Broadband Specialist – Zoning
Overview
Be a Connector for the County!
La Crosse County is committed to providing residents access to high-speed internet as a strategic initiative. To carry out that commitment we are seeking to fill a professional level position in the County Zoning, Planning, and Land Information Department responsible for working to establish broadband in unserved and underserved areas of La Crosse County by performing technical work relating to broadband infrastructure, economic development programming, and grant writings. This position will facilitate the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout the County.
This is a 2-Year, limited-term position, that will be eligible for health insurance and enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
Salary Range: $54,288 – $69,756
Essential Job Functions
ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP FUNCTIONS:
Acts with integrity and builds trust through demonstrated respect, humility, and honesty. Treats others with dignity.
Encourages open communication. Actively listens and demonstrates open-minded thinking and willingness to accept other’s points of view. Engages stakeholders and effectively collaborates.
Employs vision and strategy to drive positive results by leading with clear goals, objectives, and desired outcomes.
Demonstrates ability to be flexible while informally influencing others through coaching, motivation, and team-minded thinking to arrive at solutions that provide best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.
Demonstrates agile thinking while understanding the dynamics of the organization and public influence and perception.
Serves as an active participant in various committees and teams to influence key decisions within the County. Takes intelligent risks and leads the organization through change.
Demonstrates perseverance by pushing through difficult and challenging situations. Leads, collaborates, partners, and drives results on all County-wide broadband initiatives. Serves as an advocate in the County for broadband related strategies.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Monitors legislation related to broadband funding, initiatives and infrastructure.
Manages and assists with the creation of land information data, projects and data collection processes between the County and various local governmental units, ISP providers and the private sector. May make routine mapping and surveying calculations.
Manages and drafts grant applications for local communities (towns) in project development, grants, and implementation with broadband partners.
Providing technical knowledge, guidance, data, support, and advice related to broadband, FCC, WI PSC and internet service providers to towns within La Crosse County.
Builds relationships, collaborates, and communicates with a range of stakeholders, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs); Serves as official representative and public relations liaison for broadband initiatives; Attends various meetings and may serve as member of or advisor to appropriate committees; Develops, composes, and organizes a variety of professional level narratives, reports, and correspondence for presentation to a variety of audiences ranging from towns to board members and/or regulatory authorities.
Seeks out additional funding sources and methods for the development of and expansion of broadband programs. Develops and prepares applications for governmental funding for broadband development. Monitors grant resources and the use of outside financial assistance where appropriate.
Prepares annual budget for programs related to Broadband, applying unified department financing strategy, which provides transparency and awareness of the dedicated funding sources and where they originate to ensure programs operate efficiently and effectively; Monitors budget and services purchased through contracts to ensure fiscal and performance accountability, makes appropriate recommendations, and ensures the section meets any programmatic obligations tied to funding sources (e.g., grants).
Serves towns in La Crosse County to develop and perform environmental assessments and/or prepare for and obtain regulatory permits for revenue division plans and projects to gain regulatory review. Develops mitigation programs to mitigate environmental impacts and meet permit conditions; analyzes performance of mitigation measures/programs overt time to assess efficacy and adjust if necessary.
Maintains compliance with federal programs, laws and requirements, administration of broadband programs, grant writing, assistance with economic development and redevelopment programs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of maps and interpretation of maps.
Knowledge of state and local laws.
Thorough knowledge of state economic development programs and grants.
Knowledge in at least one of the following areas: renewable energy, water quality and conservation, recycling and waste reduction, sustainability and climate action planning, hazard mitigation, and/or infrastructure related to high-speed internet/broadband.
Ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with the business community and a variety of public officials and private citizens.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to make effective presentations to professional and lay groups.
Ability to prepare a variety of documents including planning reports, maps, procedural manuals, letters, and other correspondence.
Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents including survey and other maps, address information and other request, planning reports, site plans, permits, deeds, etc.
Ability to work independently and manage a variety of concurrent work assignments.
Ability to operate computers and related hardware.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, planning, GIS, earth science, public administration, or other related fields. Master’s Degree in an appropriate field is preferred.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
Five years’ experience in Economic Development, Public Utility, or with an ISP with a demonstrated record of accomplishment.
Strong communication skills and understanding of local government and strong computer skills using Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access.
May consider other relevant combinations of education and experience that provide equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Deadline Note: