Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteer Experience
References
Timeline
Generic

THERESA M. SNYDER

South Bound Brook,NJ

Summary

A Senior Land Use Paralegal, New Jersey state certified zoning officer and planning/zoning board secretary, adept in flood risk management, climate resilience, urban development and redevelopment procedures, green infrastructure, easements, subdivisions, municipal zoning, and affordable housing (COAH/Fair Share Housing) matters Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Land Use Paralegal (hybrid)

Savo Schalk
Somerville, NJ
08.2022 - Current
  • Distributes, coordinates, and tracks attorney workflow
  • Oversees the submission of documents needed for development application to local municipal land use boards and develops templates for same
  • Draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, affidavits, retainer agreements
  • Conducts public records research and reviews County tax assessment rolls
  • Review legal descriptions of properties
  • Assists in the preparation of easement agreements, deeds, lot consolidation
  • Supervise legal assistants in land use procedures
  • Communication with partners, municipal officials and professional services representatives
  • Invoicing and Accounts Receivable
  • Provides legal assistance and general support to Partners with the preparation and maintenance of files for cases in civil litigation
  • Efile court documents
  • Create and manage project deadlines for clients
  • Case management of client files.
  • Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
  • Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
  • Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
  • Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
  • Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
  • Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
  • Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.

Planning/Zoning Board Clerk (hybrid)

Borough of Watchung
Watchung, NJ
03.2018 - 05.2023
  • Manage all aspects of land use board department
  • Research and analyze department operations and procedure improvement efforts to develop a community friendly land use division
  • Performing preliminary analysis of gathered information to assist with preparation of accurate reports to the Board, Governing Body, and Members of the public concerning redevelopment and affordable housing project and other land use development
  • Self-management of workflow for three different land use boards
  • Provide advice and guidance concerning the interpretation of zoning regulations
  • Case Management of land use applications
  • Received and processed requests for information under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
  • Prepare monthly/annual financial statements
  • Notice meetings pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act
  • Report to Chairperson of each board
  • Oversee escrow accounts for board applicants
  • Create agendas and take minutes of meetings
  • Maintain files for limited discovery, legal complaints, and summary judgments
  • Assist the Zoning Officer in determining board jurisdiction in accordance with NJ Municipal Land Use Law.
  • Provided meeting support by taking minutes and dictations.
  • Maintained filing system and organized customer documents for easy retrieval of information.
  • Reviewed files, records and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
  • Edited and proofread documents for accuracy and completeness.
  • Provided quality clerical support through data entry, document management, email correspondence, and overseeing operation of office equipment.
  • Interacted with customers by phone, email, or in-person to provide information.
  • Produced high-quality communications for internal and external use.

Assistant for Fire Official & Environmental Commission Secretary

Township of Branchburg
02.2020 - 06.2020
  • Performed all the office duties of the fire official department and acted as the secretary to the environmental commission as a temporary employee.

Planning/Zoning Board Clerk

Township of Branchburg
12.2017 - 02.2018
  • Performed all the duties of a planning and zoning board secretary as a temporary employee.

Acting School Administrator

New Life Christian School
Dunellen, NJ
01.1996 - 01.2015
  • Supervise teachers and staff
  • Oversee daily school operations
  • Execute emergency response plan during 9/11
  • Review policies and procedures and coordinating information in order to prepare reports and presentations for review of school administration
  • Wrote regulations, operating instructions, and procedures implemented for faculty and students
  • Drafted and edited revisions to the faculty and parent/student manuals
  • Oversee payment of parent tuition accounts
  • Custodian of petty cash and preparation of bank deposits
  • Reviewed school budget with school board members
  • Planned and executed staff and student schedules for grades 1-12
  • Supervised school admission process
  • Oversaw standardized annual testing.
  • Supervised, assessed and mentored teachers and paraprofessionals.
  • Met with parents of prospective students to discuss student needs and school offerings.
  • Set academic and behavioral standards for students.
  • Served as liaison between parents and students.
  • Coordinated school facility use with maintenance personnel to achieve equitable access.
  • Proposed and executed budget of $1,000,000 per school year.
  • Collaborated with administration staff to develop functional budgets within allocated funds.
  • Coordinated retrieval and distribution of student records from other schools and institutions.
  • Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
  • Managed budgets and resources for educational programs.
  • Counseled students about rules and policies during school assemblies.
  • Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
  • Verified student grades, attendance and schedules.
  • Coordinated staff and student activities to promote a safe and productive learning environment.
  • Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
  • Maintained school focus on learning by enforcing rules related to academics, student discipline and class attendance.
  • Supported teachers in learning and applying new skills through meaningful professional development.
  • Proposed and executed budget of $1,000,000 per school year.

Secondary Department Teacher/Coach

New Life Christian School
01.1999 - 01.2003
  • Taught basic math, history, physical science, government & economics, speech
  • Coached cheerleading.

Elementary Department Teacher/Coach

New Life Christian School
01.1996 - 01.1999
  • Taught all core subjects of Third and Fourth Grade.

Education

Juris Master, American Legal Studies -

Liberty University School of Law

Zoning Administration and Enforcement Certification - undefined

Planning/Zoning Board Secretary Certification - undefined

Introduction to The Duties of The Municipal Clerk - undefined

Rutgers, Center for Government Services

Advanced Duties of The Municipal Clerk - undefined

Rutgers, Center for Government Services

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education - undefined

Pensacola Christian College

PhD in Public Administration in progress, Public Administration Ethics, Statesmanship, & Governance (98.6%), Human Resources and the Legal and Regulatory Context of Public Administration (100%), Studies in Urban Planning & State & Local Government (99.8%) - undefined

Liberty University, Helms School of Government
05.2024

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Confident
  • Self-Starter
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Decision Maker
  • Trustworthy
  • Adaptability
  • Responsive
  • Notary Public
  • Experienced with all Microsoft Office applications
  • Experienced in municipal and school data-based programs- Edmunds, SDL, and FACTS Management
  • Experienced in legal research and litigation websites- eCourts, Lexis Advance, PC Law
  • Experienced with TEAMS, ZOOM, and GoToMeetings virtual platforms
  • Project Management
  • Proficient in MS Office
  • Office Administration
  • Calendar Management
  • Case Management
  • Administrative Support
  • Legal writing

Volunteer Experience

  • New Life Gospel Church, 1996, 2015, Developed and oversaw a weekly children's program; held weekly youth meetings and gatherings; directed annual children's vacation Bible school
  • American Red Cross, 2001, 2004, Emergency Services, Attended classes and received certifications in disaster services; assisted in canteening for those displaced by fire; assisted in overnight shelters

References

Available upon request

Timeline

Senior Land Use Paralegal (hybrid)

Savo Schalk
08.2022 - Current

Assistant for Fire Official & Environmental Commission Secretary

Township of Branchburg
02.2020 - 06.2020

Planning/Zoning Board Clerk (hybrid)

Borough of Watchung
03.2018 - 05.2023

Planning/Zoning Board Clerk

Township of Branchburg
12.2017 - 02.2018

Secondary Department Teacher/Coach

New Life Christian School
01.1999 - 01.2003

Acting School Administrator

New Life Christian School
01.1996 - 01.2015

Elementary Department Teacher/Coach

New Life Christian School
01.1996 - 01.1999

Juris Master, American Legal Studies -

Liberty University School of Law

Zoning Administration and Enforcement Certification - undefined

Planning/Zoning Board Secretary Certification - undefined

Introduction to The Duties of The Municipal Clerk - undefined

Rutgers, Center for Government Services

Advanced Duties of The Municipal Clerk - undefined

Rutgers, Center for Government Services

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education - undefined

Pensacola Christian College

PhD in Public Administration in progress, Public Administration Ethics, Statesmanship, & Governance (98.6%), Human Resources and the Legal and Regulatory Context of Public Administration (100%), Studies in Urban Planning & State & Local Government (99.8%) - undefined

Liberty University, Helms School of Government

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THERESA M. SNYDER