Planning & Zoning Technician (Feedlot Officer)

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under general direction of the Planning & Zoning Administrator, the Planning & Zoning Technician will be responsible to inspect, investigate, and enforce zoning codes and ordinances, and State of Minnesota agricultural regulations; assist in planning, coordination and implementation of the Comprehensive Local Water Plan; and perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1.    Waseca County Feedlot Officer

• Administers the feedlot ordinance and regulations which includes; reviewing and issuing permits, monitoring compliance, developing compliance plans, maintaining records, educating residents, evaluating policies and procedures and assisting with researching and coordinating he implementation of new ordinances or provisions as necessary.
• Conducts ongoing site inspections of all permits to ensure compliance with ordinances and regulations as well as investigates, responds to and maintains records of all actions taken with permits.
• Develops, presents and promotes educational materials and information to permit holders and the public.
• Researches, analyzes and prepares planning reports working with multiple agencies to compile and summarize information.
• Assists in administering ordinances and compiles information into concise summary.
• Serve as the main contact for the feedlot program with the MPCA, other agencies, county staff and Waseca County residents.
  
• Responsible for enforcing applicable MPCA regulations and implementing new procedures and policies as necessary.  Including attending meetings and training sessions.
  
• Manage and maintain the County feedlot database in compliance with State requirements.
  
• Providing guidance to Waseca County residents in the construction permit application process.
  
• Conducts Feedlot Site Inspection Team meetings.  Assists with Conditional Use Permits related to feedlots.
  
• Assists in maintaining a permit database of all required permit applications and forwarding to the MPCA.

• Implement control programs for fertilizer, feed pesticides, plant diseases and insect pests as regulated by Minnesota Statutes and develops plan, policies and practices in order to carry out administration of varied regulations applicable to agriculture.
  
• Investigate complaints, perform inspections and follow up inspections to ensure compliance on the use of pesticides and fertilizers, seed samples, feed samples, spread of noxious weeds, and public nuisances.
  
• Administer and monitor testing of applicants for commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicator’s licenses, collect fees, and process accordingly for receipt by the Department of Agriculture.
  
• Publish a general weed notice of the legal duty to control noxious weeds in one or more legal newspapers of general circulation throughout Waseca County.
  
• Promote annual township weed inspection and assist local officials for enforcement of noxious weed law.
• Participate in other agricultural programs as requested by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture or the Waseca County Board of Commissioners.

3.    Planning & Zoning Department

• Assist with data research projects concerning local land use trends, water resource issues and assist in development of resource management plans.
• Respond to inquiries about issues under the department’s jurisdiction.
• Inspect developments, properties, or activities under department’s jurisdiction for compliance with state and local regulations.
• Initiate voluntary compliance measures with violators; perform follow-up inspections; refer continued violations to appropriate enforcement entity.
• Investigate nuisance complaints and formulates corrective action.
• Prepare maps showing designated zoning, water plan information, land uses and soil classifications.
• Maintain maps and gather data from other sources for department use.
• Work cooperatively with the Planning and Zoning Administrator to seek available grant funding for associated projects.
• Represent the Planning and Zoning Office and/or administrator before various boards or committees as circumstances deem necessary.
• Maintain correspondence, memorandums and reports, submit various documents to state agencies and the County Board, maintain a variety of files and statistical data and provides information for annual reports, and perform general record-keeping tasks.
• Review and remain current on potential legislation affecting department’s jurisdiction.
• Attend seminars and training sessions as required to ensure program participation, appropriate methodology, certification, or licensure requirements.
• Assist with daily office procedures and performs other related functions as required.

4.    Wetland Conservation Act

• Assist with wetland applications and wetland restoration orders.
  
• Assist with regarding wetland issues and investigations in all types of weather and terrain.
  
• Perform inspections regarding nuisance complaints involving wetland issues.
  

DEMONSTRATED REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of the approved methods and equipment used in the various fields of farming and feedlots
  
• Considerable knowledge of the nature and scope of animal production
  
• Knowledge of the controlling laws, rules and regulations
  
• Knowledge of the principles and practices as related to the recognition, elimination and control of environmental health hazards
  
• Skill in the utilization of environmental sampling equipment
  
• Skill in basic surveying, ArcGIS use and development and maintenance of computer databases
  
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
  
• Ability to understand verbal and written instructions
  
• Ability to explain regulatory provisions with firmness, tact and courtesy
  
• Ability to conduct effective inspections with impartiality and without assuming inappropriate emotions or personal responsibility
  
• Ability to analyze potential environmental health hazards
  
• Ability to write reports and develop recommendations
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public
  
• Ability to observe and note environmental conditions apt to affect samples and public health
  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force
• Requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions
• Occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting (especially when inspecting new feedlot manure pits)
• Requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision
• 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 and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
• Requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data
• Requires use of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
• Frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, moving objects, heat, cold, wetness, humidity, and marked changes in temperature or humidity, odor, dust, mosquitoes, ticks and associated infectious diseases.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic.