Planner – Zoning and Permit Review (Hybrid Remote Option)

Arapahoe County Government; Centennial (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Arapahoe County Government is seeking a Planner – Zoning and Permit Review to interpret regulations and ensure zoning compliance across commercial, industrial, and residential projects. You will review complex permits, coordinate with public agencies, and prepare staff reports for hearings.

The role involves leading cross-divisional projects, drafting code amendments, and engaging with applicants and developers.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of zoning, subdivision, and urban/regional planning principles.
• Knowledge of state and local zoning codes and regulatory practices.
• Ability to interpret site design, landscaping, architectural, and land-use concepts.
• Ability to read and understand building plans and construction documents.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating development proposals and code issues.
• Ability to prepare clear and accurate reports, records, and legal documents.
• Effective verbal and written communication for public hearings.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build constructive working relationships with applicants, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to enforce zoning regulations with clarity and professionalism.
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and software systems.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, analyzes, and processes complex permits to ensure compliance with zoning and codes.
• Updates Land Development Code and manages full code amendment process.
• Responds to public requests for planning information and analyzes land use requests.
• Prepares staff reports and presents recommendations to boards/commissions.
• Serves as primary liaison to the Board of Adjustment.
• Manages other application processes (ag exemptions, land use letters, short-term rentals).
• Provides guidance to zoning staff on complex inquiries.
• Assists manager with special projects and training.
• Supports enforcement actions in coordination with County Attorney’s Office.
• Writes technical reports, memoranda, notices, and recommendations.
• Creates graphics to educate the public and decision makers.
• Conducts site inspections to ensure permit compliance.

Skills

Zoning principles

Subdivision knowledge

Urban/regional planning

State & local zoning codes

Interpreting site design

Building plans literacy

Analytical thinking

Report writing

Public speaking / hearings

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Planning/Geography/Public Admin

3+ years relevant experience

Master’s degree substitution for 2 years

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Office software

Job description

Planner – Zoning and Permit Review (Hybrid Remote Option)

Job Number: 846

Salary: $69,889.04 – $111,639.06

Department/Office: Public Works & Development

Division: Planning

Location: 6924 S. Lima St., Centennial, CO, 80112

Job Type : Salary Full-Time

Posting Date: 10/13/2026

Closing Date: 10/27/2026

The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Planner — Zoning and Permit Review is responsible for interpreting regulations and ensuring compliance with the Land Development Code and approved development plans through permit and other application review processes. Reviews complex commercial, industrial, residential, sign, and temporary use permits to ensure zoning compliance. The role manages Board of Adjustment cases, including variances and special exception use applications, provides recommendations on planning applications, and prepares staff reports for presentation at public hearings. Additionally, the position coordinates extensively with the public, county departments, outside agencies, and developers when reviewing and making recommendations on land use requests. Also serves as a lead for cross‑divisional projects and conducts analytical research and code drafting to support amendments to the Land Development Code.

DUTIES:

• Reviews, analyzes, and processes a variety of complex commercial, industrial, sign and temporary use permits to ensure compliance with the zoning, land development code, and applicable development plans.

• Conducts updates to the Land Development Code based on current and emerging land use trends, enforcement issues, and research. Manages the full Code amendment process, including drafting proposed updates, coordinating internal review, gathering public input, and independently preparing materials and presentations required for public hearings.

• Responds to public requests for planning and zoning information. Analyzes land use requests for compliance with the Land Development Code, the Comprehensive Plan, and design guidelines. Collaborates with different referral agencies and addresses conflicts between agencies, applicants, and the public.

• Prepares staff reports and presents recommendations to Board of Adjustment, with occasional presentation to the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. Additionally, serves as the primary liaison to the Board of Adjustment.

• Manages other application processes such as agricultural exemptions, land use determination letters, and short-term rental license applications.

• Provides guidance to zoning compliance staff on complex inquiries.

• Assists manager with special projects and supports training of new team members on code review and interpretation.

• Provides support of enforcement actions for complex zoning cases, in coordination with the County Attorney’s Office.

• Writes a variety of technical reports, agenda memoranda, public notices, and recommendations on zoning issues for a variety of audiences.

• Creates graphic materials to educate and inform the public and decision makers.

• Conducts site inspections and other activities, as needed, to ensure site development complies with permit requirements, site plan designs, and/or conditions of approval.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Knowledge of zoning, subdivision, and urban/regional planning principles.

• Knowledge of state and local zoning codes and regulatory practices.

• Ability to interpret site design, landscaping, architectural, and land‑use planning concepts.

• Ability to read and understand building plans and construction documents.

• Strong analytical skills for evaluating development proposals, code issues, and compliance.

• Ability to prepare clear and accurate reports, records, and legal documents.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills for public hearings and stakeholder coordination.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

• Ability to build constructive working relationships with applicants, agencies, and the public.

• Ability to enforce zoning regulations with clarity, fairness, and professionalism.

• Proficiency with standard office equipment and application/case management software systems.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability

• Accessibility

• Inclusivity

• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience.

• A Master’s degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a closely related field plus relevant internship experience may be substituted for two of the three years of required work experience.

• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a closely related field

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.

• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment with some site visits required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 75% of the time sitting and 25% of the time either standing or walking.

• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.

• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.

• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.

• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.

• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.

• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work‑related equipment.

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job‑related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

Employee Benefits Summary Brochure (https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Benefit_Summary.pdf)

Nearest Major Market: Denver