Wildfire Permitting and Mitigation Specialist

Jefferson County CO • Golden, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

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

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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 computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet, and/or file maintenance programs to enter, store, and 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level