Environmental Plan Reviewer Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies. A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire. Under general supervision, the position is responsible for conducting thorough reviews of residential and commercial project plans and performs technical work within the Environmental Codes Department to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program, and other applicable environmental regulations. Employee must provide status updates and plan review information to contractors, architects, engineers, and the general public; must be able to communicate with tact, courtesy, and professionalism. Employee must be willing to take the initiative and practice independent judgement while performing their daily job duties. This role serves as a bridge between entry-level plan reviewers and the Environmental Planner, providing advanced technical support, guidance, and oversight. Reports to the Environmental Planner.
Special Duties & Responsibilities include:
Ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; initiating any actions necessary to correct deviations. Assisting the Environmental Planner and Department Director in code interpretation and technical environmental code questions; serving as a point of contact for the Department regarding plan reviews, code interpretations, wetland delineations, and other matters; may contribute to the development and refinement of departmental policies and procedures related to environmental regulations and compliance. Conducting advanced reviews of and approving/disapproving both residential and commercial project plans with an emphasis on more intermediate scale projects, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and County standards and codes before permit issuance; prepares correspondence to property owners, applicants, contractors, and engineers; maintains accurate and updated files on plans and applications while in the review process. Reviews and approves/disapproves more complex projects including those that may have significant environmental impacts and mitigation plans; verifies and determines resource protection areas, water-dependent proposals, wetlands, and potential erosion impact areas county-wide; provides high-level technical support and guidance, particularly on complex environmental impact and mitigation plans. Provides advanced technical assistance and answers questions for citizens, contractors, engineers, and the development community in person, via email, and telephone; explains and interprets codes, policies, standards, and procedures with particular focus on the state and County code that relates specifically to environmental issues. Performs customer service functions in person, by telephone, by e-mail, or by mail: provides information/assistance regarding department services, activities, procedures, timeframes, documentation, fees, or other issues; refers callers/customers to departments or state/federal agencies as appropriate. Provides administrative, logistical, and technical project oversight by tracking permit requests; manages, records, files, and performs data entry approvals within County's software system. Works with staff and applicants on alternative design measures and plan changes when necessary. Develops and delivers training sessions for staff and the development community on environmental regulations and compliance. Attends training classes and seminars to maintain a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate. Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, inspection reports, development plans, construction plans, invoices, maps, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate. Attends weekly technical review committee (TRC) meetings. May be required to attend Board of Supervisor (BOS) or Planning Commission meetings to provide technical information. Conduct field inspections, as needed, to ensure compliance with approved plans and regulations or to determine approvals for amendment and/or as-builts. Responsible for maintaining a variety of records and files. Serves as an Environmental Person of the Day (EOD) by assisting the Public with Environmental Codes questions by phone or in person. Provides assistance or backup coverage to other employees as needed. May serve as acting Environmental Planner in their absence, ensuring continuity of operations and decision-making. Performs other related duties as required. Minimum Training & Experience includes a Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field; supplemented by three (3) to five (5) years of experience in environmental plan review, including significant experience with complex projects and regulatory compliance, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Must possess and maintain a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license. Must possess or have the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire and maintain valid certifications for Virginia DEQ Dual Plan Reviewer and Dual Inspector in Erosion and Sediment Control, and Stormwater Management.
Special Requirements include:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the County and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Environmental Plan Reviewer.
Knowledge of principles and practices associated with erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, including applicable local, state, and federal laws, ordinances and regulations.
Knowledge of methods and resources to conduct research within the field.
Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with computers and software programs utilized by the position.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with engineers, surveyors, builders, developers, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the plan submission process.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and integral calculus.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret technical, and computer reports and related materials.
Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
Ability to read a variety of informational and technical documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.
Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally.
Knowledge of guidelines for proper document formatting, spelling, punctuation, and grammar in business communications.
Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.
Able to communicate professionally and respectfully.
Benefits include:
The following programs offered by Spotsylvania County provide our employees with benefits that promote employee health, well-being and financial stability, now and in the future. The County's variety of comprehensive and competitive benefit programs* include: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Life Insurance Opt-Out Program Paid Holidays Paid Leave Sick Leave Bank Supplemental Insurance Plans Tuition Assistance Program Retirement Plan Deferred Compensation - 457 Plans *Some benefits are exclusive to full-time employees. To learn more, please contact the Department of Human Resources.
