Planning/GIS Technician

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible to perform technical support related to land use planning, research, documentation, graphic and GIS work for the Community Development Department. This position will assist staff with planning projects, general zoning information management, and maintenance of St. Croix County’s Geographical Information System (GIS).

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.

• Develops reports and technical documents for distribution and presentation to the general public, oversight committees and boards, and other interested parties.
• Participates in public workshops and meetings.  Assists in preparation for meetings, answers questions, and records opinions.  May facilitate discussions.
• Collects data and maintains databases and other forms of planning division reference information.
• Researches, evaluates, and presents background information and data pertaining to projects, including land use, population, and employment information.
• Records, reviews, and reports opinions expressed by public.
• Creates and updates maps, diagrams, graphs and land use inventories designed for public and internal use.
• Assists in the maintenance of county-wide Geographic Information System data layers.
• Assists in the edit and update of the GIS tax parcel layers using ESRI Parcel Fabric editing procedures.
• Perform spatial analysis to assist the department in developing plans and ordinances.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of ArcGIS Online web mapping applications. .
• Performs site visits as necessary to collect data in the field.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of computer information systems, mathematics, and geometry.
• Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software.
• Knowledge of mapping and GIS system principles, practices, techniques and equipment.
• Ability to understand municipal plans, ordinances, and regulations.
• Knowledge of County policies, procedures and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with vendors, administration staff, other department heads and governmental officials.
• Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• Knowledge of the County and department programs and policies.
• Knowledge of 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.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and perform word processing and/or data entry.
• General knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Ability to explain relevant information effectively various audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal form.
• Must be proficient in workplace English and spelling.
• Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

• Ability to calculate mathematical calculations.

• 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 and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

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. 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work performed may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily in an office setting, although field work may occur on occasion.
• Work may be in adverse weather conditions where variations and extremes in environmental factors such as temperature, odors, noise, wetness, and/or dust, may cause some discomfort and where there is a risk of minor injury.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in GIS, Planning, or other related field.
• Relevant field experience/internship in Planning and/or GIS.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENT