Compliance Technician-Land & Resource Management

This role supports Douglas County Departments and partner agencies with compliance and public education efforts related to the Zoning, Parks and Trails, and Lodging Ordinances. This position investigates potential violations, conducts site inspections, and works with property owners, contractors, and businesses to achieve compliance with applicable regulations governing land use, structures, and environmental standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of those specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Respond to, investigate, and track complaints and potential violations related to zoning, solid waste, park usage, and private vacation rental lodging.
• Conduct field inspections of properties and document findings following standard procedures that include interviewing occupants, owners and/or contractors, and the general public.
• Collect evidence that includes times, dates, measurements, descriptions, involved parties, photographs, and other details related to potential ordinance, permit, or license infractions.
• Draft written reports on potential violations including photo-documentation, maps, site drawings, descriptions, identification of parties involved, and citations of relevant ordinances, rules, and/or statutes. Submit reports in a timely manner to the appropriate department staff, including county attorney's office.
• Conduct reviews of issued conditional use (CU) permits, private vacation rental properties and web-based advertising/reservation platforms, for compliance with zoning ordinance standards as well as conditions applied to CU permit approvals.
• Draft correspondence to reponsible parties seeking correction of violations, and/or issue notices of violation, correction or stop-work orders where appropriate.
• Conduct follow-up inspections on violations with set compliance timelines, stipulation agreements, and court orders to ensure correction of infractions and compliance with ordinances.
• Assist with preparation of cases for planning commission, board of adjustment, or legal proceedings.
• Provide testimony in administrative or court hearings as necessary.
• Educate residents, contractors, local businesses, and guests regarding zoning and lodging regulations, and license and permit conditions or requirements.
• Assist LRM technical staff in other capacities
• Comply with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.
• Demonstrate reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Access to Non-Public Data.

In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it's truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don't need to see it don't have access, stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota's Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

Do you have experience in Zoning research?, Do you have a High school diploma or GED?, High School Diploma/GED and a minimum of 3 years of related work experience in law enforcement, code/ordinance management/enforcement, city/county/state related to land/building codes and use.

OR

An Associate's degree in law enforcement, zoning administration, public administration, planning, construction inspection or management, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field.

Licenses and Other Requirements: Currently possess a valid Class D Minnesota State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain one upon start of employment., * Investigative methods, including gathering, verifying, and documenting information.

• Local zoning ordinances and land use regulations, and building/construction practices.
• Minnesota land use, shoreland, and environmental regulations.
• Inspection and enforcement procedures.

Skills in:

• Verbal communication, including interacting professionally with the public, property owners, contractors, and coworkers.

• Conflict resolution and maintaining professionalism in challenging situations.

• Report writing, correspondence, and documentation.

• Time management and independent fieldwork.

• Interpreting and applying codes and ordinances.

Ability to:

• Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage multiple tasks or inspection assignments.
• Ability to follow proper procedures for collecting information and evidence to determine compliance with codes and ordinances.
• Ability to operate a vehicle safely for field inspections.
• Read site plans, legal descriptions, and construction drawings.
• Conduct detailed field inspections in various conditions.
• Communicate regulatory requirements clearly to the public.
• Exercise sound judgment in enforcement situations.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree of coursework in law enforcement, zoning administration, public administration, planning, construction inspection or management, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field.
• Certified Zoning Administrator (CZA).
• Building Official or Inspector certifications.
• Experience in a Minnesota county or municipal setting.
• Familiarity with septic, shoreland, or environmental regulations.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES: See required minimum knowledge, skills, abilities, & qualities at hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Public building. A combination of office setting and field work. Duties are split between field work (50%) and office work (50%) depending on office workload and priorities. Overnight travel is not required. Locations will include active construction sites with potential exposure to rough, muddy terrain, moving construction equipment, and other hazards, private property, and lake shore areas., General Office Equipment. Computer Software: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Teams, Adobe Acrobat, County GIS program, Fast Track Gov (county permitting database). Landshark (property records database), IFS (county tax property database). Digital camera. range-finding equipment.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan forgiveness
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Bereavement leave
• Life insurance, Workdays will vary at times, including some evenings and weekend hours. Occasional evening meetings (Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment).

See also the Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

Amount Lifted: Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days 11 to 80 lbs.: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days 81 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Amount Pushed or Pulled: Up to 20 lbs.: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days 21 to 30 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days 31 to 80 lbs.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days 81 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present Vision: Depth, Near & Far Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days Field of Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days color:inherit: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days, Works Alone: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days Works with & Around Others: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days Customer/Public Contact: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days Clients with Behavior Challenges: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Communications: Talking & Reading: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days Hearing: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Basic Body Positions: Sitting, Standing & Crouching: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days Walking/Moving About, Kneeling & Balancing: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days Climbing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days Crawling: Not Present

Motor Skills: Handling & Using Fingers: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days Grasping & Reaching: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days Feeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days Driving: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Exposures To: Mechanical, Burning Mat, Moving Equipment: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days Electrical & Pressurized Equipment & Explosive & Radiant Energy: Not Present Heights: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days; Fumes/Odors & Gases: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days Dirt/Dust: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Work Environment: Inside: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Outside: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days; Confined : Not Present Hot, Cold, Wet & Noise: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days Vibration: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days Infectious Diseases and/or Body Fluids: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days Shift: Not Present Extended Day: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days Exposure to outdoor elements, construction sites, and uneven terrain., All listed above are essential functions (except desirable qualifications) of the job. The starting salary for this position is $45,961.50 annually ($23.57/hr).

• Receive anniversary step increases for current earning potential of $58,656 annually ($30.08 /hr.) plus annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Benefits- We also offer no-cost/low-cost health insurance plan options. Douglas County contributes to a Health Savings Account and a (PERA pension plan. Become vested in as little as 3 years of employment for lifetime benefits upon retirement! Douglas County is also a qualified Employer for the Public Sector Loan Forgiveness Program.

Life Insurance- as a County employee, you will be covered by $40,000 of life insurance at no expense. Supplemental coverage is available for you, your spouse, and your dependents.

The official holidays for this Douglas County position are: *New Year's Day *Martin Luther King Jr Day *Presidents' Day *Memorial Day *Juneteenth *Fourth of July *Labor Day *Veterans' Day *Thanksgiving Day *Day after Thanksgiving (in place of Columbus Day) Christmas Eve Day *Christmas Day *Personal Floating Holiday.

Sick Leave/Earned Safe and Sick Time: An employee shall be credited with 1 day of sick leave for each month of service, accumulative to 90 days. The first 48 hours (or up to 80 hours if any eligible time was carried over) will be counted as ESST.

Vacations: Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule: Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule: 0-4 years; 10 working days 5-9 years; 15 working days 10-14 years; 20 working days 15-19 years; 25 working days 20 years or more; 30 working days

Supervision Received: Reports to the Land and Resources Management Director/Assistant Director Supervision Exercised: None Labor Group: Non-union FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Grade: 5 EEO Job Category: Technicians

Work Comp Code: This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change. New position: 6/2026.

Douglas County offers an exceptional benefits package to full-time employees including vacation, sick, funeral leave, and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package are health, dental, and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan) and supplemental insurance; deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (PERA).

Benefits may offered on a pro-rata basis or not offered for less than full-time employment.