Zoning Specialist at Polk County (WI) – Balsam Lake, Wisconsin

Under direction of the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Specialist promotes and protects the environmental health, safety and general welfare of the county citizens through regulation of Polk County Comprehensive Land Use, Sanitary, Shoreline Zoning, Floodplain, Wetlands, Subdivision, Telecommunication, Small Wind Energy, County Rural Addressing, and any other land use Ordinances as adopted by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.

• Assists with administration of the Comprehensive Land Use, Floodplain, Wetlands, Subdivision, Telecommunication, Small Wind Energy, and County Rural Addressing Ordinances so that land is developed in a safe, healthy, and orderly manner
• Administers and enforces the Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) ordinance and corresponding Wis. Administrative Code (Chapter SPS 381-387,391)
• Provides information and assistance concerning code and ordinance requirements to the general public, contractors, real estate agents, attorneys, lenders, appraisers, plumbers, surveyors, engineers, and land developers in written form, orally and through on-site visits
• Conducts on-site inspections for Shoreland Zoning & Land Use Permit applications
• Reviews ordinances and proposes changes when necessary
• Reviews and inspects private on-site wastewater treatment (septic) system installation and files necessary reports
• Reviews and inspects conditional use permits and variances for compliance with established conditions
• Reviews Certified Soil Tests and completes onsite soil verification and files necessary reports
• 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
• Represents the Department at Zoning Committee, Public Hearing and Board of Adjustment Meetings when needed
• Assigns rural addresses in compliance with the Polk County Rural Address Numbering System
• Maintain a professional relationship with staff, peers, and upper management
• Assist the public, other county departments or government agencies with questions or requests
• Attends continuing education seminars and conferences & keeps licenses active
• Other duties as assigned by the Zoning Administrator or Land Information Director

Supervisory Responsibilities: None
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Land Use/Planning (e.g. Soil Science, Natural Resources, Sanitation, Environmental Health or other related field)
• Or Associates degree from an accredited institution in land use, planning, or related studies with 2 years zoning or planning experience
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:

• Must hold a current Wisconsin Driver's License or have access to a regular source of transportation.
• Within six months of hire, must obtain a POWTS (Private On-site Wastewater Treatment System) certification and must obtain a Certified Soil Tester (CST) license.

Competency Requirements:

• Judgment and Decision Making- Accurately assesses situations, seeks new information if necessary, and applies all available information to reach sound conclusions/formulate effective response. Requires little guidance for responding to a wide range of complex situations with far-reaching and/or enduring consequences.
• Analytical and Mathematical Ability - Identifies, obtains, and evaluates relevant information to establish relationships or patterns, cite causes, and reach logical conclusions. Considers a multitude of diverse factors, their interrelationships, the perspectives of others, alternative courses of action and their likely ramifications with evaluating information to reach a conclusion. Works with varying degrees of mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of geometry and trigonometry, applying concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions in practical situations.
• Self-Management - Organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a way that maximizes efficient performance; establishes and adjusts priorities to ensure timely completion of assigned work/fulfill responsibilities.
• Stress Tolerance - Maintains effective performance when under pressure, confronted with opposition or criticism, and/or when the situation is dangerous. Ability to continue performance of duties in times of insufficient staff or resources, fluctuation or uncertainty of direction or role, and times of encountering disagreements or criticism when performing duties. Presentation and defense of position in a public forum, which at times entails facing opposition, may be required.
• Fact Finding - Obtains required information through interviewing individuals, review of existing materials, or securing new materials to answer a question or address a problem.
• Results Orientation - Maintains a focus on objectives to be achieved and acts accordingly to ensure their accomplishment. Remains focused on outcome and not process.
• Emotional Maturity - Maintains a calm and task-oriented approach to work even under circumstances of conflict or hostility; maintains neutrality and effective performance even in the face of unjustified challenge or direct criticism in a public forum.
• Written and Verbal Communication – Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing. Writes lengthy reports, instruction manuals, in-depth analyses/review of complex issues. Verbally communicates complex issues relating to regulation and enforcement.
• Community Relations – Communicates/Interacts with members of the public in a way that elicits positive response and participation, which on occasion, may include interaction either one-on-one or with several members of the public at one time to present information, persuade, solicit input. Some interactions may be likely to arouse hostility.

Minimum Skills Assessment Requirements: Must be capable of operating a personal computer using standard graphical interface word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail software.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in precarious places and in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can occasionally be loud.