Land Use Administrator

Under general supervision of the Community Development Director, the Land Use Administrator oversees the enforcement and administration of St. Croix County’s land use and environmental ordinances, including but not limited to General Zoning, Sanitary, Lower St. Croix Riverway, Shoreland, Floodplain, Nonmetallic Mining, and Land Division. This position provides leadership and supervision to Land Use Planners and Land Use Technicians.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Administers St. Croix County’s land use-related ordinances, including but not limited to General Zoning, Sanitary, Lower St. Croix Riverway, Shoreland, Floodplain, Nonmetallic Mining, and Land Division, ensuring consistency with each ordinance’s purpose and intent.
• Provides leadership and supervision for Division staff, including hiring, training, assigning and reviewing work, and conducting performance evaluations. Offers coaching and counseling to support employee development and recommends transfers, promotions, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Issues land use and sanitary permits in accordance with applicable ordinances.
• Reviews sanitary soil tests and conducts infield soil verifications.
• Inspects new and existing private sanitary systems and monitors correction of ordinance violations.
• Updates and maintains official zoning maps.
• Communicates requirements of zoning laws and regulations to the public, real estate professionals, local municipalities, etc.
• Participates in conducting code enforcement actions; receives reports or complaints of potential ordinance code violations; inspects alleged violation sites; documents conditions observed; determines if conditions are in compliance with code; issues violation notices as warranted; issues orders for correction of ordinance code violations; verifies accomplishment of corrections; initiates appropriate enforcement action in cases of non-compliance.
• Prepares documents and staff reports for Community Development Committee, Board of Adjustment, local municipalities, and the County Board.
• Collaborates with other County departments, local municipalities, and building inspectors to provide consistent messaging and ensure code compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work allocated hours of the position, including occasional evening meetings.
• Knowledge of strategic planning principles and long and short-range planning methods.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices, including setting departmental goals and objectives, assigning and evaluating work, and maintaining staff personnel records.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information, identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending solutions for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make informed recommendations.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when navigating controversial or sensitive matters.
• Ability to take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Ability to instruct, train, and provide guidance on methods and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate employees, prepare performance evaluations, and make employment-related recommendations regarding unsatisfactory employees.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently within strict deadlines while adapting to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of County and local government policies, procedures, and departmental operations.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures, equipment, and assistance techniques, including the use of a multi-line telephone system.
• Ability to read and understand basic County and State policies and procedure of limited scope and difficulty.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to engage with the public, handle inquiries, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships with a diverse population.
• Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to prepare, recommend and monitor an operating budget, including line-item budgeting.
• Ability to comprehend complex state financial records and reporting.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to define problems, analyze facts, evaluate alternatives, and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful or unexpected situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when handling sensitive information in accordance with applicable laws.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, using hands to handle, feel, and perform fine motor skills and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms overhead or below the waist.
• Sufficient vision to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, or working with detailed data.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels for tasks such as communicating with the public, colleagues, or over the phone.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has limited exposure to environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily in an office setting with some field site visits and inspections.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, planning, geography, public administration or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ work experience working in planning and zoning.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Private On-site Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) certification, within six (6) months of hire.
• Certified Soil Tester (CST) license, within one (1) year of hire.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

• GIS/Mapping software
• Stormwater Reviews
• Land Surveying
• Erosion Control Inspector Credential