DIRECTOR OF LAND SERVICES

La Crosse County•La Crosse, WI

12d

About The Position

The Director of Land Services provides strategic leadership for the Land Services Department and its three divisions: Zoning & Planning, Land Conservation, and Survey & Land Records. Each division is led by a Division Manager who reports directly to the Director. This role shapes the long-term land use vision for La Crosse County and plays a key role in balancing growth, environmental stewardship, and community priorities. The Director leads countywide land services by setting department strategy, guiding policy development, overseeing long‑range planning and resource allocation, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and county requirements. Core service areas include land use regulation, planning and development, soil and water conservation, surveying and plat review, land records modernization, and GIS infrastructure. The Director also provides coordination with local, state, and federal partners to support cohesive and sustainable land use outcomes across the county. This position is appointed by the County Administrator and reports to the Deputy County Administrator. Essential Leadership Functions Act with Integrity and Build Trust Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions. Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints. Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives. Drive for Results Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes. Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results. Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring. Develop Talent and Effective Teams Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth. Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential. Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team. Lead with Vision and Strategy Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals. Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives. Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully. Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives. Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment. Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others. Build and Maintain Effective Relationships Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization. Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking. Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community. Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes. Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization. Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations. Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks. Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others. Essential Job Functions Department-Wide Leadership and Oversight Provides strategic direction for the department and ensures coordinated operations across all three divisions. Division Managers lead technical expertise and day-to-day operational decisions. Directly supervises three Division Managers, setting expectations, supporting performance, and ensuring accountability for program and staff leadership. Leads department-wide policy development, long‑range planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and county statutes related to zoning, land conservation, surveying, land records, and land use regulation. Leads department-level employee relations, including hiring decisions, performance management expectations, and fostering a positive organizational culture. Approves major departmental initiatives and supports Division Managers in executing operational and technical functions. Oversight of the Zoning & Planning Division The Director establishes division priorities and approves major land use and planning initiatives, while the Division Manager leads technical interpretation and enforcement. Provides direction for zoning enforcement, land use planning, ordinance interpretation, and coordination with the PRD Committee and Board of Adjustment. Ensures consistent and legally sound administration of zoning, floodplain, shoreland, nonmetallic mining, and related ordinances. Provides strategic leadership for major planning initiatives, community and economic development efforts, and intergovernmental coordination on land use. Oversight of the Land Conservation Division The Director sets the strategic direction for conservation programs, partnership priorities, and compliance expectations, while the Division Manager oversees technical conservation operations. Provides strategic leadership for soil and water conservation programs, farmland preservation, nonmetallic mining reclamation, stormwater and erosion control, and natural resource projects. Ensures programs align with federal/state mandates and county conservation goals. Guides relationships with partner agencies, such as NRCS, DNR, DATCP, and local municipalities. Oversight of the Survey & Land Records Division The Director sets strategic priorities for surveying, land records modernization, and GIS integration, while the Division Manager leads technical surveying, mapping, and regulatory review. Provides strategic leadership for county surveying, subdivision ordinance administration, plat, and Certified Survey Map review, and PLSS/geodetic monumentation priorities. Establishes policies for land records modernization, GIS integration, and real property listing functions. Ensures statutory compliance and supports countywide land information needs. Intergovernmental and Community Coordination Serves as the primary liaison to towns, villages, cities, state agencies, and federal partners on countywide land issues. Leads public processes related to hearings, outreach, and community engagement on land use and environmental initiatives. Coordinates census data, municipal boundary changes, and supports accurate redistricting. Supports continuity of operations and county emergency response as assigned. Related Job Functions This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required. Physical demands: The role is primarily office‑based, involving extended periods of desk work, meetings, and computer use. Occasional travel to other offices, field sites, or properties may require walking on uneven terrain.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal, public‑relations, and communication skills, including presenting to committees, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex regulatory programs.
Ability to build effective working relationships with county officials, local governments, agencies, developers, contractors, and community members.
Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem‑solving abilities.
Ability to interpret and apply zoning, planning, conservation, surveying, platting, and land records systems.
Ability to navigate and apply federal, state, and local laws related to land management and natural resources.
Ability to balance competing priorities in a complex regulatory and political environment.
Bachelor’s degree in planning, civil engineering, natural resources, public administration, or a related field
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in land services that includes supervisory and/or leadership responsibility.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working in complex regulatory environments.
Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or ability to obtain.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction for the department and ensures coordinated operations across all three divisions.
Directly supervises three Division Managers, setting expectations, supporting performance, and ensuring accountability for program and staff leadership.
Leads department-wide policy development, long‑range planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and county statutes related to zoning, land conservation, surveying, land records, and land use regulation.
Leads department-level employee relations, including hiring decisions, performance management expectations, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Approves major departmental initiatives and supports Division Managers in executing operational and technical functions.
Provides direction for zoning enforcement, land use planning, ordinance interpretation, and coordination with the PRD Committee and Board of Adjustment.
Ensures consistent and legally sound administration of zoning, floodplain, shoreland, nonmetallic mining, and related ordinances.
Provides strategic leadership for major planning initiatives, community and economic development efforts, and intergovernmental coordination on land use.
Provides strategic leadership for soil and water conservation programs, farmland preservation, nonmetallic mining reclamation, stormwater and erosion control, and natural resource projects.
Ensures programs align with federal/state mandates and county conservation goals.
Guides relationships with partner agencies, such as NRCS, DNR, DATCP, and local municipalities.
Provides strategic leadership for county surveying, subdivision ordinance administration, plat, and Certified Survey Map review, and PLSS/geodetic monumentation priorities.
Establishes policies for land records modernization, GIS integration, and real property listing functions.
Ensures statutory compliance and supports countywide land information needs.
Serves as the primary liaison to towns, villages, cities, state agencies, and federal partners on countywide land issues.
Leads public processes related to hearings, outreach, and community engagement on land use and environmental initiatives.
Coordinates census data, municipal boundary changes, and supports accurate redistricting.
Supports continuity of operations and county emergency response as assigned.