BOZA ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

This position is exempt from Civil Service and serves at the pleasure of the chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BOZA):

BOZA is an independent agency authorized to hear appeals in matters related to the zoning ordinances. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and are confirmed by the Common Council. Because the Board acts somewhat like a court, it is called a quasi-judicial body. The Board is required to follow procedures set forth by the City and State and to evaluate the facts in each case. BOZA hears approximately 700 appeals over the course of 12 hearings each year. The Board of Zoning Appeals reports annually to the Common Council regarding BOZA applications by type, location, and results.

Under the direction of the Chair and Members of the City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA), the BOZA Administrative Manager supervises staff; oversees administrative processes, records maintenance, and website management; chairs the Zoning Administration Group; represents BOZA before the public; and draws upon zoning code knowledge and expertise to support Board activities. The BOZA Administrative Manager works closely with the Office of the City Attorney, the Office of the Mayor, the Common Council, the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), the Department of City Development (DCD), and other City departments to carry out BOZA-related functions.

Administration and Supervision

• Supervise the work of BOZA staff, including recruitment, hiring, performance management and development, leave administration, and disciplinary action.
• Prepare and present an annual budget.
• Serve as custodian of records and maintain record retention policy.
• Accept service of papers and provide transcripts and records for cases appealed to Circuit Court.
• Communicate effectively with appellants.
• Manage the BOZA website and database.
• Implement new technology and processes.
• Seek ways to improve the appeals process and explore cost saving measures.

Board of Zoning Appeals

• Confer with the Administrative Officer, BOZA (Chair, Board of Zoning Appeals) on hearings, cases, and schedules.
• Confer with the Assistant City Attorneys and keep up-to-date on federal and state land use regulations and legislation that may impact BOZA.
• Review and draft requests for City Attorney opinions and advise Board members of changes.
• Work with Council Members and City departments on the status of appeals to mitigate confusion for appellants.

Zoning Administration Group

• Chair the Zoning Administration Group, confer with department heads and City staff, coordinate recommendations, and accept and review all applications.
• Meet with the Plan Examination staff on a regular basis to assist in the interpretation of the zoning code.
• Prepare legal written decisions for all cases that reflect the conditions agreed to by the Board.
• Provide consultation and general information to those submitting appeals.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Represent the Board to City departments, elected officials, and the public.
• Represent the Board at the Zoning Code Technical Committee meetings, and provide input on proposed land use regulations.
• Present information at community summits, seminars, and business fairs.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The BOZA Administrative Manager must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift and move objects.

1. Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, business or public administration, political science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Four years of experience performing duties related to this position, including at least one year of related code enforcement or planning work involving zoning ordinance administration.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Supervisory experience.

Technical

• Knowledge of land use regulations and legislation and zoning codes.
• Knowledge of governmental processes and best practices.
• Knowledge of records maintenance and retention practices.
• Knowledge of community outreach and engagement.
• Knowledge of budgeting principles and ability to prepare and monitor a departmental budget.
• Knowledge of mathematics and the ability to make accurate calculations to execute various functions such as budgeting.
• Proficiency using standard computer software such as the Microsoft Office suite and job-related enterprise systems.
• Ability to perform database management and website maintenance.
• Ability to read and interpret technical job-related documents.
• Ability to perform policy analysis, conduct research, and develop annual and ad hoc reports.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Written communication skills to produce clear and concise documents.
• Verbal communication skills to effectively share information about complex processes with City managers, elected officials, and the public.
• Presentation skills to confidently appear before various audiences regarding departmental activities.
• Customer service skills to work with appellants tactfully and positively.
• Ability to build and maintain harmonious working relationships with board members, all levels of staff, senior management, and policymakers.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team-oriented, collaborative environment with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

Leadership and Supervisory

• Political acumen and the ability to work effectively in a quasi-judicial environment.
• Ability to assign duties, monitor work, evaluate performance, provide training and coaching, perform leave administration, take disciplinary action as needed, conduct recruiting, and make hiring recommendations.
• Ability to direct and perform management improvement projects.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills as well as sound judgment.
• Organizational and planning skills to be able to effectively prioritize and accomplish tasks in an environment with regular and pressing deadlines.
• Ability to perform well under pressure.
• Self-directed and detail-oriented.
• Honesty, integrity, and ability to maintain the confidentiality and security of highly-sensitive information.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1IX) is $95,869-$112,137 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $98,745-$115,501 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

• Please include a resume and a cover letter on your application
• Inquiries regarding the selection process may be directed to Jamie Heberer via email at jheber@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.