Planner II-Wildfire - Full-time

About the Department

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits!   As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for this position is $27.8730 - $31.5357 per hour, DOE.
 
The Missoula County Department of Planning Development & Sustainability is seeking a PLANNER II - WILDFIRE to join their team. This position performs professional level duties in community planning and development, with a specific emphasis on planning and development review related to community-based wildfire risk reduction. May be assigned to work on current planning and permitting, long range planning, and/or code development. Work involves complex issues and projects for the Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department. May work on more complex projects or controversial issues as part of a team. 
This is a grant funded position that has a funding commitment of at least four years for a full-time position under a Community Wildfire Defense Grant, which outlines details related to this position. The County intends to find long-term funding for this position.
 
Details: We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2026. It is in your best interest to apply by this date.

To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest, and a resume.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Position Duties

Develops or assists with projects and serves as a resource to other staff on initiatives such as:

• Completing the county’s community wildfire protection plan
• Incorporating wildfire risk reduction into county long range planning for growth and development
• Incorporating wildfire urban interface (WUI) codes for new construction into county subdivision, zoning and building codes
• Assessing the effectiveness of county home risk reduction programs
• Creating a parcel-based wildfire risk map to determine where WUI codes and home retrofits should be prioritized
• Conducting community education relative to community-based wildfire risk reduction efforts
• Conducting training for design, construction and landscaping professionals related to the home ignition zone
• Interagency coordination for community-based wildfire risk reduction efforts
• Other related planning efforts such as evacuation and water supply planning

Coordinates community-based wildfire planning efforts with a range of local, state, federal and tribal agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management, fire districts and fire management agencies, city planning and development services, county public works, etc. Assists with grant acquisition and management. Prepares and oversees community planning and/or development review projects, such as subdivision and rezoning applications.  Participates in the general administration of community planning and development programs. Acts as team leader on specific projects. Develops specialized skills in selected areas of community planning and development review and provides information and advice to County Officials, PDS staff, other county and city departments, and the general public.   Issues procedural information to the public, offers interpretations of plans and regulations; works toward resolution of conflicts. Represents PDS as an expert in selected areas of community planning and development including attending meetings, participation in community task forces and making oral or written presentations. Stays informed of local, state and federal legislation and best practices in community planning and development. Prepares ordinances, regulations, resolutions and plans for review and approval by appropriate governing authorities. Evaluates complex building and development permit applications and conducts inspections and code compliance. Investigates and resolves violations of County land use and development regulations. Directs and conducts field investigations and research to compile data for community planning and development. Develops project narratives, analyses and reports; coordinates with GIS personnel to develop and access maps and other supporting information; interfaces directly with the public, communicating complex and technical information. Retrieves data in the form of reports using GIS and database programming capabilities; provides maintenance of the current planning database. Provides staff support to governing bodies and citizen boards as directed, including making presentations, scheduling, preparing agendas, preparing meeting sites and materials, and answering inquiries from members. Participates in the development of department work plans and scheduling.Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree. Degrees best suited for this position include planning, urban studies, environmental science, and geography. 
• Four years additional, related experience may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree. 
• Requires three years of planning experience or comparable experience involving permitting, technical review, report writing, wildfire risk reduction efforts for homes and neighborhoods, community development, etc. 
• Experience in wildfire risk reduction and policy for homes and communities or community risk reduction related to other natural hazards is preferred.

Other Qualifications

The work requires the ability to walk over rough, uneven terrain and travel to remote work sites and meetings.  May require attending meetings before or after normal work hours.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in a scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!
Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region. 
Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.