Land Conservation and Planning & Zoning Department - Manager

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Planning, Agriculture, or related field with five years administrative/supervisory experience directing and planning conservation programs, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities. Master's degree preferred. A valid motor vehicle operator's, soil testers and plumbing inspector II licenses are required.

Job Objectives:

This position is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Lafayette County Land Conversation department and the Lafayette County Planning and Zoning Department.

Essential functions:

• Directs, administers and manages the operations of the Land Conservation and Planning, and Zoning Department; develops and monitors internal policies; prepares annual department budgets (revenue, operations, grant, and capital improvement); authorizes and monitors the activity and expenditures of department budgets.
• Supervises professional and administrative support personnel; interviews and recommends new personnel; provides instruction and training; plans, coordinates, assigns and reviews work; approves time off requests; evaluates performance and recommends promotions, disciplinary action, discharges, and salary increases.
• Manages and supervises the administration of comprehensive zoning, wetland, shore land, and floodplain zoning, exclusive agricultural zoning (farmland preservation), nonmetallic mine reclamation, land division, onsite, waste, nutrient management, animal waste and manure management. Determines need for, drafts, and recommends new ordinances and amendments to existing ordinances and new forms and amendments to existing forms including form letters.
• Assists public with applications and explanations of department programs; reviews applications for department programs; issues or denies permits; conducts site inspections of permitted projects to ensure compliance with code requirements.
• Investigates complaints; prepares notices of noncompliance and orders; follows up with referrals to Corporation Counsel; prepares for and attends initial appearances, pre-trial conferences, and trials.
• Represents the County and coordinates department activities with other groups and other governmental agencies.
• Prepares and presents annual department activity reports; acts as custodian of departmental records.
• Directs and oversees enforcement of County Ordinances concerning sanitary systems, shore land and floodplain, land subdivisions, zoning, storm water management and non-metallic mining.
• Directs and oversees County efforts in the areas of land use planning, including comprehensive planning.
• Provides soil and water conservation program eligibility information. Provides technical advice and assistance to clients regarding soil capability and suitability for septic system, sludge spreading uses. Mediates disputes and problems with other conservation programs or agencies. Reviews environmental problems for possible solutions and eligibility for cost sharing. Reviews projects for compliance with statutes, contracts.
• Maintains knowledge of current laws, regulations and policies related conservation, planning & zoning. Maintains contact with State and Federal Legislators as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in oversight committee meetings and other local and regional meetings regarding land and soil conservation issues. Prepares agendas and other documents as needed.
• Directs and oversees the Land Records program.
• Supports Fish and Game habitat programs
• Provides communication link to the County from the County Sportsman Alliance regarding Blackhawk Memorial Park.
• Designs, surveys and installs conservation practices. Modifies conservation plans.
• Reviews site construction for cost share eligibility.
• Completes duties that are associated with a Farmland Preservation Program.
• Contacting and screening participants to determine program eligibility status based on cropland erosion estimates for Farmland Preservation Programs.
• Notify and work with landowners to ensure performance standards and conservation plans are in compliance with the FPP program.
• Develop Nutrient Management Plans, and conduct SNAP + Training with local farmers.
• Work with landowners, FSA, DATCP on CREP contracts to ensure completeness.
• Plan, design, and implement the specific Best Management Practices needed on individual crop fields in reference to landowner’s conservation plan.
• Data Management for conservation planning and revisions, conducting spot checks on the FPP participant’s lands and document all non-compliance requiring LCC action.
• Assist in preparation of the reports required by LCC, NRCS, DNR, DATCP, including time fiscal reports, plan of work and annual/monthly reports.
• Ability to utilize advisory and design data and information such as financial statements, conservation plans, grant applications, cost share agreements, contracts, program and project certifications, appeals, invoices, time sheets, resolutions, ordinances, engineering technical manuals, DNR manuals and regulations, Soil/Water Resource Management Policy Manual and other technical manuals.