Wildfire Permitting and Mitigation Specialist

Jefferson County; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off (PTO) with 40 hours at a

Holidays

Retirement matching

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible schedules

Remote work options

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking a Permit Technician & Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator in the Planning & Zoning Division. The role reviews and approves permit applications, determines fees, processes permits, and coordinates WUI, WRC, and building requirements.

You will be the main public interface, addressing inquiries and explaining code interpretations related to wildfire mitigation. The position operates on a hybrid four-day week (Monday-Thursday) with a starting salary range of $70,150 to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Land Use, Planning, Urban & Regional Planning or similar.
• Minimum one year of experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable.
• AICP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive inquiries by telephone and in person, provide information based on Division activities and codes.
• Assist contractors, homeowners, and the public at the front counter regarding building codes and permits.
• Process permits, review compliance and inspect landscaping and forest mitigation.
• Research and manage administrative cases and comment on development cases.
• Summarize data in standardized permit reports and ensure transparent tracking of metrics.

Skills

Public inquiries handling

Documentation

Code interpretation

Permit processing

Urban planning knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Land Use, Planning, Urban & Regional Planning or similar

Job description

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on:

10/21/26

Division:

Planning & Zoning Division

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility:

This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Permit Technician & Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator is responsible for performing a variety of technical and administrative duties in support of the Division. Key responsibilities include reviewing and approving permit applications, determining permit fees, processing permits, and serving as a coordinator to new Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI), Wildfire Resiliency Code (WRC) and Building requirements.

Additionally, this role serves as a primary public interface—answering complex inquiries, researching historical records, and explaining code interpretations especially in relation to WUI and WRC. In alignment with Jefferson County’s strategic infrastructure and public safety priorities (such as those supported by revenue retention measure 1A), this position supports the essential public services, roads, and wildfire mitigation systems that keep our communities safe, well-maintained, and comfortable for future generations.

Schedule:

This position operates on a hybrid, four day work week typically Monday-Thursday.

Compensation:

Hiring Range: $70,150.00-$71,150.00 USD Salary

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills.

Benefits:

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays, including a starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires ; retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement; flexible schedules; remote work options; and more. For more information, click here for our Total Rewards summary.

Essential Duties:

• Receive inquiries by telephone and in person, providing information based on considerable knowledge of Division activities as well as building codes and permits. Refer callers to appropriate personnel, as necessary. Route messages for Division personnel. Research inquiries from the public via computer, active files and archived records. Explain code interpretations. Determine inspection sequences. Perform general problem solving.
• Assist contractors, homeowners, and the public in person at the front counter. Respond to inquiries regarding building codes, Defensible Space Permitting, Wildfire Urban Interface and building permits. Prepare and issue permits, review compliance and inspect landscaping and forest mitigation(s).
• Process permits by reviewing for adherence to regulations. Evaluate land use and development proposals. Understand the characteristics of the development proposal and decide what regulations and policies are appropriate to apply to a case or property. Ensure proposals are within zoning regulations. Resolve proposal issues.
• Research and manage AE, MVR, SE, and other administrative cases. Simple BOA cases (consent Agenda). Comment and provide professional input on development cases.
• Use computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet and/ or retrieve information. Summarize data in standardized permit reports, including semi-annual and annual reports.
• Use computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet, and/ or retrieve information. Summarize data in standardized permit reports, including semi-annual and annual reports, to ensure transparent tracking of county development and infrastructure metrics.
• Process materials from typed or handwritten copy. Use a variety of complicated formats for preparing correspondence, permits, certificates of occupancy, inspection tickets, labels, reports, and records. Ensure correctness of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and format.
• Establish and maintain a variety of tangible files. Scan, file and retrieve information as requested or otherwise necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click "apply" for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Land Use, Planning, Urban & Regional Planning or similar
• Experience: Minimum one year
• Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred
• 3+ years experience
• Demonstrated ability to perform independently
• Experience processing complex rezoning cases
• Experience with high-level support of regulation and long-range projects
• Ability to work on multiple complex projects at one time
• Permit experience.
• Planning / development review experience
• Experience giving high-quality presentations to boards and commissions.
• Strong writing skills, especially on reports dealing with complex issues of local importance
• Experience mentoring less experienced staff
• American Planning Association (APA) membership preferred at hire
• Ability to Explain Complex Information to varying audiences

Additional Requirements:

• Driver’s License: Positions that require driving on County business in either a county or personal vehicle require a valid Colorado’s driver’s license within 30-days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references for all positions.
• Accommodations Statement : We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.

Education:

Work Experience: Minimum one year

Category:

Engineering & Construction Services