Platting, Subdivision, and Land Records Specialist

Salary: $27.71 Hourly
Location : Douglas County Courthouse, 305 8th Avenue W, Alexandria, MN 56308, MN
Job Type: Full Time - Regular - 37.5 hrs/wk
Job Number: 10705:05/12/2026
Department: Land & Resource
Opening Date: 05/11/2026
Closing Date: 6/1/2026 12:00 PM Central


Job Description

JOB TITLE : Platting, Subdivision, and Land Records Specialist DEPARTMENT: Land and Resource Management STATUS: Full Time; 37.5 hrs/wk; Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
STARTING SALARY: The starting salary is $54,035 annually ($27.71/hr) based on the current pay grid.
**Receive anniversary step increases, along with annual cost-of-living adjustments.
The primary purpose of this position is to assist with the administration and enforcement of the Douglas County Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances, especially as they relate to applications for subdivision of land (including administrative, major, and minor subdivisions), real property transfer documents and easements, and the review and recording of legal documents pertaining to the same.


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.

• Reviews real property transfer documents and easements prior to final recording for compliance with county zoning and subdivision ordinance requirements.
• Manages the application, review, and approval process for major and minor subdivisions. Receives, tracks, and compiles all applications for major and minor subdivisions by platting. Ensures that applications are complete, including surveys meeting ordinance specifications, wetland review, and soils verification forms are complete and filed, ownership/purchase agreements are verified, and signatures and payments have been submitted by established deadlines. Tracks the progress of preliminary and final plat applications within the LRM permitting database from receipt of application to final approval by the county board.
• Compiles sketch plats, drawings, and associated materials for review by the development review team (DRT), technical staff, and planning commission. Sets dates for DRT meetings, drafts agendas, and publishes and distributes minutes.
• Ensures that special use permits (including variances) and approved subdivision plat documents are properly completed and ready for recording according to MN Statute. Files documents with the County Recorder after approval and all signatures are acquired.
• Contributes to the drafting of staff reports to the Planning Commission related to major subdivision applications or variances to ordinance requirements for developments, including the drafting of specific recommendations to ensure developments comply with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the requirements of the zoning and subdivision ordinances.
• Compiles preliminary and final plat applications and supporting materials for Planning Advisory Commission and County Board of Commissioners meeting agendas and packets.
• Manages the application, review, and approval process for administrative subdivisions (metes and bounds and property line adjustments). Receives, tracks, and compiles all applications for administrative subdivisions. Ensures that applications are complete, including surveys meeting ordinance specifications, wetland review, and soils verification forms are complete and filed, septic compliance documentation has been provided when required, ownership/purchase agreements are verified, and signatures and payments have been submitted.
• Reviews administrative subdivision applications for compliance with subdivision and zoning ordinance standards. Completes review forms and compiles applications for Director/Asst. Director approval.
• Supports the Director and Assistant. Director with major subdivision development requirements through the tracking of development agreements, financial securities, restrictive covenants, and final plat maps, and other related documents. Completes checklists to ensure platted development projects are in compliance with ordinance requirements and specific conditions of preliminary approval, that required timelines and deadlines for various aspects of the review and approval process are met, and that all documents are complete and submitted prior to final plat approval or within timelines specified by county agreements with developers.
• Acts as the responsible LRM staff person for ensuring department compliance with identity shielding requirements of Safe At Home (MN SS 5b.03) and the Judicial Security Act (MN SS 480.55).
• Assists with the interpretation and drafting of legal descriptions for agendas, applications, and recordable documents.
• Complies with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.
• Reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Performs other duties, as assigned or apparent.

Access to Not 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.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE:
*Recently Updated:
Education and Experience:
An Associate's degree in the legal field, business administration, surveying, or a related field, and a minimum of one (1) year of related full-time experience in land title, real estate, and/or legal documents.
OR


Four years of full-time experience with drafting, reviewing, and/or interpreting real estate records, legal land descriptions, and/or land title and transfer documents.
Licenses and Other Requirements:
Currently possess a valid Class D Minnesota State Driver's License, or be able to obtain one upon the start of employment.


REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE:
Competency with computers, including knowledge of database operation and management
Working knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of legal land descriptions, land measurements, and land records, as well as land title and transfer documents.
Experience with plats, ability to read and sketch legal descriptions of real property, and decipher surveys.
Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
Efficient in completing assignments.
Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.


Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Ability to perform professionally under stress with tight deadlines.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's degree in Arts or Sciences.

Experience
Three (3) years or more of related experience in land title, real estate, and/or legal documents.
Experience with County GIS mapping software.
Experience in the Landshark property records databases.

Licenses and Other Requirements
Notary certification or the ability to attain certification during employment.


PREFERRED / DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES:
Familiarity with county or municipal land use and subdivision permitting and regulation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Public building. An Office environment.


HOURS
Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
37.5 hours per week.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS CAN INVOLVE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Amount Lifted:
Amount Lifted Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Amount Lifted 11 to 20 lbs.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Amount Lifted21to 80 lbs.: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days; Amount Lifted 81 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Amount Pushed or Pulled:
Amount Pushed or Pulled Up to 20 lbs.: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days; Amount Pushed or Pulled 21 to 30 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs.,17 min or 88 to 172 days

Amount Pushed or Pulled 31 to 50 lbs.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Amount Pushed or Pulled 51 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present


Vision:
Near & Far Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days; Depth & 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


Contact With Others:
Works Alone: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Works with Others: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Works 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: Not Present


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: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Walking/Moving About: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Balancing: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days; Climbing, Crouching & Kneeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days; Kneeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Crawling: Not Present

Motor Skills:
Handling & Grasping: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Using Fingers: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Reaching & Feeling: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Driving: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days


Exposures To:
Electrical, Pressurized, Burning, Explosive, Radiant Equipment: Not Present; Mechanical & Moving Equip.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Heights: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days; Fumes/Odors, Dirt/Dust & Gases: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 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, Shift & Vibration: Not Present; Extreme Hot & Cold: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Wet & Noise: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days; Infectious Diseases and/or Body Fluids: Not Present


Extended Day: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

See also Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT USED
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).


OTHER
All listed above are essential functions of the job.
The starting salary is $54,035 annually ($27.71/hr) based on the current pay grid.
**Receive anniversary step increases, along with annual cost-of-living adjustments with earning potential of $35.45 hr; $69,127.5 annually.


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 *Christmas Day *Personal 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:
0 - 5 years - 10 working days.
6 -10 years - 15 working days.
11 - 15 years - 20 working days.
16 - 20 years - 25 working days.
Over 20 years - 30 working days.

Supervision Received : Land and Resource Management Director
Supervision Exercised : None.
Labor Group : Non-Union
FLSA Status : Non-Exempt
Grade : 7
EEO Job Category : Administrative Support Workers
Work Comp Code : 8810:MN


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.

Revised : 2/2026
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). For a more detailed overview of our benefits package,


Benefits may offered on a pro-rata basis or not offered for less than full-time employment.
01


INSTRUCTIONS:The responses you provide to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements and/or your final score.1) DO NOT submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. 2) DO NOT type "See Resume" as a response for any of the supplemental questions or on the employment application. 3) Thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of the application. 4) Give detailed descriptions of each position that you feel qualifies you for the job you are applying for. 5) Be sure to accurately report dates and hours worked per week.6) Concisely, briefly, and accurately complete the Supplemental Questions. 7) Be sure to cross reference where in your Education and Work Experience you learned your skills.8) Any information you submit may be verified. 9) Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or receiving a lower score.10) You must have a valid e-mail address to apply for jobs with the Douglas County. All communication regarding your application and status will be done by e-mail. If you do not have an e-mail address listed in your profile, you must include one before you submit and confirm your application.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the above statements.

02


Please check if you currently possess a valid Class D Minnesota State Driver's License, or be able to obtain one upon the start of employment.

• Yes.
• No.

03


Please check how you meet the minimum qualifications at hire:

• An Associate's degree in the legal field, business administration, surveying, or a related field, and a minimum of one (1) year of related full-time experience in land title, real estate, and/or legal documents.
• Four years of full-time experience with drafting, reviewing, and/or interpreting real estate records, legal land descriptions, and/or land title and transfer documents.
• None of the above.

04


In regard to the above questions, describe and explain how your education and work experience meet the minimum requirements of this position.
05


Indicate highest level of education completed:*Note: If you are in the process of earning a degree, do not list it as your highest level of education completed.

• Associates Degree (A.A.) or completion of 2 year schooling in legal field or business administration.
• Associates Degree in the legal field or business administration and additional course work.
• Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Arts or Science.
• Bachelor's Degree in Arts or Science and more.
• None of the above.

06


How many years of full- time experience do you have in interpreting and reading legal descriptions, including land titles and real estate? If you mark that you do have experience, you must document this experience in the "Work Experience" section of your application. When calculating the length of experience, convert part-time work to full-time work, and report only the full-time equivalent. Example: 2 years working 20 hours/week would be equivalent to working 1 year 40 hours/week.

• None.
• 1 day to 1 month.
• 1 month to less than 12 months.
• 1 year to less than 2 years.
• 2 years to less than 4 years.
• 4 years to less than 6 years.
• 6 years to less than 8 years.
• 8 years to less than 10 years.
• 10 years or more.

07


Please indicate the number of years you have of paid full-time work experience with computers, and using/managing databases?

• 1 day to less than 1 year.
• 1 year to less than 3 years.
• 3 years to less than 5 years.
• 5 years to less than 8 years.
• 8 years to less than 10 years.
• 10 years or more.
• None of the above.

08


Please check the following relevant systems and tools that you have working knowledge and experience with.

• Microsoft Outlook.
• Microsoft Word.
• Microsoft Teams.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Microsoft Access.
• Adobe Acrobat
• CRM database.
• AS400 database.
• Landlink database.
• LandShark database.
• Geographic Information System (GIS), or with Legal Descriptions.
• Fast Track Gov (county permitting database).
• None of the above.

09


How much full-time customer service experience do you have where you served customers face-to-face, on the telephone, and electronically?If you mark that you do have experience, you must document this experience in the "Work Experience" section of your application. When calculating the length of experience, convert part-time work to full-time work, and report only the full-time equivalent. Example: 2 years working 20 hours/week would be equivalent to working 1 year 40 hours/week.

• None.
• 1 day to 1 month.
• 1 month to less than 6 months.
• 6 months to less than 1 year.
• 1 year to less than 3 years.
• 3 years to less than 5 years.
• 5 years or more.

10


Have you worked full-time in the same or similar position in county government? If you mark that you do have experience, you must document this experience in the "Work Experience" section of your application. When calculating length of experience, convert part-time work to full-time work, and report only the full-time equivalent. Example: 2 years working 20 hours/week would be equivalent to working 1 year 40 hours/week.

• None.
• 1 day to less than 1 year.
• 1 year to less than 2 years.
• 2 years to less than 3 years.
• 3 years to less than 5 years.
• 5 years to less than 8 years.
• 8 years to less than 10 years.
• 10 years or more.

11


Please describe and explain your knowledge and/or experience with platting, subdivision, and land records. If none, please type "None".
12


OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Describe any other special training you've completed or skills and experience you currently possess that you feel would make you the best-qualified person for this position. If none, please type "None".
13


Which of the following Veteran's Preference do you wish to claim (in order to receive Veteran's Preference credit, you must submit a copy of your DD214 to the Administrator's Office by the application deadline)?

• No Veteran's Preference.
• Veteran Preference.
• Veteran Preference with Disability.
• Spouse of disabled or deceased Veteran.

Required Question