Operations Specialist in Training

The Operations Specialist in Training is an entry-level technical position within the Land Services Department. The training assignment provides the opportunity to acquire certification and build expertise in a developmental role that is subject to regular review and oversight. Eligibility for progression to the Operations Specialist position occurs when there is demonstrated mastery of the key accountabilities, sustained satisfactory performance of one or more years and attainment of minimum qualifications as outlined in the job description.

The position is the primary resource for aquatic invasive species prevention, timber sale administration, tax delinquency and forfeiture processing. The incumbent will be responsible for creating, modifying, and maintaining a variety of data sets within the county Geographic Information System (GIS). This includes but is not limited to the parcel map, the E911 addressing program and other land related GIS layers.

The position is highly engaged with special interest groups and will have frequent contact with customers and department staff serving as a resource on a wide range of program matters. Work will require customer responsiveness, resourcefulness, sound critical thinking and problem-solving skills, project coordination, and data management.

The Operations Specialist in Training serves as a technical resource to staff, responding to inquiries on matters relating to property tax roll records and ensuring compliance with departmental procedures. The position interacts frequently with internal and external contacts including state and municipal representatives, other department personnel and the public, requiring excellent customer service skills.

The position operates under the supervision of the Land Services Operations Manager, performing duties as provided under Minnesota statutes/rules and County Ordinances. The incumbent will serve as professional staff support to the Operations Manager, Land Services Supervisors, Land Services Director, County Administrator, and County Board.

· 911 GIS Addressing:

o Maintains county E911 GIS system and Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) information including assignment of addresses and coordinates standard practices with city and township staff.

o Ensures the accuracy of GIS and MSAG address information, jurisdictional boundaries, street centerline information, street names, street ranges, community names, and/or other applicable information.

o Receives and processes new street names created in subdivisions of land for entry into applicable databases.

· GIS Parcel Mapping:

o Update parcel mapping to reflect changes relating to parcel splits, minor subdivisions, platted subdivisions, vacations, consolidations, annexations, detachments, or taxing district reorganization utilizing ESRI GIS software.

· Coordination: Assist in updating and implementation of the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan annually. Including assigning resources, observing performance, and providing feedback, scheduling, outreach and operational or project related needs. Frequent contact with watercraft inspectors at public boat accesses and decontamination stations and serve as a resource on a wide range of AIS issues including identification and prevention. Communicate County and MN DNR policies and procedures to inspectors. Perform training, guidance, and audits of inspector work activity. This position plays a key role in identifying opportunities for improved performance, recommending solutions, and facilitating changes.

· Collaboration and Coordination with Related Agencies: Participates with others in the collaboration and coordination of activities as necessary to effectively fulfill assigned duties including other county departments and related outside agencies such as Lake Associations, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Soil and Water Conservation District, Department of Natural Resources, municipalities, and townships within the county, other counties and state and federal agencies as needed.

· Delinquency and Forfeiture Processing: This position is responsible for the post forfeiture property tax process. This includes but is not limited to repurchases of forfeited land and tax forfeited land sales.

· Customer Service: Respond to citizen inquiries in a professional and service-oriented manner including communicating county department policies and activities to citizens, property owners, and stakeholders, such as lake associations, business, and community groups, as well as to local officials and County Commissioners.

· Accountability: Organize time and activities to effectively achieve completion of assigned work and performance objectives as established by the office and through the annual performance appraisal including compliance with all department procedures, guidelines, and policies.

· Staff Support: Serve as a resource and provide support to Land Services staff responding to questions pertaining to splits and consolidations, 911 addressing and property ownership.

· Reporting: Serves as the central hub for collection, assessment and reporting of data relating to outcomes and programmatic and workforce performance.

· Technology: Utilize a wide variety of technology associated with land and water management, including but not limited to GIS, GPS, aerial photography, and other applications as needed to manage land and water assets. Accountable for the administration of workforce management systems including time and attendance systems, survey data collection systems, and grant management systems.

· Policy Initiatives: Recommends policy initiatives to improve customer service, promote wise land use practices, and enhance protection of natural resources, consistent with the County’s AIS Plan, comprehensive plan, land use ordinance, water plan, and applicable state rules, plans and statutes.

· Special Projects and Other: Perform all other related assignments as required, including special projects as assigned by supervisor, in a professional and effective manner.

o Process transfer/split documents including verification of ownership and updating parcel records.

o Manage records retention to ensure accurate and timely retrieval and disposal and compliance with records retention schedules.

· Associate degree in GIS, geography, or closely related field or equivalent knowledge gained from related experience and/or education.

· GIS Associate certification or ability to obtain within 3 years.

· Advanced proficiency of Microsoft software programs. (Word and Excel).

· Level I and Level II Watercraft Inspection Authorization or ability to obtain within 1 year.

· Valid state issued driver’s license.

· Four-year degree in GIS, Geography or closely related field, OR equivalent knowledge gained through the combination of education and /or experience.

· Knowledge of metes and bounds legal description and Minnesota Statutes concerning real estate transfers.

· Knowledge of maps, records, drafting symbols, and survey materials.

· Public Land Survey system: principles, fundamentals, trends, techniques, and structure including legal description mapping.

· Work experience reading, interpreting, and drawing out property legal descriptions and using the Public Land Survey system.

· Knowledge and experience working with ESRI GIS software and ESRI's Parcel Fabric solution and the techniques and methods of maintaining the Parcel Fabric.

· Work experience with Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) system and Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) development and maintenance.

· Technical database and operational support for GIS and related software.

· Ability to effectively apply and explain standard policies and working procedures.

· Ability to collect and organize for use in performance reporting, programmatic evaluation, customer service and outcome related assessments.

· Skill in communicating in written and verbal form including presentations, reports, manuals, and general correspondence.

· Ability to manage and measure work, establish measurable objectives, and evaluate outcomes.

· Knowledge of federal and state statutes, rules, and policies applicable to aquatic invasive species, tax forfeiture, real estate transfers, employment, and safety.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and collaborate with employees, attorneys, realtors, abstractors, contractor’s other state/county employees and the general public.

· Plan, implement, and administer policies, programs, and projects and monitor for efficiency and effectiveness.

· Comprehend complex issues and express ideas clearly and concisely.

· Ability to train and educate others on the Aquatic Invasive Species Plan.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to ensure effectiveness of interactions with citizens, developers, contractors, State and local government representatives, and the general public and to effectively represent the County at various governmental/professional bodies and organizations.