THE CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF
ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRAM
Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician (CZET)
Enrollment and Certification
Procedures
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 the Institute of Public Service:
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 CCSU
(includes 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 candi-dates 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 descrip-tion(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 require-ments 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.
CAZEO PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRAM
CERTIFIED ZONING ENFORCEMENT TECHNICIAN (CZET)
Application for Certification - CZET
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 ______________