Position Summary

The main purpose of this position is to serve as the program administrator for the County sanitary sewage treatment systems (SSTS) and Feedlot programs. This position will also serve as the primary ex-officio member of various County committees and commissions for the purpose of planning and implementing policies and programs intended to manage, preserve and enhance the County’s natural resources. This position shall also serve as the responsible agent for administering environmental programs in the areas of public education and natural resources on behalf of McLeod County. This position will obtain authorization from the department director for the use of cross trained staff to assist with the administration of the SSTS and Feedlot ordinances when the need arises.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Duties listed are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Feedlot Officer
• Prepare agenda and give presentation to the Feedlot Committee.
• Update ordinance.
• Issue feedlot permits.
• Work with public on education of rules, violations and enforcement.
• Apply for Feedlot Grant and do record keeping and end of the year report.
• Record feedlot information into County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.
• Attend meetings on behalf of McLeod County on feedlots.
• Direct staff on work assignments when needed.
• Sanitary Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS)
• Prepare agenda and give presentations to SSTS Committee.
• Work with the public on educational activities.
• Update ordinance.
• Issue SSTS permits and administer inspections.
• Enforce violations and oversee corrective action measures.
• Assist contractors and township zoning administrators on ordinance enforcement.
• Responsible for record keeping and completing end-of-the-year report.
• Attend regular training and maintain Sub-surface Treatment System (SSTS)
• Attend meetings on behalf of McLeod County on SSTS.
• Direct staff on work assignments when needed.
• Development Review and Compliance – Environmental

• Review plans, programs and projects as they relate to environmental impact.
• Work as a team member to make recommendations on preservation of natural resources and ecological-based design solutions.
• Provide SSTS and Feedlot recommendations to Planning Advisory Committee, Board of Adjustment and various environmental committees.
• Submit required state reports in e-link, the State required software, and make application for Natural Resources Block Grants.
• Maintain a good working relationship with Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

• Public Education
• Work with local school districts, community groups and other agencies to increase awareness to protect natural resources.
• Research and pursue funding for public education, open space and natural resource initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with ordinances or regulations relevant to septic systems and feedlots.
• Develop materials, make presentations and answer questions from public and media relating to the SSTS and Feedlot programs.
• Handle calls and inquiries on pesticide, fertilizer use, and manure spreading.
• Water quality
• Assist in the planning and implementation of projects related to surface water management.
• Attend training on the above programs to learn about new procedures, policy or laws.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to maintain regular and timely work attendance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with the general public and other staff in person, over the phone, and through written correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff from the County and other governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of writing reports, grants, and requests for proposals.
• Ability to manage contracts and review proposals.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other departments, agencies, residents, contractors and the community.
• Ability to work as a team member with other departments, agencies and staff to resolve environmental issues and develop plans and programs.
• Ability to manage and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to use computer software including the Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, e-link and Delta software.
• Experience with communicating with the public and media.
• Proficient in county ordinances, state and federal rules as related to natural resources.
• Ability to effectively supervise employees.
• Ability to plan and adjust activities based on workloads in order to meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Natural Resource Science with preference toward Biology/Chemistry/Environmental Science or a directly related field plus three (3) years of professional work experience in a related field.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Certification as a SSTS Designer/Inspector must be successfully obtained within 16 months from date of hire.

Required Training

• Training is required for the resource programs administered by the department.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Minnesota driver’s license with proof of insurance.
• Certification as a SSTS Designer/Inspector must be successfully obtained within 16 months from date of hire.

Preferred education and Experience

• Experience in an environmental field related to the department’s programs.

Relationships

• Regular interaction with County and State of Minnesota staff.
• Interaction with the public through press releases and other correspondence.
• Local, regional, state and federal agencies. (SWCD, NRCS, COE, BWSR, MPCA, Department of Health, DNR, Board of Animal Health.)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Administer SSTS Ordinance and Feedlot Ordinance requirements to elected, appointed, and township officials, contractors, county staff, and the general public.
• Administer daily inspection responsibilities, to cross trained staff, in the event work load requirements dictate assistance. The department director shall authorize the use of cross trained staff members when the need arises.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and at a variety of outdoor sites.
• Frequent local driving is required on all types of roads; often required to drive or work in adverse weather conditions, and in remote areas.
• Work involves working in roadways, on waterways, and construction sites; subject to work around moving traffic and heavy equipment.
• This position may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. Incumbent may be exposed to various atmospheric conditions such as odors, dusts, pets, insects, poor ventilation, fumes, inclement weather, etc. when working in the field.
• Subject to uneven terrain, pets, wild animals, work on or around human and animal waste that may contain harmful health effects.
• Incumbent may be exposed to uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile stakeholders/individuals.

Physical Requirements Of This Position

• Physical strength to lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate various objects.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Ability to be mobile over a variety of steps, ramps, and outdoor spaces.
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate in person and over the phone with the public, employees, and others.
• Visual acuity to read computer screens and printed documents for long periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to type on a keyboard and use a computer mouse. Perform manual tasks such as handwriting and searching through documents.
• Office work may include reaching for documents and supplies, standing or kneeling to search through file cabinets, fingering to find files, grasping documents, and repetitive motions such as typing and sorting.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a daily basis, pulling on soil sampling equipment.
• Physical ability to handle hot or cold weather and to be able to traverse wet or dry ground, hilly areas, and wetland areas.

Equipment Required to Perform This Job

• Computers
• Telephones
• Mobile devices
• Motor vehicles
• Water sampling equipment
• Soil back saver
• Soil bucket auger
• GPS unit
• Scanner

Additional Notes

• All positions at McLeod County are subject to a background check. This may include, but is not limited to, the following checks: criminal history, credit, driver’s license, pre-employment physical assessment, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and psychological testing.