Planning & Zoning Director

Kind of Work Under the general direction of County Administration, plans, directs and controls the functions and services administered by the St.
Louis County Land Use Planning Department.
The Director develops and administers a comprehensive program of County planning, permitting and inspection activities to ensure the implementation of County policy, organizational effectiveness and fiscal accountability.
The Director is responsible for overseeing the administration and implementation of effective Planning, land use, and onsite wastewater services including working with the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and serving as a liaison between the County and other municipalities, government agencies and private businesses.
The Director plans and oversees strategic and enterprise initiatives that streamline business operations including web services and innovative projects that strengthen internal and external partnerships.
The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2023.
The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $50.
43 - $69.
10 per hour.
Please note: The incumbent of this position will be based out of Virginia, MN and must be able to work at locations throughout the County.
Distinguishing Features of Work STAFF RESPONSIBILITY: Responsible for supervising Department staff involved in land-use planning and zoning, onsite wastewater administration, research and evaluating, and records management.
The Director directly supervises division managers and professional staff involved in the functional planning areas.
The Director is responsible for determining the Department and staffing requirements while working within the approved budget.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: Responsible for managing a total annual operating department budget for the Department totaling approximately $2 million, annual state and federal grants of approximately $1 million, and other programs and contracts as approved by the County Board.
The Department budget is developed on an annual basis, and ongoing expenditures and fees for services are monitored to track budget performance.
The Director exercises judgment and discretion in managing the Department budgets under the direction of the County Administrator after approval by the County Board.
COMPLEXITY/CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION/BROADNESS OF SERVICES PROVIDED: In making managerial decisions, the Director shall be aware of state and federal laws and regulations, County policy and board directives and their impact on Department operations.
In addition, County policies, Civil Service Rules and applicable bargaining agreements provide the Director with a framework and basis for departmental management decisions.
The Department is organized into several specialized divisions in order for the Director to accomplish the responsibilities of the position.
Department staff work across divisions to achieve goals and objectives of the County.
The divisions include land-use which includes the administration of the Land Use Comprehensive Plan, land use and zoning ordinances and permitting; Onsite Wastewater which includes the administration of onsite wastewater ordinances, permitting, and septic lending.
Department employees support the functions of the County Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment.
Besides conducting field investigations or other research required to gather information, the Department also analyzes the impact of environmental, financial and legislative changes on County functions and develops alternate plans and official controls for projects or programs as needed, and maintains a collection of socioeconomic, environmental and regulatory data related to County functions for use by department and administrative staff.
The programs administered by the Department have a direct impact on the work of other County employees, and the public services provided to County citizens and visitors.
CONTACTS/ELECTORATE: The Director is responsible for contacts with County administrative and management staff, regulatory agencies, as well as public and private agencies requiring negotiation and problem solving on critical and controversial issues related to the Department’s programs and contacts.
The Director is responsible for ensuring that all Department programs and contracts are administered in the most efficient manner possible.
Selection Process MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail): Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND seven (7) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a planning and/or researching government or government-related services program; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND five (5) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a government or government-related services program.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE: December 2023 - Applicant screening will begin January 2024 - Finalist Interviews February 2024 - Begin Employment QUESTIONS: For more information about the position & organization, please contact Jim Gottschald, Director of Human Resources and Administration at (218) 725-5066.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact Christina Hansen, HR Advisor, at 218-725-5058 or hansenc@stlouiscountymn.
gov.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.
stlouiscountymn.
gov/jobdescriptions.
VETERANS PREFERENCE: If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you: Veteran: DD214 noting character of service.
Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate.
(Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.
) Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.
Please refer to Minnesota Statue 197.
455 for additional requirements.
Click Here.
PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS: Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.
DRUG TESTING: Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St.
Louis County are subject to a background investigation.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION: All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.
NON-DISCRIMINATION: St.
Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.