Zoning Enforcement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $45,656.00 - $60,153.60 Annually
Location : Cabarrus County, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY26-01416
Department: ZONING ADMINISTRATION
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Zoning Enforcement Officer - $45,656.00 - $54,579.20 Grade 16 (Entry Level).
Senior Zoning Enforcement Officer - $50,315.20 - $60,153.60. Grade 18.
Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile.
Applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for the Senior Zoning Enforcement Officer position may be considered for the Zoning Enforcement Officer position at the lower classification and pay grade of Grade 16.
General Definition of Work:
Performs advanced complex technical work ensuring compliance with the Cabarrus County Development Ordinance (CDDO), Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and other land use development regulations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Planning and Development Director.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:
Enforcing Development Ordinance and other various land development regulations; providing technical assistance to developers and the public; inspecting properties for compliance; processing non-compliance cases, maintaining records; preparing reports, reviewing site plans, frequent interaction with the public.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
• Uses Accela permitting system to track daily work and enter case notes.
• Performs proactive development ordinance enforcement.
• Interprets and applies the development ordinance to various situations and property configurations.
• Explains, answers questions, and troubleshoots complex zoning permitting situations.
• Provides information related to zoning permitting and the CCDO on the phone and in person.
• Issues zoning permits and non-compliance notices.
• Serves as primary point of contact for commercial site plan review; conducts reviews, issues permit, inspects finished site for compliance with approved plans and issues COC.
• Coordinates with outside review agencies and regulatory agencies on proposed projects and complaints received.
• Investigates suspected development ordinance non-compliance reported by others or observed.
• Takes required action to correct verified non-compliance.
• Prepares letters, citations and case reports using Accela permitting system.
• Communicates verbally and in writing with review agencies, violators and persons submitting complaints.
• De-escalates situations with irate or difficult customers related to non-compliance.
• Evaluates zoning permit applications; determines if proposal conforms to required development standards.
• Checks setbacks for residential structures and accessory structures and in response to complaints.
• Conducts general and complex property research using available county resources.
• Analyzes and interprets GIS and other data related to zoning and property conditions; provides information concerning allowable uses.
• Creates maps using ArcGIS/ArcPro and available data.
• Prepares and maintains detailed records, files, and data bases.
• Locates identified projects/property and interprets FEMA flood maps in relation to property and permitting.
• Assists with processing Floodplain Development Permit applications.
• Prepares and presents case information at Board of Adjustment meetings and in court.
• Serves as mentor and assists with training Zoning Compliance Officer as needed.
• Performs related tasks as required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of the County Development Ordinance and various land use and environmental codes; ability to read and interpret blueprints, site plans and designs and to ensure compliance with appropriate ordinances and codes; thorough knowledge of legal procedures related to the enforcement of ordinances and codes; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, associates and the general public; ability to enforce ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality; customer service skills, including ability to deal with difficult and irate customers and property owners; ability to use ArcGIS/ArcPro and to perform deed research.
Minimum Education / Experience requirements
Zoning Enforcement Officer Education and Experience (Entry Level):
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning or related field preferred. Some zoning or code enforcement experience preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Senior Zoning Enforcement Officer Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, zoning, criminal justice, public administration, or related field with considerable progressive zoning and development code enforcement experience. Certification as a North Carolina Certified Zoning Official (CZO) required. Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred or must be obtained within 2 years of employment. Experience using ArcGIS/ArcPro.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.
If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.
Special Requirements:
Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Significant amount of driving required for field work. Night meetings required. Experience with Accela software a plus.
Physical Requirements:
This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and some medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. May encounter aggressive animals during field work.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental and Contact Information:
Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 - 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.
For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.

• Earned vacation & sick leave
• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• Floating Holiday
• Paid Personal Day
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Parental Bonding Leave

• Participation in the Local Government Employees Retirement System
  • Mandatory 6% employee contribution

• 5% employer-paid contribution to NC401K, with no employee match required
  • Employees have the option to contribute additional monies to the NC401K plan or to a 457 retirement savings plan

• Health Insurance plans
  • Consumer driven plan including a health savings account
  • PPO Plan
  • Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Comprehensive health & wellness program
  • On-site exercise equipment & programs
  • Health & wellness themed instructional classes
  • Employee health clinic
  • Employee assistance program (ex. Individual & family counseling, legal & financial services, child & elder care location assistance, etc.)

• Choice of optional dental plans
  • PPO (Preferred Provider Option) or non-PPO
  • Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Vision Plan
  • Includes an annual routine eye exam for individuals on the health insurance plan.
  • Optional eyewear plan available

• $20,000 of term life insurance & accidental death & dismemberment coverage with employer-paid premiums
  • Employee option for up to $50,000 of additional term life coverage

• Optional dependent life insurance coverage for spouses & children

01
I understand in order to be qualified for this position, the description of my work experience must clearly reflect the required education and experience as well as the posted knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. I have included all of this information within my application. (If you haven't completed the application requirements, please return to your application to finish it before submitting your application.) Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.

• Yes
• No

02
What is the highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

03
Are you currently employed with Cabarrus County Government?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever worked in planning, zoning, engineering, or law enforcement? If so, please briefly describe the experience you have.
06
Do you have 6 months of working experience performing the following duties? (Answering multi-line telephone; routing calls; greeting public; providing routine information and performing office assistance tasks)

• Yes
• No

07
Have you ever been responsible for record keeping or file maintenance?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you have a North Carolina Certified Zoning Officer certification? If so, how long have you been certified?
09
Have you ever been responsible for conducting c