Zoning Planner

Pitkin County Library; Aspen (CO); On-site; USD 73,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Pitkin County is seeking a Zoning Planner to review building and development permits for compliance with the Land Use Code and approved site plans, and to guide staff, applicants, and the public regarding permitted uses and standards.

The role includes evaluating plans, conducting on-site zoning inspections, preparing staff reports, and coordinating across departments to support orderly growth in Aspen, Colorado. This full-time position offers benefits and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree preferred or Bachelor's Degree required. Education in Urban Planning, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related fields.
• Experience in planning or community development is preferred.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and analyzes development plans and verifies plans are in compliance with County Codes, policies, and procedures as well as applicable state and federal regulations.
• Conducts in-person zoning inspections during construction to verify compliance with approved permits and County Codes.
• Analyzes road setback, yard setback, and height variance applications for various development projects. Prepares staff reports with recommendations for approval, conditional approval, or denial to the Board of Adjustment.
• Develops and presents reports and recommendations in public meetings to appointed officials.
• Reviews and providing zoning-related referral comments for land use applications and providing compliance support to the code enforcement team, in addition to other department and inter-agency coordination.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Multitasking under pressure

Independent and teamwork

Deadline prioritization

Policy interpretation

Relationship building

Education

Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in related field

Colorado Driver’s License

Job description

Job Details

• Job Title: Zoning Planner
• Salary: $73,079.97 - $127,890.05 Annually
• Location: Aspen, CO
• Job Type: Full-time with benefits, salaried
• Job Number: 202300406
• Department: Community Development
• Opening Date: 09/08/2026
• Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
• Bilingual Stipend: No
• Hiring Minimum: $35.13
• Hiring Maximum: $49.08
• Pay Grade: P105
• Hiring Range Description: The hiring range is the starting point of the pay range to the 4th quartile of the pay range. Starting pay will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

• Description
• Benefits
• Early applications are encouraged**
• Job Postings without Closing Dates: Job postings that do not have a closing date will remain open until filled.
• Job Postings with Closing Dates: An application deadline may be extended if the original deadline produced fewer applications than expected. Likewise, a job posting may be closed prior to the listed closing date if the number of applications reach the limit for that position.

Job Summary

Reviews building and other development permits for compliance with zoning regulations, the Land Use Code and approved site specific development plans. Provides guidance to staff, applicants, and the public regarding permitted uses, dimensional and development standards, and other aspects of zoning reviews and inspections.

Job Responsibilities

• Reviews and analyzes development plans and verifies plans are in compliance with County Codes, policies, and procedures as well as applicable state and federal regulations. Prepares deficiency notifications, as needed.
• Conducts in-person zoning inspections during construction to verify compliance with approved permits and County Codes. Provides planning and zoning information for the Certificate of Occupancy at the completion of the project.
• Analyzes road setback, yard setback, and height variance applications for various development projects. Prepares staff reports with recommendations for approval, conditional approval, or denial to the Board of Adjustment. Develops and presents reports and recommendations in public meetings to appointed officials.
• Supports the Community Development Department staff and referral agencies by reviewing and providing zoning-related referral comments for land use applications and providing compliance support to the code enforcement team, in addition to other department and inter-agency coordination.
• Provides specialized zoning-related information and interpretation to applicants regarding relevant permitting processes, regulations, and requirements with the goal to achieve structured and organized growth and development in the County. Supports the relationship between Pitkin County government and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and County staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and County information. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge And Skills

This position follows a sequence:

• Level I:
  • Masters Degree preferred or Bachelor's Degree required. Education required in Urban Planning, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or other related fields.
  • Experience in planning or community development is preferred.
  • Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.
• Level II (in addition to level I):
  • Masters Degree with two (2) years of experience or Bachelors Degree with (4) four years of experience.
  • Four to eight hours of continuing education and/or training related to job responsibilities, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Level III (in addition to Level II):
  • In addition to Level II, two (2) years progressively responsible and applicable experience.
  • Four to eight hours of continuing education and/or training related to job responsibilities, as assigned by the supervisor. Project management or leadership training is preferred.
  • AICP preferred.

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Fiscal and budgetary management and tracking.
• Organizational and community planning.
• Public policy processes.

Skill In

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
• Working efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines.
• Developing, understanding, interpreting, and communicating policies and procedures.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with frequent visits to active construction sites. Field work may require walking on uneven surfaces, climbing ladders, and working in varying weather conditions.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

For more information, click here for our 2025 Employee Benefits Guide in English. To review the version in Spanish, click here.

Employer

Pitkin County

Address 530 East Main Street, Suite 304, Aspen, Colorado, 81611

Phone [phone]

Website http://www.pitkincounty.com/jobs