include managaing the departmental budget, and submitting requests for adequate funding as part of the budget and capital improvements plan process. The Work is performed under the general direction of and in collaboration with the Town Manager.

Required Essential Functions:

• Conducts research and analysis for special projects; prepares reports, reviews plan submittals, issues legal notices, offers recommendations, etc.

• Reviews and analyzes site plans, rezonings, special use permits, and subdivision requests ensuring they meet requirements of Town Code and Unified Develop-ment Ordinance.

• Staffs Architectural Review Board (ARB), and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), and

Planning Commission; creates agendas and coordinates other meetings.• Potentially supervises assigned employees; assigns and reviews work; acts on

problems and complaints; instructs and trains employees; evaluates perfor-mance; assists in the selection of employees; recommends rewards and disci-pline.

• Conducts informal and pre-application meetings with developers, citizens, engi-neers, and architects to describe development review process.

• Performs administrative reviews of boundary line adjustments, lot consolida-tions, and lot splits plats.

• Reviews and approves zoning permit applications; conducts site inspections; issues violation notices; serves as a witness in court; maintains zoning violation files and reports.

• Receives, identifies, and investigates complaints and inquiries, or directs such to the appropriate department.

• Coordinates master planning efforts; including but not limited to the Compre-hensive Plan, Master Park Plan, and other regional land use planning initiatives.

• Researches and applies for grants; oversees, monitors, and coordinates grant programs.

• Maintains records and approves the release of bonds and letters of credit.• Coordinates and utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) efforts with

Shenandoah County; maintains Official Town Maps.• Conducts reviews and analyses concerning comprehensive land use law and pub-

lic facility planning, zoning, subdivision and growth management; serves as the Census Bureau’s Town contact.

• Attends training sessions; participates in continuing education.• Approves department purchases; seeks adequate department funding through

the budget and capital improvement plan process; recommends changes to the Schedule of Fees.

• Handles all matters pertaining to code interpretation, changes in legislation, and proposed amendments to Town regulations with consultation of the Town Attor-ney.

• Serves as town liaison officer with other jurisdictions and public agencies regard-

The Position - Planning and Zoning Administrator

ing issues of development.• Coordinates the Spot Blight Abatement Program and Property Maintenance

Code enforcement.• Assigns E-911 addresses and approves street names.• Mediate and facilitate difficult land-use related conversations between citizens.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of community development activities, land use laws and their relation to land use planning; thorough knowledge of zoning and code enforcement practices; ability to utilize geographic information systems; ability to prepare budgets and provide fiscal analysis of proposals; ability to read and interpret blueprints, site plans, and architectural designs; ability to gather and interpret technical and statistical information and prepare technical reports; ability to communicate ideas effectively in both oral and written formats; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, contractors, architects, land developers, associates, and the general public. Interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a customer service attitude are essential to this role.

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree with coursework in urban planning, urban design, landscape architec-ture, community development, or a related field and considerable experience in land use planning, zoning administration, urban design, or community development activities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Masters degree in related field preferred.

The Position - Planning and Zoning Administrator

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $50,481 – $76,286 and the offer will be commensu-rate with experience and/or special qualifications. The anticipated hiring range is $50,481 – $65,000.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should email, mail or deliver the Town of Strasburg applica-tion, resume and cover letter to:

Wyatt PearsonTown Manager

174 East King StreetStrasburg, VA 22657

wpearson@strasburgva.com540.465.9197

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Planning and Zoning Administrator

Updated September 2018 Town of Strasburg, Virginia

FLSA Status: Exempt

General Definition of Work Performs complex professional work reviewing development plans, drafting ordinances, coordinating work with the Town Manager and other departments, conducting research, writing grant applications, maintaining records and files, preparing reports, advising boards, commissions, committees, and elected officials, supervising enforcement of all violations of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and other applicable Town ordinances, and related work as apparent or assigned. Takes a lead role interpreting the Comprehensive Plan, and enabling the visioning and implementation of changes to the urban environment. Responsibilities include managaing the departmental budget, and submitting requests for adequate funding as part of the budget and capital improvements plan process. The Work is performed under the general direction of and in collaboration with the Town Manager. Qualification Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential Functions

Conducts research and analysis for special projects; prepares reports, reviews plan submittals, issues legal notices, offers recommendations, etc. Reviews and analyzes site plans, rezonings, special use permits, and subdivision requests ensuring they meet requirements of Town Code and Unified Development Ordinance. Staffs Architecturual Review Board (ARB), and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), and Planning Commission; creates agendas and coordinates other meetings. Supervises assigned employees; assigns and reviews work; acts on problems and complaints; instructs and trains employees; evaluates performance; assists in the selection of employees; recommends rewards and discipline. Conducts informal and pre-application meetings with developers, citizens, engineers, and architects to describe development review process. Performs administrative reviews of boundary line adjustments, lot consolidations, and lot splits plats. Reviews and approves zoning permit applications; conducts site inspections; issues violation notices; serves as a witness in court; maintains zoning violation files and reports. Receives, identifies, and investigates complaints and inquiries, or directs such to the appropriate department. Coordinates master planning efforts; including but not limited to the Comprehensive Plan, Master Park Plan, and other regional land use planning initiatives. Reseraches and applies for grants; oversees, monitors, and coordinates grant programs. Maintains records and approves the release of bonds and letters of credit. Coordinates and utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) efforts with Shenandoah County; maintains Official Town Maps. Conducts reviews and analyses concerning comprehensive land use law and public facility planning, zoning, subdivision and growth management; serves as the Census Bureau's Town contact. Attends training sessions; participates in continuing education. Approves department purchases; seeks adequate department funding through the budget and capital improvement plan process; recommends changes to the Schedule of Fees. Handles all matters pertaining to code interpretation, changes in legislation, and proposed amendments to Town regulations with consultation of the Town Attorney. Serves as town liaison officer with other jurisdictions and public agencies regarding issues of development. Coordinates the Spot Blight Abatement Program and Property Maintenance Code enforcement. Assigns E-911 addresses and approves street names. Mediate and facilitate difficult land-use related conversations between citizens.

Planning and Zoning Administrator

Updated September 2018 Town of Strasburg, Virginia

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge of community development activities, land use laws and their relation to land use planning; thorough knowledge of zoning and code enforcement practices; ability to utilize geographic information systems; ability to prepare budgets and provide fiscal analysis of proposals; ability to read and interpret blueprints, site plans, and architectural designs; ability to gather and interpret technical and statistical information and prepare technical reports; ability to communicate ideas effectively in both oral and written formats; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, contractors, architects, land developers, associates, and the general public. Interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a customer service attitude are essential to this role. Education and Experience A bachelor's degree with coursework in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, community development, or a related field and considerable experience in land use planning, zoning administration, urban design, or community development activities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Physical Requirements This work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten (10) pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle, or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Special Requirements American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification Preferred Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO) Certified Zoning Administrator (CZA) Preferred

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