Land Use Specialist

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Land Use Supervisor/Zoning Administrator, the Land Use Specialist serves as the Deputy Zoning Administrator by assisting in the administration, enforcement, and inspections of County zoning, subdivision and other land use ordinances. Performs related duties including providing information and assistance to landowners and others regarding zoning and land use restrictions and requirements, conducting on-site inspections, etc.  Provides backup assistance to Sanitary Inspectors as needed.  Coordinates with planning staff regarding land use planning, code revisions, and policy implementation.

Duties:

• Process and monitor various land use permits and requests, including reviewing applications for conformance with code requirements; inspecting properties for which permit application has been made; issuing applicable permits; and performing regular onsite inspections to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of permit issuance.
• Investigates complaints regarding County zoning, shoreland, erosion control/stormwater, airport, and subdivision ordinances. Initiates enforcement actions when appropriate; assists the Corporation Counsel with enforcement of orders; testifies in court as required.
• Assists property owners, builders, developers, Realtors, appraiser, and others with understanding and interpreting land use ordinances, including general & airport zoning, subdivision, floodplain zoning, shoreland/wetland zoning, non-metallic mining, and erosion control/stormwater.
• May review wetland delineations and determinations, and provide technical assistance on the application of shoreland/wetland and floodplain regulations.
• Inspects construction projects under the County shoreland, floodplain, erosion control and stormwater ordinances to ensure compliance with the ordinance and with conditions placed on permits.
• In coordination with Planning staff, advise surveyors on land use issues and review certified survey maps for compliance with land division, zoning, shoreland/wetland, and floodplain ordinances.
• Assist Planning & Zoning in the review and updating of county ordinances as required by state statute or to implement county policy as directed from the County Comprehensive Plan and/or other policy instruments as adopted by the County Board.
• Assist Planning & Zoning staff, as needed, with processing legislative and quasi-judicial reviews for consideration by the Zoning Committee, Board of Adjustment, and/or County Board including: Rezoning & Comprehensive Plan amendment requests; Variance requests and Administrative Appeals; Subdivision Plat review; Conditional Uses and Special Exceptions.
• Serve as back up to the On-Site Waste Specialist in reviewing/issuing sanitary permits, inspect installation of private on-site waste water treatment systems (POWTS), and evaluating site suitability for POWTS systems.
• In the absence of the Administrative Assistant, prepares and distributes Zoning Committee and Board of Adjustment agendas, materials, and meeting minutes.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, works overtime/extra hours as necessary.  Some evening meetings may be required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Land Use Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources or a related field with at least 2 years’ experience in land use planning & zoning administration, inspections and code enforcement, or similar experience.
• Possess or has the ability to gain Soil Tester and Plumbing Inspector II certification through on the job education and training.
• Wisconsin Driver’s License required.
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Skills & Abilities:

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, lending institutions, building contractors and plumbers, appraisers, and others verbally and in writing.
• Requires the ability to persuade, convince, influence, and monitor in favor of a desired outcome.  Requires the ability to act as a lead person.

Mathematical Ability & Technical Skills{C}tc \l1″Mathematical Ability{C}

• Working knowledge of modern principles and practices of land use planning, zoning, and other related land use issues.  Working knowledge of zoning and planning research and investigative techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, codes, and ordinances governing land use planning and zoning.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percentages, and make use of the principles of college level algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.
• Requires the ability to perform mid-level data analysis including the ability to audit, deduce, assess, conclude, and appraise.  Requires discretion in determining and referencing such to established criteria to define consequences and develop alternatives.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents including sanitation, building and other permit applications, County ordinances, soil survey manuals, wetland delineations, flood studies, maps, aerial photographs, State statutes, etc.
• Ability to use and interpret legal terminology.
• Ability to utilize basic office equipment (photocopier, fax, telephone) and computers, interpret and read and create maps utilizing GIS (ESRI ArcMap) and software systems (CityView), and operate motor vehicles as needed to carry out the duties of this position.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, and/or subjective criteria, as opposed to criteria that are clearly measurable or verifiable.

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