Land Services Director

This position is responsible for the overall administrative oversight, coordinating and management of the Land Services Department for the County, which consists of three divisions: Land Information, Soil & Water Conservation and Zoning Administration. Providing leadership over all department personnel involving work assignments, operations, financial management and related work under the general direction of the County Administrator.

Departmental Oversight: Direct the work of the Land Services Department and all assigned staff. Interviews, selects, and trains staff. Assigns tasks, review work, and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.Technical Guidance: Provides leadership to staff on complex work, interprets the application of policy and procedure, and audits work regularly to ensure adherence to regulations.Board & Committee Support: Manages staff services provided to the County Board, Zoning Committee, Board of Adjustment, and Extension/LCC Committee. Operations Strategy: Develops and implements short- and long-term work plans, goals and work standards. Ensures County operations conform to legislative requirements.Data & Performance: Compiles and analyzes statistics to monitor program performance, resource availability, and staffing needs.Financial Management: Develops, recommends, and monitors the annual departmental budget. Forecast funding needs for staff and equipment, materials and supplies. Provides necessary reports for County, State and Federal agencies. Manages land-services-related grant applications and administration.Zoning Administration: Acts as the Zoning Administrator. Reviews and adjudicates land-use permits, rezoning, special exceptions and variance requests.Code Enforcement: Manages the administration and enforcement of County land-use regulations. Investigates violations, reviews complaints, and consults with Corporation Counsel on legal actions.Policy Development: Oversees the research, analysis, and drafting of new or revised language for County ordinances and long-rang comprehensive land-use plans.Public Adjudication: Oversees the scheduling of public hearings and delivers formal presentations and recommendations to governing bodies.Technical Reviews: Reviews soil evaluation reports and land division requests. Issues sanitary permits and inspects the installation of Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS).Special Projects: Oversees the development of agricultural conservation projects and ensures enforcement of nonmetallic mining reclamation plans.Communicates and coordinates department operations with clients and customers.Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, natural resources, public administration, or related field with eight (8) years’ experience in zoning, code enforcement, or other related land use experience.
• Three years previous supervisory experience.
• Must be certified soil tester and POWTS certified.

• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of State, Federal, and County laws regarding land use, zoning, soil/water quality, water hydrology, biological ecosystems and plumbing codes and materials. (POWTS) Ability to analyze and interpret Zoning ordinances, building codes and other local ordinances.
• Strategic Planning: Skill in long-range planning, project management, and analyzing complex administrative issues to evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions. Strength in researching and understanding complex written materials and apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in line-item budgeting, fiscal management, project management, financial principles and practices and grant administration. Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position, prepare and maintain accurate and concise reports.
• Communication & Diplomacy: Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to the media, professional clients, and the public. Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations and public hearings with tact and self-control. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English, both written and verbal form. Skill in analyzing complex administrative information, strong problem solving and effective conflict resolution abilities.
• Administrative Skills: Mastery of office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.) and the ability to maintain accurate, confidential records under Open Records law provisions.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Open Records laws and other applicable state and federal statutes and regulations. Must maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Operational Agility: Ability to prioritize a high volume of work, meet stringent deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities independently.

• Adaptability: Ability to adapt, take control of situations and dictate subordinate activities. Must be organized and possess strong time management while adapting to high volume of work product and constant changes. Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Barron County values the health and wellbeing of our employees and offers a very competitive benefit package prioritizing work-life balance and along with stable employment and supportive work environment!
* Wisconsin Retirement System (6.9% Employer match; 6.9% Employee pre-tax contribution - Higher rates for Protective/Law Enforcement)
* Paid leaves upon hire (104 hrs vacation; 11 paid holidays; 8 hrs of sick leave per mo)
* Health insurance with option to enroll in a Health Savings Account ($50/mo-single plan/ $100/mo-family plan). Effective 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.Non-Embedded in-network Deductible of $2,000/Single & $4,000/Family. Deductible must be met before insurance applies. Out-of-pocket max: $3,500S-$7,000F. Prescription drug savings program offering zero costs for eligible prescription drugs. Optionto sell up to 96 hrs Sick Leave and/or Vacation into HSA during open enrollment.
* Dental insurance
* Life insurance (County pays $5/mo towards Basic plan)
* If working night shift - receive an additional $0.75 per hour
* Flexible spending account
* Deferred Compensation Programs
* Employee Achievement Program
* Paid Parental leave
* Potential for telework opportunities (varies by department/position)
* Whole Life Insurance plan
* Eligibility for Student Loan Repayment program throughPublic Service Loan Forgiveness(PSLF)
* Recognition Program
* Annual Training Day & Lunch
* Annual Employee Milestone Recognition Lunch
* On-site Blood Drives (paid 1 hour to donate blood)
* 15% Verizon Wireless cell-phone discount
* On-site food truck vendors during summer months
* Ed-Vest College Savings plan
* Supportive work environment and culture
* Opportunities for growth and advancement
* Meaningful and impactful work for the betterment of our community

Closing Date/Time: 5/10/2026 4:00 PM Central

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• Barron County

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