Planner - Planning & Zoning

Under the general direction of the Assistant Zoning Administrator and the Solid Waste Administrator. Serve the citizens of the County by accurately and consistently administering and enforcing those ordinances related to land use and solid waste and providing interpretation to the public and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in the enforcement of the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Solid Waste Management Ordinance, conduct compliance inspections to obtain compliance.

Review and coordinate land use applications for shoreland alteration projects, variances, conditional/interim use permits. This includes analyzing applications for compliance with ordinance requirements, conducting site inspections, and writing review letters to applicants.

Attend meetings with the County Board, Planning Advisory Commission, Board of Adjustment and/or the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Support these boards by preparing and presenting staff reports, board packets and recommendations at these meetings.

Represent the department's interests on external technical advisory committees, such as township (local), legislative (professional), and environmental (state, local).

Prepare reports related to studies and research, develop presentations and provide technical and professional advice to the Planning Commission, County Board, and other local groups, such as townships and community advisory groups.

Prepare grant applications and administer grants for land use, solid waste, or environmental studies.

Attend training and education to maintain professional competence and required licenses/certifications.

Develop and maintain respectful and cooperative working relationships.

Regular and reliable attendance according to the department’s work schedule.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Extensive knowledge of relevant Local, State and Federal Codes, Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Sherburne County Ordinances.

Thorough understanding of related industry, organization and departmental policies, procedures and best practices.

Knowledge of legal aspects of code administration.

Knowledge of current theories, principles, and trends related to land use planning and solid waste.

Ability to read, understand and interpret grading and drainage plans, topographic maps, plats, surveys, architectural and engineering plans, and soil borings.

Ability to perform mathematical computations.

Knowledge of shoreland regulations, including lot sizes, setbacks, impervious surface, grading and filling and vegetation management.

Ability to present technical information to non-technical audiences and to speak effectively to groups, officials, professionals, and the general public.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work independently, multi-task and prioritize tasks.

Ability to manage conflict and hostile communication situations.

Ability to use software including Microsoft Office, Outlook, ArcGIS Pro and other specialized software.

Ability to handle a variety of assignments and problems independently, except those requiring policy or procedural changes.

Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy.

Ability to handle varied and complex situations requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking.

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assist in the proper management of the County’s solid waste in accordance with set policies and procedures.
• Enforce violations of Sherburne County’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance and obtain voluntary compliance through a series of inspections. Prepare inspection reports and track using the Department’s permitting program. Prepare cases on non-compliance to the County Attorney’s Office.
• Perform unscheduled inspections and assist in permitting land disposal facilities, processing facilities, salvage yards, and composting facilities. Maintain, through continuing education courses, a Type II Landfill Inspector License through the State of Minnesota.
• Provide the public with information pertaining to proper solid waste disposal and recycling, and any other environmental concerns or questions. Author newsletters and newspaper articles.
• Communicate with townships, cities, businesses, schools, institutional facilities, community groups, and public on various outreach programs, waste education, and other waste abatement programs.
• License and regulate solid waste haulers.
• Assist in the administration of Land Application of Septage and Solid Waste
• Provide enforcement of non-compliant onsite sewage treatment systems (septic systems) and Certificate of Real-estate Values (CRV’s).
• Research and analyze current solid waste topics and make recommendations.
• Prepare reports related to studies and research, develop presentations and provide technical and professional advice to the Board of Adjustment and Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
• Prepare grant applications and administer grants for solid waste.
• Prepare Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW) for solid waste projects.

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Oversee administration of the County’s Shoreland Ordinance by processing applications, promoting education and outreach and enforcement of violations.

Review all building permits for compliance with Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance and contact the applicant if there are issues of non-compliance or when a variance is needed.

Respond to variance questions, request and review variance applications for completeness. Prepare staff comments and present to the County Board of Adjustment all variance requests.

Assist in the administration of the Sherburne County Stormwater Program in compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regulations.

Assists County Floodplain Manager in administering the FEMA Floodplain program for the County.

Assist in the administration of permits for excavation activities that disturb more than one acre of land to ensure compliance with County Ordinances and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency General National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for Construction Activities.

Assist in the administration of the permit process for new mining Interim Use Permits. Prepare and present to the County Planning Commission all new Interim Use Permits requests for mining.

Assist in monitoring and completing annually inspect gravel mines for compliance with conditions of the permit. Document inspections with photos and GPS equipment to monitor boundaries of mining sites, track changes and ensure compliance with the permit.

Review and coordinate land use applications for kennel licenses as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Water Resource Management, Community Development, Urban Studies, Planning or related field;AND

Two years’ work experience in the environmental related field, solid waste, planning within a mixed urban/rural community, or similar work experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems certification, or ability to receive it within two years of hire.

Valid Minnesota Driver’s License is required.

Ability to attend evening meetings is required.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Must be able to exert physical effort for light work. May involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 10 pounds).

Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical (employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.
  • County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans
• Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy
• Optional Benefits:
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hospital Care Insurance
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Public Employees Retirement (PERA):