The City of St. Louis is Seeking a “Zoning Specialist”
A reader suggested I apply for a job with the city as a Zoning Specialist. I sorta doubt they’d hire me, LOL. However, they might actually like it since I certainly couldn’t blog about many things as they’d be a conflict of interest. Anyway, I’m going to stick with getting my masters degree in urban planning at SLU.
If anyone out there is interested in a job with the city here is the detail of this position:
CITY OF ST. LOUIS – EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Zoning SpecialistAnnual Salary Range
Minimum Maximum
$29,978.00 $44,980.00Nature of Work
This is work interpreting and enforcing the City’s Zoning Ordinance. Responsibilities include reviewing applications for building permits, occupancy waivers, businesses, sign permits, day care, and subdivision plats; providing zoning information to the public, building inspectors, and administrative staff; updating zoning ordinance and maps; researching zoning requests and other materials; preparing violations for the City Counselor’s Office; and testifying in violation proceedings.Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field; OR, an Associate’s degree in Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Technology or related curriculum and, two years of experience in building code enforcement or zoning administration; OR, an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education.Applications can be submitted on the Internet. Visit the city web site at www.stlouiscity.com and link to Jobs with the City. You must complete the employment history and education sections of the application even if you attach a resume.
Last Date For Filing Application Is October 20, 2006
Applications can be submitted online. A Printable Application Form that can be mailed in is also available.Examination Components and Their Weights
Experience and Training Pass/Fail
Oral Interview 100%
A limited number of candidates may be called for the oral interview based on an evaluation of their experience and education as listed on the employment application. Please fully describe your work experience and educational achievements.No waiver of the Residency Requirement will be granted.
This position is not about improving or changing zoning. No, it is about enforcing the crappy zoning we’ve been stuck with for decades. Still, if you meet the qualifications and think you would enjoy the job by all means apply.
This job not your cup of tea? You can check out the list of open positions with the city here. The city also has an RSS feed for available jobs.
I don’t understand why a code enforcer would need a degree. If everything is done by the book, then no creative thinking is required.
But the “experience” is understandable. Since St. Louis’ zoning code calls for Anyplace, USA, to replace our unique fabric, the candidate qualifies simply by having previously enforced the ordinary elsewhere.
There’s not much else out there in town for urbanists, so I could understand wanting to apply for this job.
This is similar to a job I once had. I was a zoning officer in Chesterfield. I wanted to get into urban planning after college and I soon noticed most of the planning jobs are where the “growth” is. It was a great stepping stone for my career but it was odd enforcing zoning codes I didn’t personally care for. Every so often, I would have to enforce zoning codes that caused strife to businesses and citizens, but after a while I didn’t feel much sympathy since these people conscientiously chose to locate there. It’s the type of job you can only handle for a limited time until your sick of people who’s biggest problem is their neighbor down the street who was out of town and couldn’t cut their lawn. I guess its a big deal when you never leave your zip code.