Land Use/Conservation Technician I/II

This position performs skilled technical field work reviewing erosion control and stormwater practices for Land Use and Land and Water Conservation Divisions for residential, commercial and agricultural land uses; and field inspections of Nutrient Management Plans and farmland preservation plans; maintains electronic records and files; and responds to the public regarding division programs and information. Work is performed under the direction of the Land Use Planner or Conservation Planner and supervision of the Land Use Administrator or Land and Water Conservation Administrator. Specific assignment may be made to this position with a primary focus on Land Use , Land and Water Conservation, Code Enforcement, or a varied combination of assignments.

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.

• Informs development professionals, local officials, agricultural producers, and the general public about the standards and procedures required by County ordinances.
• Reviews permit applications for conformance with the applicable standards and procedures of County ordinances and conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) standards.
• Inspection of erosion control and stormwater management practices on agricultural land, plats, and construction sites; prepares and files inspection reports and determines site compliance.
• Assists planners, administrator, consultants, and other County staff with review and comment on proposed revisions to County plans and ordinances.
• Researches customer inquiries in relation to compliance with County ordinances as assigned by Supervisors and provides written responses to landowners.
• Assists Planners with field surveys and project work related to best management practices (BMPs)
• Assists in the maintenance of department permit files, databases, and geographic information systems for the administration of County land use ordinances.
• Conducts research and compiles information for other members of staff to streamline projects and workloads.
• Assists other governmental entities and municipalities for all types of land use and conservation questions.
• Tracks activities and practices in permitting software and Geographic Information System coordinating with GIS Analyst on a regular basis.
• Participates in training and continuing educating to maintain required certifications and develop professionally.
Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Additional Code Enforcement Functions:

• Administer and enforce County ordinances, including comprehensive land use (zoning), sanitary, subdivision, shoreland, telecommunication towers, animal storage, floodplain, and the St Croix Riverway regulations.
Conducts code enforcement actions; receives complaints of potential ordinance violations; inspects alleged violation sites; documents conditions observed; determines if conditions are in compliance with code; provides corrective outreach to encourage compliance; issues orders for correction of ordinance code violations; verifies accomplishment of corrections; initiates appropriate enforcement action in cases of non-compliance; issues violation notices and citations as warranted.

Additional Land Use Functions:
Tech I

• Screen zoning/sanitary/land division/etc. requests, phone calls, and emails; assists or directs to the correct staff; creates background file for staff; and provides appropriate materials to the inquirer (Septic, Well, Soil info).
• Conducts follow-up inspections to assure compliance with Conditional Use Permits, Land Use Permits and stormwater plans and erosion control practices.
• Participates in Technical Review Team meetings as requested.
• Assists with NR151 compliance for land divisions, land use and conditional use permits.
• Conducts on-site field inspections to determine and document property conditions for conformance with applicable standards in County land use ordinances.

Tech II

• Assists with the administration of the St. Croix County Sanitary Code: conducts soil test reviews, reviews water samples, issues sanitary permits, conducts on-site inspections and assists with enforcement of septic violations.
• Assists with enforcement of land use ordinances which includes screens complaints, investigates and documents alleged violations, identifies and informs property owners and occupants of specific violations, works to resolve enforcement issues and performs ongoing inspections.
• Assists Land Use Administrator with preparation of documentation for Corporation Counsel review related to enforcement of County land use ordinances and testifies as needed.
• Participates in the review of applications for conditional uses, variances, subdivisions and rezoning.
• Maintains database of all County permitted Non-Metallic Mines; sends mailings annually to collect permit fees and assesses current mining operations. Performs inspections annually in accordance with County permit conditions, NR 135 and statutes.
Assists with the administration of County Zoning and Land Division Ordinances; reviews and issues land use permits and performs site inspections related to permit approval.

Additional Conservation Functions:
Tech I

• Provides information and assistance to landowners regarding soil and water conservation programs; assist landowners with implementing conservation plan requirements; serves as a resource for other agencies regarding soil and water conservation.
• Conducts inspections to assure compliance with conservation and agricultural storm water and erosion control plans and practices and program requirements pertaining to Farmland Preservation, Animal Waste Ordinance and NR 151 compliance utilizing SNAP PLUS software.
• Assists with and generates reports from annual transect survey for land use changes and cropping practices.
• Promotes conservation through informational and educational programs that include field days, tours, training workshops, school-age programs, and presentations.
• Assists with review of NR 151 compliance, Nutrient Management Plans and Farmland Preservation Program by conducting field visits and reviewing self-certification submittals.
• Assists with field surveys and production of engineered plans for best management practices (BMPs) utilizing AutoCAD software and survey equipment.

Tech II

• Lead staff for the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) providing assistance to enrolled and interested landowners regarding the program and its NR151 compliance requirements and serves as a resource for other agencies regarding FPP within St. Croix County.
• Performs surveys and produces engineered plans for best management practices (BMPs) utilizing AutoCAD software, survey equipment, and ArcGIS. Obtains engineering job approval from Department of Ag Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Calculate and reports phosphorous and other pollutant reduction numbers for implemented projects using computer modeling (STEPL).
• Conducts and maintains the County Annual transect survey to monitor crops, tillage, cover crops, and other ag activities and land use changes.
• Works with landowners to complete cost share projects such as nutrient management plans and well abandonments using County cost-share funds.
• Conducts site response and reporting related to reported spills and reported complaints in accordance to the County Spill Response Plan.
Assists with nitrate and groundwater monitoring programs conducted by the county; reports and inspects new and existing sinkholes for groundwater protection.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skill in analyzing administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• 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.
• Knowledge of County policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of local government organization and its departmental operating requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, equipment and office assistance techniques.
• Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office Suite, GIS and AutoCAD software.
• 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 work the allocated hours of the position.
• Ability to lawfully operate designated motor vehicles at all times that duties are performed.
• Ability to travel throughout and enter all different properties in the jurisdiction.
Ability to provide truthful and accurate written and verbal communications.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to explain relevant information effectively to 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.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

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 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.
Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems.

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 25 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.
• Site inspections and field investigations necessitate exposure to variable weather conditions and occasionally to hazardous materials/conditions.
Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Land Use/Conservation Technician I

• Bachelor s Degree in land use planning, regional planning, conservation/environmental science, soil science, geology, civil engineering, agronomy, biology, water resources conservation, agricultural engineering or related field. Law enforcement or Criminal Justice degrees will be considered for Code Enforcement assignment.
Minimum of six (6) months practical work experience (which may be obtained through an internship).

Land Use/Conservation Technician II

• Meets minimum education of Land Use/Conservation Technician I.
• Two (2) years experience working in land use, land and water conservation, or similarly related role that performs Land Use/Conservation Technician I duties.
• Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) Inspector Certification.
• Certified Soil Tester license.
• Wisconsin or Minnesota Soil Erosion Control Inspector Certification.
• Core Competency Certificate in Soils, Water Quality and Conservation Planning from a technical training and certification program (Conservation Division only).