What are the responsibilities and job description for the Jr Development Services Specialist position at Racine County?
Job Summary
To provide technical assistance in GIS development, maintenance, coordination, and support to the Public Works and Development Services Department and other departments as directed and provide technical assistance in the area of zoning, code administration and planning in the Development Services Department. This position also performs skilled technical and professional work and assists with the developing and maintaining GIS databases; cadastral mapping, preparing maps and GIS documents; provides support and training to users.
Key Responsibilities
- Researches, creates & implements procedural and technological changes to improve efficiencies and to modernize the County’s land records and planning operations.
- Coordinates GIS efforts in Zoning, Planning & Land Information Departments. Coordinates GIS efforts with other departments to determine needs and help fulfill those goals. Advises on how to utilize county GIS, including mobile applications.
- Helps define and implement long range plans & goals relating to development and maintenance of GIS.
- Meets regularly with staff regarding day-to-day activities of the departments and formulate long range goals.
- Coordinates and facilitates GIS group meetings.
- Administers programs and projects to ensure achievement of department goals with lean government.
- Provide guidance, leadership and assistance to staff and coordinates projects with departments.
- Responds to internal and external information requests.
- Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data pertaining to planning.
- Help coordinate development and maintenance of related planning information systems, data bases and maps.
- Performs title searches and provides historical information on County owned parcels.
- Accurately define and identify real property parcels by interpreting, describing, and mapping legal descriptions.
- Assists with the development of GIS internal and external online web map applications.
- Assist with the maintenance of the public access website.
- Assists the public in best ways to utilize county GIS data and GIS web mapping applications.
- Distribute GIS information.
- Prepare, analyze, interpret, and maintain digital data sets and maps.
- Assists in installing and testing new GIS software.
- Assist in GIS projects and data development; compiles geographic data from variety of sources.
- Trains, advises, and assists county employees as well as other governmental entities in GIS.
- Interprets orthophotography, subdivision plats, land records, reviews, and performs coordinate geometry (COGO) calculations, analyzes survey data, source maps and other records.
- Maintains GIS data files and maps for zoning and land use information, process standard and custom map requests and performs various other technical mapping duties.
- Develops complex maps, tables and charts for display using geoprocessing functions and analysis; maintain and update departmental maps as needed.
- Prepares and maintains detailed records, reports and metadata related to mapping.
- Answer correspondence and provide information on a daily basis to the public regarding land use and zoning.
- Review zoning permit applications for ordinance conformance including checking setbacks, shore land/wetland/floodplain status, topography, parking, etc. Collect fees, issue addresses and permits.
- Review and process applications for variances, shore land contracts, conditional use and rezoning request.
- Design and prepare graphic presentations for public hearings.
- Plot legal descriptions on topographical maps and research floodplain status to prepare requested floodplain determination letters.
- Understand, interpret, and enforce zoning and land use code to ensure compliance with the county ordinances.
- Provide technical information and assistance to public concerning zoning, land division, land use planning, permit and appeal processes and other land use regulations.
- Run reproduction equipment for customer requested maps and photocopies.
- Serves as a member of the Racine County Land Information Council.
- Serves as a member of the Wisconsin Land Information Association.
Supervision Received
Receives supervision from the Superintendent of Development Services.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in geography or related field.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Certification.
- Minimum of 10 years working experience using ESRI’s ArcGIS software.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in zoning, land use, or related code administration activities.
- Minimum of 3 years property listing experience.
- Experience with personal computers. (Microsoft Windows or comparable computer applications)
- Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation. Personal automobile, if used for work-related travel, must be covered by an automobile insurance policy.
- Prompt and regular attendance.
Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge and ability to interpret maps, zoning laws, ordinances, regulations planning research and analysis methods.
- Understanding of surveying principles and the ability to read and map complex legal descriptions.
- Considerable knowledge of cartographic design and map production.
- Knowledge of Wisconsin Public Land Survey System (PLSS).
- Knowledge and experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS software including ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
- Ability to develop mobile based GIS and data applications such as Survey123 and Collector.
- Working knowledge of public works, engineering, parks, and development service departments.
- Knowledge of departmental operations (70.09 Wisc. Stats.) in relation to real property lister duties.
- Knowledge of understanding of land record and real estate documents recorded in the Register of Deeds office.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, public officials, and the public.
- Ability to work independently and manage a variety of concurrent work assignments.
- Set goals, plans, schedule and prioritize projects.
- Prepare clear and concise written and oral reports and record keeping.
- Performs related functions as assigned.
- Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars/webinars, training programs, conferences and read professional journals and publications.
- Frequent (34-66%) standing, sitting, feeling, talking, hearing, use of far and near vision, as well as color vision, and carrying objects weighing 1-20 pounds.
- Occasional (1-33%) walking, stopping, kneeling, crouching, balancing, bending/twisting, reaching, lifting objects weighting 1-50 pounds, carrying objects weighing 1-20 pounds, pushing/pulling objects weighing 1-50 pounds, medium intensity of handling.
- Lifting of 51 pounds requires assistance. Assistance means the use of levers, work machines, another person, etc..
- Frequent (34-66% of workday) inside work.
- Occasional (1-33% of workday) outside work which could include exposure to extreme cold, heat, or temperature change, wet/humid, dust, pollen/molds, insect bite, noise, and vibrations.
- Calculator, copy machine, computer terminal and printer, fax machine, camera, drafting, surveying, and measuring devices, and automobile.
This description has been prepared to assist in property evaluating various classes of responsibilities, skills, working conditions, etc., present in the classification. It is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and characteristic levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities; nor, is it intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind of level of difficulty.
