The position of Director of Environmental Services is responsible for planning, directing, executing, analyzing and advising of all the environmental service functions. The Director is appointed to administer the Countys comprehensive land use plan and environmental goals and objectives by establishing, implementing, and enforcing adopted ordinances and policies. The position administers and supervises the functions the Water Management, develops, recommends, implements, coordinates and enforces statutes, rules, and regulations regarding environmental planning and programming for Redwood County This position is also responsible for the administration and development of the county park system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION

PLANNING AND ZONING:

• Serves as County Zoning Administrator. Develops and administers county zoning programs, reviews and recommends revisions and enforces: County Zoning ordinances, Land Use ordinances, subdivision ordinances, Redwood Falls Municipal Airport ordinances, Shoreland and Floodplain ordinances based on the goals and policies of the County comprehensive plan.
• Supervises staff support to the Planning Commission. Prepares meeting agendas with appropriate documentation and recommendations, participates in deliberations when appropriate, implements Commission decisions and supervises the preparation of minutes and maintenance of records.
• Supervises staff support to the Board of Adjustments. Prepares meeting agendas, documentation for consideration and recommendations. Participates in deliberations when appropriate and implements Board of Adjustments decisions and supervises the preparation of the minutes and maintenance of records.
• Serves as principal technical advisor to the County Board of Commissioners on matters pertaining to planning, zoning, and environmental issues. Prepares material and forwards all conditional use applications for the County Board and participates in discussions when appropriate.
• Reviews and approves/issues permits for various land uses and zoning requests. Makes field inspections to insure compliance with the ordinances and undertakes procedures for enforcement against persons in violation of the ordinances.
• Investigates complaints alleging violations of federal, state or county laws or ordinances in regard to environmental issues.
• Represents Redwood County and participates in joint city/county county/township planning efforts and provides liaison to state and regional planning and environmental agencies to achieve county objectives. Also supervises all required reporting to the agencies.
• Develops and administers grant and aid programs. Identifies potential funding sources, research programs requirements, recommends County involvement, prepares and follows up on grant/aid applications and administers funds according to their requirements.
• Develops and administers a County comprehensive planning program and develops and maintains long-range plans. Also develops specific short-term projects and goals within the guidelines of the comprehensive plan.
• Renders technical advice to township, city and county officials regarding community development, design standards, land use and related aspects of physical, social and environmental planning.
• Establishes departmental policies and planning techniques in compliance with accepted planning standards, while consulting with private builders, developers, and property owners.

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

• Serves as the Administrator of the Redwood County Soil and Water Conservation District. Develops and oversees all staff and programming within the office.
• Manage and administer state and local laws
• Manage financial affairs of SWCD
  • Develops SWCD'S, annual and long-range budgets
  • Develop and submit Biennial Budget Request
  • Apply for Grants that help meet the District goals
• Handle all state & federal legislative issues
  • Contact Legislators on behalf of board
  • Assist Board with MASWCD resolution development
  • Keep the board informed of legislative developments that affect the district
  • Prepare legislative handouts for legislative briefing at the capital
• Represent SWCD on committees, boards, task forces and other functions requesting SWCD expertise.
  • Coordinate SWCD involvement with federal, state and local agencies and programs: Such as but not limited to: MASWCD, BWSR, DNR, RCRCA, Area II etc.
  • Meet with the County Commissioners as scheduled or needed
  • Serve on various boards and committees on behalf of the Redwood SWCD
  • Work with other agencies to implement the SWCD's annual and comprehensive plans
• Working knowledge of all federal and state programs by keeping abreast of all laws affecting conservation activities within the district
  • Maintains compliance with all legislation dealing with SWCD. including Chapter l 03C, pertinent guidelines, and Memorandums of Understanding with other agencies
  • Oversees the implementation of all other SWCD programs that the district may be involved with.

ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Represents the county on community development matters rendering technical advice to city, township and county officials regarding community development, design standards, comprehensive planning, and land use and environmental planning.
• Directs the preparation of grant applications, administers grant programs and disbursements and ensures compliance with grant regulatory requirements.
• Negotiates, drafts and administers authorized contracts, compliance agreements, cooperative agreements and transactions with other agencies and units of government, private businesses and project consultants
• Serves as principal technical advisor to the County Board and various governing and advisory boards and commissions on the development of policy pertaining to comprehensive planning, environmental and land use laws, rules and ordinance development. Monitors proposed state and federal planning legislation and conducts analysis of the impact on County programs, operations and resources.
• Works closely with attorneys in litigation that has been brought against the County regarding planning and zoning, the environment and public nuisances. Provides technical support and expert testimony in legal actions concerning areas of responsibility.

COUNTY PARK SYSTEM

• Provides administrative support to Park and Trail Committee. Directs and prepares meeting agendas with appropriate back-up material and supervises the preparation of minutes, recording documents and maintenance of records.
• Administers the future planning, development and operation of county park including building and grounds project design, County trail design, maintenance and improvement of existing facilities, marketing and market analysis and development of a park fee schedule. Coordinates park planning projects including facilitating public participation, analysis of park needs, development of plans and specifications and identification of funding sources.
• Supervises and directs the Park Supervisor throughout the year and temporary Park Assistants that help only during the summer months.

WATER PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

• Coordinates the County Water Management Program. Administers comprehensive water protection and management of Redwood County's surface and groundwater resources.
• Develops, recommends, implements, revises, and administers the Redwood County Comprehensive Local Water Plan. Coordinates water protection and management needs and objectives and prepares recommendations, budgets, and expenditure reports for the Water Management Task Force and the County Board of Commissioners. Serves as Water Management Task Force facilitator (i.e. chairperson, secretary).
• Works with community groups, business representatives, consultants, schools, and state and federal agencies to coordinate and promote the Water Management program. Serves as liason to watershed organizations and agencies. Coordinates Water Management related programs and activities with the Director of Public Health for Southwest Health and Human Services and other County departments and public officials.
• Researches and develops educational and promotional materials (i.e., newsletters, displays, brochures) relating to water protection and management. Promotes effective community and media relations by organizing and conducting meetings, presentations, public service announcements and providing information to the newspapers.
• Develops and maintains plans to prevent or limit the spread of nonnative, aquatic species at water access points within the County pursuant to MN Statute 477A.19
• Prepares and implements an annual operating budget for the Water Management program. Supervises the Natural Resource Block Grant and administers allocations. Prepares grant applications and required state reports, including eLINK.
• Supervises contracted technical services of water plan. Supervises staff, including interviewing and recommending hiring, educating, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, rewarding and disciplining, adjusting grievances, training and recommending dismissal.
• Provides environmental review of projects and activities related to the protection and management of water resources and other environmental matters.
• Assists in the investigation of complaints alleging the violation of federal, state or county laws/ordinances in regard to environmental issues pertaining to the protection and management of surface and groundwater resources.
• Oversees the administering of low interest loan programs: MN Pollution Control Clean Water Partnership ISTS Loans.
• Maintains MPCA Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (ISTS) certification. Assists with inspections of ISTS installation, on an as needed basis.

DRAINAGE INSPECTOR

• Directly supervises ditch/agricultural inspector position. Attends Judicial Ditch (county to county) meetings, and oversees and directs procedures. Approves bills, reviews letters, attends levy settings. Fills in for the Ditch/Agricultural Inspector in their absence.
• Oversee the Administration of petitions received under 103E
• Maintain County drainage records as required by 103E

AGRICULTRUAL INSPECTOR

• Directly supervises Agricultural/Ditch Inspector. Oversees the weed, feed fertilizer and seed inspections, assists in the administration, enforcement, and inspection of various programs. Promotes, organizes and collects both waste pesticides and all plastic pesticide containers in their program. Fills in for the Agricultural Inspector in their absence.

REDWOOD COUNTY GIS

• Directly supervises the Redwood County GIS Specialists
• Creates addresses for new rural residences by measuring and entering information into database.
• Collaborates with Redwood County Sheriffs Department and an Independent Emergency Services (EMS) on keeping system current.
• Administers and oversees the addresses for the E-911 uniform rural addressing system for rural residents of the county.

ADMINISTRATION/SUPERVISORY

• Prepares, implements and oversees annual budgets for planning and zoning, GIS, Water Protection Management, County Park, Drainage Department, and SWCD
• Supervises office and facility staff, including interviewing and recommending hiring, education, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, rewarding, disciplining, and training.
• Directly supervises full and part time employees. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with county policy. Coordinates the merger of all land use, drainage, and environmental functions within county into a single department.
• Works with all employees on staff and professional development opportunities on a continual basis.
• Must also develop and maintain long-range plans and goals, and implement strategies to accomplish their short-term projects and goals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel so classified.

EDUCATION

A Bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Studies, Environmental Science or related field is required

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

At least five years of recent progressive experience in land use planning, ordinance enforcement and environmental services, including supervisory experience, that provides the following skills and abilities:

• Preferred experience shall include working with organizational development and analysis, land use and zoning administration, ordinance development, budgeting, writing and administering grants, the State legislative and rule-making process, and land use compliance and enforcement.
• Considerable working knowledge of the environmental services function within County government to include program planning, administration and enforcement.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to environmental services functions.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state funding programs and methods of obtaining project approvals.
• Considerable knowledge of programs, practices and procedures relating to household sewage treatment systems, feedlots and other environmental health issues.
• Considerable knowledge of organization and operation of County government and working knowledge of applicable Minnesota Statutes.
• Considerable knowledge of the state legislative process and the ability to advocate on behalf of the County and the SWCD
• Knowledge of conservation practices and the ability to understand the science of how they work
• Knowledge of environmental quality parameters and how they affect the environment, including water and soil.
• Ability to explain complicated or complex processes to the general public
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to operate general office equipment including a computer.
• Basic knowledge of public administration, personnel administration, management techniques and modern organizational practices.
• The ability to develop and implement department goals and objectives.
• The ability to plan, coordinate, direct and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have good public relations skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Must possess a valid Minnesota drivers license.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience could provide necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job.