THE CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
ZONING ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRAM
Enrollment and Certification Procedures
Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician (CZET)
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INTRODUCTION:
Zoning Enforcement Technicians, like other emerging occupations or professions,
require special study, knowledge and skills. Because Zoning Enforcement
Technicians require a high level of professional competence, the Connecticut
Association of Zoning Enforcement Officials (CAZEO) has instituted a program of
voluntary Certification designed to raise the professional standards of Zoning
Enforcement Technicians/personnel in Connecticut towns and cities. The
professional designation of Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician (CZET)
outlined here is a result of this program.
This material has been prepared to give candidates all possible information on
the program.
OBJECTIVES:
The Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician (CZET) designation, established in
2004, is designed for Zoning Enforcement Technicians employed by a local
government, planning and zoning, and/or zoning commission in the State of
Connecticut.
The program is designed to raise the standards of the profession; to attain
recognition by governmental authorities, and the public of zoning enforcement;
to gain for zoning technicians recognition as qualified, objective public
employees, and to award a professional designation to Zoning Enforcement
Technicians who meet all requirements for certification.
ADMINISTRATION:
The certification program is administered by a CAZEO Certification Committee and
includes a chairperson and six members who are appointed by the President with
the approval of the Executive Board of CAZEO. The chairperson is appointed for a
one (1) year term, while other members are appointed for staggered two (2) year
terms. A representative from CCSU's Center for Public Policy & Social Research
serves on the Commission as an ex-officio member. The duties of the
Certification Committee are to: 1) prescribe, subject to review and approval by
the Executive Board, a policy and procedures regarding requirements for
applicants; b) screen all applicants for eligibility; c) prepare suitable
examinations; d) recommend to the Executive Board individuals qualified to
receive the professional designation of Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician
(CZET), and, e) resolve any questions or disputes regarding the certification
process. Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) under the direction of the
Certification Committee administers the educational components of the
Certification Program. CCSU is also charged with maintaining records of course
attendance.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Persons who satisfy either of the following membership requirements may register
and attend courses in the Certification program:
Regular (Full) member of CAZEO: An individual engaged in and/or responsible for
the enforcement of municipal zoning provisions in the State of Connecticut.
Persons wishing to become CAZEO members who are not actively engaged in zoning
enforcement as outlined above, but who may be involved in related code
enforcement activities, may apply to the Executive Committee for regular
membership. The
Executive Committee will review the applicant's code enforcement background and
determine whether regular membership is warranted.
Associate Member of CAZEO: An individual who is interested in zoning and the
zoning enforcement process but not actively engaged in municipal zoning
enforcement.
Associate members shall have no voting rights or right to hold office.
Enrollment priority will be given to regular members.
Only those persons who satisfy the Certification requirements will be eligible
for candidacy for certification.
ZONING ENFORCEMENT TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify, the candidate, by the date of certification, must meet all of the
following criteria:
1. Be a regular or associate member of CAZEO;
2. Have at least two years zoning enforcement experience as a person responsible
for technical assistance of the zoning regulations and/or; administration;
a. A maximum of one (1) year of zoning enforcement experience may be met by
satisfactory completion of the entire Certification Instruction Program with
associated examinations (as described below).
3. Have completed, within three (3) years of individual commencement, the
prescribed Certification Instruction Program (60 class hours) conducted by CCSU:
a. Any candidate who fails to complete the Instruction Program within the 3-year
period may be required to repeat the 48-hour core program with associated
examinations (excluding the 12-hour Institute), and achieve satisfactory
completion within eighteen (18) months of re-commencement.
4. Receive a passing grade on each of the three (3) examinations covering The
Law of Planning and Zoning, Zoning Enforcement Methods and Techniques, and
Zoning Enforcement Technology and Administration. Examinations are conducted by
Central Connecticut State University and are designed to test the candidate's
knowledge of zoning enforcement principles, practices and procedures;
a. Any candidate who fails any of these examinations will be required to again
take that examination and earn a passing grade.
5. Submit completed Application for Certification to:
John E. McCahill - Town of Avon
60 West Main Street, Avon, CT 06001
phone: 860-409-4328, fax: 860-409-4364
(include a $25.00 fee
made payable to CAZEO).
EXTENUATING AND/OR UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Job descriptions and functions vary among municipalities, therefore there may be
some candidates who regularly and consistently perform zoning enforcement
actions but are not recognized for doing so. These individuals who cannot or do
not satisfy one or more of the five Certification Requirements listed above may
become designated as a Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician if the
Certification Committee finds that:
A. The candidate submits: a detailed letter explaining which specific
requirements should be waived and why those requirements should be waived; job
description(s) and actual job functions highlighted the zoning enforcement
aspects performed; details about zoning enforcement experiences (dates of
employment, tasks and activities, responsibilities, etc.); other information to
support the candidate's claim that they should qualify for certification.
B. The candidate submits: letters of support attesting to the candidate's
enforcement work and experiences from two zoning colleagues who have worked with
the candidate including at least one Certified Zoning Enforcement Official.
C. The candidate has had a personal interview with a panel of at least three (3)
members of the Certification Committee to explain his/her situation and to
demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of zoning enforcement and his/her experience.
D. There is documented evidence of the candidate's active involvement in the
enforcement and administration of land-use regulations on a regular, consistent
and continuous basis for at least two (2) consecutive years. A maximum of one
(1) year of enforcement experience may be met by completing the 12-hour,
Institute for Zoning Enforcement Officers.
E. The candidate has successfully completed all of the courses and exams of the
Certification Program.
F. The certification of the candidate will enhance the image and reputation of
other Certified Zoning Enforcement Technicians by exemplifying that certified
persons are knowledgeable, experienced professionals worthy of such
certification by the organization.
G. There are extenuating and/or unusual circumstances and facts.
At the discretion of the Certification Committee, candidates who have not
completed all of the prescribed Certification Program within three (3) years of
starting the program may be required to: attend some or all of the training
sessions again; take and pass some of or all of the examinations; and/or satisfy
items A-G above.
APPLICATION
FOR CERTIFICATION:
Each candidate must successfully complete the certification Instruction Program
requirements within a three (3) year period. At the discretion of the
Certification Committee, the candidate may be required to appear for an
interview.
Certification of completion will be awarded by CCSU following review and
validation of an application.
The provisions of this program shall apply to qualified members that have
attended any of the required courses as of January 1, 2000. Member attending
and/or completing requirements prior to January 1, 2000, will be subject to
review, and possible interview, by the Certification Committee.
Reviewed and Approved by Certification Committee December 18, 2003 *
Reviewed and Approved by Executive Committee December 18, 2003 *
THE CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF ZONING ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS
ZONING ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRAM
CERTIFIED ZONING ENFORCEMENT TECHNICIAN (CZET)
Application for Certification
FEE: $25.00 (Payable to: CAZEO)
NAME_________________________________________________________________
PRESENT EMPLOYER ___________________________________________________
ATTACH A SHORT LETTER FROM YOUR EMPLOYER, CONFIRMING YOUR DATES
OF EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES.
OFFICIAL TITLE(S) _________________________________FROM _______________
DATE
DATES OF CURRENT EMPLOYMENT (from/to) _______________________________
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT ZONING ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
BUSINESS ADDRESS ___________________________________________________
______________________________________BUSINESS PHONE _______________
HOME TELEPHONE ____________________________________________________
NAME, POSITION & TELEPHONE NUMBER OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:
______________________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS ENFORCEMENT & ZONING RELATED EMPLOYMENT OR EXPERIENCE
(position, municipality, dates – from/to)
1) ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2) ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________ I am currently a regular member of CAZEO
________ I have completed each of the courses and passed all of the exams
offered
as part of the Certification Course Program
(List dates of course attended) _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________
I have reviewed the “Enrollment and Certification Procedures" and
believe I qualify for designation as a Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician.
SIGNATURE _________________________________________Date ______________