Zoning Specialist

If you're ready to put your expertise to work in a meaningful, community-focused setting, this is your opportunity. Dunn County is seeking a skilled and motivated professional to join our team as a Zoning Specialist.

The Zoning Specialist performs technical assistance and administrative support work for planning and land use activities. This position works under the general direction of the Planner/Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Specialist works with the public, local officials, stakeholders, and department staff to implement land use ordinances and plans.

The anticipated starting wage is between $24.36/hr and $25.72/hr.

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this Zoning Specialist position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the Zoning Specialist position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Answers phones and addresses questions from colleagues, plumbers, realtors, contractors, surveyors, engineers and landowners.  
• Assists with the intake, review, and issuance of zoning, land use and sanitary permit applications.  Includes collecting, receipting and depositing of permit fees.  
• Conducts site visits to gather data, verify existing conditions, and assess compliance with approved plans.
• Researches property records, land information materials, zoning maps, and GIS datasets to support analysis and decision-making.
• Monitors permitted projects for ongoing compliance with zoning regulations, including shoreland mitigation, erosion control measures, and regulated land uses as applicable.
• Maintains accurate records related to permit applications, inspections including documenting zoning compliance and enforcement activities.  
• Maintains open communication with landowners, contractors, engineers, surveyors, and government agencies throughout the land use review process.
• Assists in the preparation, proofreading and editing of a Planning and Land Use Division reports, notices, grants, proposals, forms, newsletters, brochures, etc.
• Updates GIS layers and permit tracking systems.
• Assists with data collection, formatting, and distribution of planning documents.
• Coordinates with the division staff to provide daily office coverage.  
• Assists in coordinating special events and attends countywide meetings as needed.  
• Participates in staff training and professional development to maintain and enhance knowledge of zoning and land use practices.
• Attends staff meetings and conferences.
• Assists with Surveying Division duties as assigned. 
• Performs other duties of a comparable level, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Land Use Planning, Environmental Science, Geography, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in land use planning, zoning administration, GIS, or a related field.
• Experience in customer service or public interactions is highly desirable.

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Ability to obtain relevant certifications as necessary, such as Wisconsin DSPS, Soil Erosion Inspector, Soil Tester, and/or Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) Inspector.
  • The position does not currently require these certifications; however, the department must maintain at least two employees with these credentials. The Planner/Zoning Administrator will designate an employee to obtain the certifications should operational needs require. If designated, the employee will be provided with reasonable time and support to attain the certification.
• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Knowledge of Dunn County’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance including relevant state regulations, statutes and rules pertaining to sanitation, shoreland, floodplain and wetlands.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of land use planning, county and town rules and regulations, and state administrative code and statutes.  
• Knowledge of County land use planning resources; Comprehensive land use plan, Farmland preservation plan, Land and water resource management plan, Bicycle and pedestrian plan, etc. 
• Skill in operating GIS applications and spatial data management.  
• Ability to interpret zoning ordinances and codes to a diverse range of land use scenarios.
• Ability to read and comprehend legal descriptions, blueprints, plot plans, construction drawings, certified survey maps, maps of survey, plats, relative to position objectives.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, including public speaking and presenting.
• Ability to use office software and data management tools, including Microsoft Office, GPS, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, TEAMS, and other video conferencing platforms. 
• Ability to conduct research and analyze technical materials, including soil maps, aerial imagery, engineering drawings, and design documents. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, landowners, contractors, engineers, public agencies and community stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments.
• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines. 
• Ability to work the designated hours of the position, including occasional evenings or weekends, as necessary.
• Ability to participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance knowledge and skills. 

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and the public in written and verbal form. 
• Ability to read, interpret, and communicate ordinances, codes, policies and procedures.
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

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 will 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 or Human Resources.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require regular, but not continuous, exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds and/or infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Continuous speaking, hearing and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting; and work occasionally requires standing, walking 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 is inside and outside of an office setting.
• Work is required to be frequently outdoors with some exposure to weather conditions.
• Duties may require participation in adverse verbal discussions or situations with people we serve.
• Work frequently requires travel throughout Dunn County to inspection sites.