Planner I chez Le Sueur County

Planner I

Environmental, Planning & Zoning

Division: Planning & Zoning                                                                                                                                                                                                                           FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Definition of Work

Performs intermediate technical work.  Assists in the administration of several land use programs and ordinances aimed at protecting the public’s health, safety, and general welfare. Review and issue zoning permits, conduct investigations to ensure compliance with regulations, assist in enforcement of land use ordinances, and review of land division proposals for compliance. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Assistant Environmental, Planning & Zoning Administrator.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The below listed statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Essential Functions

• Responds directly to intermediate and advanced-level inquiries from realtors, contractors, banks, appraisers, and the general public.
• Forwards high-level inquiries from realtors, contractors, banks, appraisers, and the general public.
• Reviews and Issues Zoning Permits. Meets with the public to review Zoning Permit Applications and Land Alteration Permits to determine if the proposal or plan complies with regulations. Informs the public or developers of all regulations and provides explanation if proposal or plan is denied. Assists with maintaining a permit database of all Zoning Permit Applications and Land Alteration Permits.
• Conducts Permit Review and Follow-up. Conducts the site inspections of all permits to ensure compliance with ordinances and regulations. Documents the results and updates the permit database for each inspection.
• Assists in the Enforcement of Land Use Ordinances. Meets with the public, realtors, appraisers, and developers regarding potential enforcement issues. Communicates with the public whether perceived issues comply with regulations or provides an explanation if perceived issues do not comply with regulations.
• Reviews Land Division Requests. Meets with the public to discuss potential Land Division Requests to determine if the proposal complies with regulations. Discusses advanced and high-level proposals with senior staff then provides explanation if proposal does not comply with regulations. Offers guidance to bring proposal into compliance.
• Researches and Assists in the Creation of Staff Reports. Occasionally meets with the public and developers regarding rezoning, conditional use permit, variance, and land division applications. Assists senior staff in the development of conditions for the Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.
• Acts as a Notary Public.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to listen, comprehend, and effectively communication information both written and orally to all individuals.
• Ability to conduct research for reports and develop recommendations.
• Ability to work with moderate to minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of comprehensive Land Use laws and rules.
• Ability to make adjustments to work in order to coordinate efforts with others, ensuring consistency.
• Knowledge of maintaining a Land Use Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Ability to interpret regulations, requirements, and activities and effectively provide explanation to individuals, officials, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain patience, confidence, and composure under pressure or adverse circumstances.
• Ability to impartially evaluate different sides of controversial issues.
• Knowledge of the principles of environmental and land use programs.
• Knowledge of computer software sufficient for database and spreadsheet operations.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Urban Studies, Land Use, or a related natural resources science field, and 1 year of related experience in Planning, Code Enforcement, and/or Erosion Control;

High School diploma and 2 years of related experience in Planning, Code Enforcement, and/or Erosion Control;

Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

Requires the incumbent to work inside, outside, on uneven ground, alone, with others, around others, and have contact with the public.

Incumbent may be exposed to dirt, dust, fumes, gases, noise, heat, cold, wetness, humidity, marked changes in temperature, chemicals, and moving objects.

Activities that occur continuously are preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities, organizational and interpersonal skills, concentration, and time management.

Activities that occur frequently are walking, sitting, standing, use of both feet, using your fingers for fine manipulation, talking, hearing, using near and far vision, problem solving using analytical ability, communicating both verbally and in writing, creativity, and working with interruptions.

Activities that occur occasionally are handling, using depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Activities that occur infrequently are twisting, climbing staircases, reaching straight, above, or below shoulder level individually or at the same time, and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

Driver’s license valid in the State of Minnesota.

Become a Minnesota Notary Public within 6 months of date of hire.

MN Pollution Control Agency SSTS Administrator Training within 6 months of date of hire.

Other Requirements

Participates in Professional Staff Development.

Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency.

The incumbent may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, incumbent must properly store the not public data according to the provisions Ch. 13. If a new work assignment requires access to not public data, the incumbent is permitted to access not public data for the work assignment purposes only. Any access to not public data must be strictly limited to the data necessary to complete the work assignment and after the assignment is completed, the employee’s work assignment no longer requires access.

Minimum Qualifications

1.  Driver’s license valid in the State of Minnesota.

2. Two Years of related experience in Planning, Code Enforcement, and/or Erosion Control.

Salary/Benefits: Starting wage is $26.41 per hour per hour plus health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay and many other voluntary benefits.  Salary range is $26.41 - $37.37 per hour.

Contact information:

Sarah Pint

Le Sueur County Human Resources

88 S. Park Avenue, Le Center, MN  56057

Telephone: 507-357-8579 -  Fax: 507-357-8607

Email: [email protected]

Deadline:  Open until filled. Reviewing applications October 27, 2025. 

 Equal Opportunity Employer