Wildfire Permitting and Mitigation Specialist

Jefferson County; United States; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Retirement matching

Tuition reimbursement

Remote work options

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking a Permit Technician & Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator to support the Planning & Zoning Division. You will review permits, calculate fees, and coordinate WUI/WRC and building requirements while serving as the primary public interface.

The role requires strong writing, project management, and the ability to explain complex codes to diverse audiences. It offers a hybrid four-day work week and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Land Use, Planning, Urban & Regional Planning or similar.
• Experience: Minimum one year.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve permit applications and determine fees.
• Process permits and coordinate with WUI/WRC/building requirements.
• Explain code interpretations to public and assist at front counter.
• Prepare and issue permits, review compliance and inspect landscaping and wildfire mitigation.

Skills

Strong writing

Multiple projects

Public presentations

Permit experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Land Use/Planning

AICP certification preferred

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.

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.

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 file maintenance programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information.
• Summarize data in standardized permit reports, including semi-annual and annual reports.
• 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.
• Process materials from typed or handwritten copy.
• 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.
• 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.

Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons. The County affirms the rights of all employees and applicants for employment to be protected from discrimination, intimidation, physical harm and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, hairstyle associated with racial identity or any other status protected by Federal or State law.