Planning and Zoning Administrator

Land Services Department

Planning and Zoning Administrator
Level: 190

The anticipated starting hourly rate for this position is $36.51 (Step 1) -$39.50 (Step 3)/hour depending on experience. With a full future earning potential of $36.51 (Step 1) -$49.97 (Step 9)/hour ($75,940.80 - $103,937.60 annually). This position is a full-time 40 hours per week and eligible for full-time county BENEFITS PACKAGE.

Job Summary:

Develops and administers current and long-range land use planning programs for Cook County.  Assists in the development of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan and other improvement projects for the County.  Assists in the administration, development, and enforcement of zoning, subdivision and other land use related ordinances.  Direction may be exercised over the work of clerical or technical staff.  Provides technical assistance to County Board, and other appointed Boards and Commissions.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this classification.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Administer and oversee updates and management of the County’s land use related ordinances, including but not limited to: Land Use Guide Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Tower Ordinance, etc.
2. Assists in development and implementation of long-range plans and land use controls for overall physical development in the County. Examples:  Land Use Guide Plan, Zoning Ordinance and map, Subdivision Regulations, Lake Superior North Shore Management Plan and One Watershed, One Plan
3. Reviews applications and prepares reports on appeals, variances, interim/conditional uses, rezoning, boundary line adjustment, subdivision, and planned unit developments for the County. Works with the applicant, conducts field inspections, interprets Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance, State Rules, Statutes or other applicable regulations, and determines if regulations have been complied with.
4. Oversee county gravel pit permits and aggregate resource planning efforts.
5. Advises the Land Services staff, members of the public, public officials and others on technical aspects of zoning, planning, environmental, and land use policies and regulations.
6. Receives and investigates zoning ordinance complaints/violations; questions witnesses; determines validity of complaints; files complaint; prepares reports and forms; collaborates with County Attorney; testifies in court if necessary.
7. Process, review, and approve/deny all applications for land subdivisions, including administrative subdivision, plats, and boundary line adjustment, within the areas of County jurisdiction.
8. Reviews applications and approves or disapproves land use permits according to requirements of zoning ordinances for County.
9. Administers County sign regulations, including review and approval of denial of sign permit applications.
10. Provides policy direction to various commissions, boards and committees; (i.e. County Planning Commissions, Board of Adjustment, County Board of Commissioners, etc.)
11. Attends meetings of County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, provide technical analysis of land use public hearings and ensure quasi-judicial review process is followed per Minnesota State Rules and Cook County Ordinances. Maintain records of these cases and ensure decisions are recorded accurately.
12. Conducts field inspections including land use permit site evaluations, septic system evaluations.
13. Prepares various planning reports and environmental studies.
14. Processes projects that require environmental review.
15. Assists in coordinating departmental efforts with those of other agencies (state, regional and local); represents department at day or night meetings. Supplies information to and cooperates with interested public and private agencies in the conduct of programs to promote public interest and support of planning programs.
16. Prepares annual reports to Department of Commerce summarizing the number of permits issued and value of construction for the County.
17. Attends seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences pertinent to the mission of planning and zoning.
18. Maintain professional demeanor during high-conflict interactions with the public and apply conflict resolution skills to maintain the County’s due process and respect landowners’ private property rights.

Non-Essential Functions:  

1. Perform other related duties as assigned.
   
   

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• College degree with a major in planning or an acceptable related field plus four (4) years of relevant experience in professional planning work.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Preferred: Septic systems inspection certification

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and skill in clerical functions, Microsoft Office Suite, and computer database operation.
• Ability to prepare and present written reports, letters, and materials, and to make verbal presentations.
• Ability to provide optimal customer service skills.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral forms.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to administer operating rules and procedures under management guidance.
• Knowledge of federal law, Minnesota statutes, local ordinances, case law as it relates to land use. 
• Ability to use considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret data from several sources; interpretation of guidelines, policies and procedures is required.
• Ability to communicate with the department and other departments, outside agencies, officials and public on matters requiring cooperation, explanation and persuasion and enforcement of laws, ordinances, policies and procedures.  
• Effective communication with department and other departments, outside agencies and public on specialized matters requiring detailed or technical responses/explanations.

Internal/External Relationships:

• General public
• Cook County Board of Commissioners
• Cook County Planning Commission
• Cook County Board of Adjustment
• Other County Department staff
• North Shore Management Board
• Minnesota Association of Planning and Zoning Administrators
• Private attorneys; Contractors; Realtors; Lake Associations; surveyors

Working Environment: 

• Duties are performed in a regular office environment, with frequent site reviews during developments or zoning issues resolution.
• Duties are also performed during public hearings before Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, with regular presentations to the County Board of Commissioners.
• Outdoor work may involve uneven terrain, dense brush, steep slopes, tall grass, rocky or slippery surfaces, and remote areas requiring bushwhacking or travel over ice or water.
• Exposure to outdoor hazards such as sunburn, poison ivy, insect bites, inclement weather, and physical risks from pets, wild animals, and heavy equipment noise.
• May encounter hostile or angry individuals during site visits, in the office, or by phone.

Physical Requirements Of This Position:

• Sit or stand at a desk for extended periods of time and perform office tasks such as typing, filing, and document handling.
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate in person and over the phone with the public, employees and others, including at professional levels outside the organization, to include attorneys, judges, law clerks, clients, law enforcement personnel.
• Visual acuity to read computer screens and printed documents.
• 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 to search through file cabinets, fingering to find files, holding documents, and repetitive motions such as typing and sorting.
• Fieldwork requires climbing stairs, kneeling, walking, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and maintaining balance.
• Lift objects, boxes of files, and other equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

“This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer”

 Cook County MN will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, veteran status, or status about public assistance. We take affirmative steps to ensure that all our county’s employment practices are free of discrimination.

Salary : $75,941 - $103,938