Director of Land Conservation, Planning, and Development

Rock County, WI; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rock County, Wisconsin, seeks a Director to lead the County Planning & Development and Land Conservation Departments. You will direct development of long-range plans, coordinate zoning and housing programs, and supervise staff while ensuring regulatory compliance and effective use of budgets.

The role emphasizes collaboration with towns, counties, and state agencies to advance economic development, conservation, and community revitalization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Soil & Water Conservation, Community Planning, or Public Administration.
• Master’s degree preferred in Planning, Public Administration, or MBA.
• Eight+ years in planning, economic development or natural resource management with soil and water conservation.
• Two to three years of supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal automobile.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of the County Land and Water Resource Management Plan.
• Coordinate planning and development programs and zoning administration.
• Collaborate with communities and agencies to create jobs and economic growth.
• Administer housing and community development programs to improve housing resources.
• Provide oversight of the County Surveyor and department budgets.

Skills

Soil & Water Conservation

Surveying/Engineering principles

Zoning/Land use knowledge

Program administration

Code enforcement

Economic development

Community development

Management skills

Supervisory experience

Statutes interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Soil & Water Conservation, Community Planning or Public Administration related field

Master's Degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field preferred

Job description

Coordinates and directs the activities of the County Planning & Development and Land Conservation Departments. Directs the preparation and implementation of a Comprehensive County Development Master Plan and Land and Water Resource Management Plan. The Plans are the basis for activities in each Department via program administration, code enforcement, economic development, community development, research, analysis and development of County programs. Position generally has over-sight of the administration of multiple federal, state and local land use regulations and programs. Manages the Land Conservation and Planning offices, supervises employees, develops and implements the annual budgets, and develops and implements new programs and initiatives as directed by the County Board.

75% Administers State, Federal and Local Land Conservation regulations, programs and other assigned duties:

• Coordinates the implementation of the County Land and Water Resource Management Plan through various programs and ordinances as described in the Land Conservation Department Charter including, but not limited to: conservation practice cost-share contracts, construction site, storm water management, illicit discharge and animal waste storage ordinances, the Farmland Preservation Program, the Clean Sweep program, the Groundwater Nitrate Pilot Project, the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) program and water quality trading and adaptive management agreements.
• Develops working agreements with USDA NRCS to provide implementation of USDA program priorities within the County.
• Provides technical assistance to County/Towns/Cities and landowners for the proper implementation of required best management practices.
• Management and over-sight of operations at the County Farm, including the leased cropland, research plots and community gardens

Administers Planning and Development programs for the County

• Supervises the development and implementation of each element of the County's Comprehensive Plan as described in the Department Charter including, but not limited to: strategic and comprehensive planning, land division review and enforcement, shoreland zoning, floodplain zoning, access control and airport zoning overlay ordinances.
• Coordinates with affected communities and/or agencies in such development and implementation, including through formal memorandum of agreements for zoning administrative services.
• Collaborates with other entities to facilitate Economic Development Programs with the goal to create the opportunity for existing businesses to expand and new businesses to locate and create new jobs in Rock County.
• Directs the preparation, administration and implementation of Housing and Community Development Programs that improve housing resources in the County.
• Over-sight responsibilities of the County Surveyor

General Management in each Department

• Coordinates informational/educational programs.
• Attends various workshops, trainings hearings, state and federal meeting which includes program changes and new rule changes.
• Acts as technical advisor to the Board of Adjustment, Housing Authority, Land Conservation Committee and Planning Development Committee and various ad hoc Committees.
• Appears before the Board of Supervisors, Commissions, other County committees, public agencies and civic organizations to present and discuss department programs and initiatives
• Provides assistance to County Board, County Administrator and other departments as requested

10% Responsible for overall operation of the office and budgetary and financial management

• Develops, implements, and monitors the department budget.
• Develops grant applications for any current or new programs.
• Accounts for all expenditures from grants received from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, HUD and other state and federal agencies.
• Develops annual reports as required by state statutes and corresponding state agencies.

10% Supervise staff

• Supervises staff of the department and recruits, selects, trains, evaluates, promotes and disciplines employees.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, directs and reviews the activities of professional, technical and clerical staff engaged in the compilation, analysis and interpretation of data in preparation of plans and County Ordinance revisions.

5% Performs other duties as assigned

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of soil and water conservation and how it relates to regional agriculture practices and water quality.
• Knowledge of surveying and engineering principles as they relate to conservation practices.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations, county ordinances, state administrative codes, Wisconsin manuals as they relate to land conservation programs and related documents.
• Knowledge of Federal Farm Programs as they relate to conservation compliance
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles, practices, purposes, scope and techniques of various phases of city/county planning, statistical, research methods and sources of data relating to city/county and urban growth.
• Knowledge of land uses, zoning, land divisions, and federal, state and local laws as they relate to county planning.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, purposes and techniques of the various phases of program administration, code administration/enforcement, economic development, community development, and program research, analysis and development.
• Knowledge of management techniques and practices, program management and personnel management.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of other.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records and prepare clear and detailed reports.
• Ability to interpret state statutes and administrative codes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental agencies and officials, county administration, employees and subordinates.
• Ability design analyze, write and edit research studies and surveys.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the news media, general public, government officials, and professionals/technical persons and employees.
• Ability to carry out policies established by the Land Conservation Committee, Planning and Development- Bachelor's Degree in Soil & Water Conservation, Community Planning or Public Administration related field.
• Master's Degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field is preferred.
• Considerable experience constituting at least eight years in the field of planning, economic development natural resource management, soil and water conservation.
• Two (2) to three (3) years supervisory experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Personal automobile.

Physical elements:

• Ability to stand, sit, and walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently or greater than negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Ability to carry equipment.

Equipment use:

• Ability to use a computer and computer keyboard.
• Familiar with the use of other types of office equipment such as printer, copy machine, etc.

Working conditions:

• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions (hot, cold, wet).
• Ability to transverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.