POSITION TITLE:  Planner, City (Environmental)   (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #:  req7806
DEPARTMENT:  Comm Dev & Neighborhood Svcs
LOCATION:  281 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:   $57,574.00 – 95,956.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:   $66,000.00 – 82,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS:  Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 9/27/2024.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
Wellness program, workout facilities
Employee/family onsite health clinic
Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
Collaborative work environment
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

Are you interested in re wilding urban spaces?  Do you enjoy ecological restoration, and finding creative solutions to mitigate the environmental impacts of architecture, transportation and other aspects of development projects?

The City of Fort Collins is looking for an experienced City Planner to review development proposals for consistency with policies related to environmental protection. The Planner is a full time, salaried position within the city with an anticipated hiring salary range of $66,000-$82,000 annually! Our team of environmental planners advances the City’s environmental health priorities through policy creation, the implementation of regulations, land use planning, and development review. The goal of the environmental planning team is to balance the needs of the development community and wildlife benefits. This position manages projects related to development applications and works through the site planning process of restore natural habitats and features impacted by development in order to promote more sustainable habitat corridors throughout the city.

This opportunity is ideal for a candidate who has 3-5 years related experience in urban planning, environmental management, landscape architecture, or related field, and knowledge of fundamentals of wetland ecology or natural resource management or horticulture, or landscape architecture. They will also have a knack for clearly interpreting complex scientific problems, technical challenges, and solutions to a non-technical audience. We are looking for someone with a passion for Environmental, Natural Area, Recreational and Cultural Resource Protections to bring their skills in ensuring a balanced approach for protecting the environment as development occurs and continuance of a safe and healthy environment with regards to air quality, water quality and natural resources.

In 2024, the Environmental Planner will have the opportunity to support priority projects like implementation of the Nature in the City Strategic Plan, ecological restoration planning on development projects, and climate adaptation planning. This position is a hybrid position that will have the option to work from home as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Provides project management by reviewing development applications for compliance with City regulations and coordinates additional review by other departments and/or agencies which includes logistical and technical support.
Serves as an information resource to elected officials, City boards and commissions, City staff, developers, civic groups and citizens regarding City policies, programs and procedures.
Prepares and coordinates plans, programs, strategies and policies for adoptions by the City Council; administers, implements and monitors plans, programs, strategies and policies for City Council.
Schedules and facilitates meetings with applicants, consultants, citizens and others.
Compiles and analyzes data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use and prepares or requisitions graphic and narrative reports on data.
Partners with local authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, and land planning and development specialists to devise and recommend arrangements of land and physical facilities for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses.
Delivers presentations and reports to citizens, developers, committees, City boards and commissions and the City Council.
Prepares staff reports, plans, policies and summaries for management, boards and commissions, and City Council.
Provides public information regarding development proposals, policies, regulations and City projects.
Assists in policy formation and code changes.
May oversee and direct the work of temporary employees.
May represent the department, service area, and City at meetings and conferences.
Apply codes, plan guidance, and development review process with accuracy and consistency
Lead neighborhood outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education efforts
Prepares and presents educational content and formal presentations for public meetings, website updates, and printed materials
Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of City codes, systems and plans related to urban planning.
Knowledge of city policies and regulations as they relate to projects.
Skilled in Project Management and group facilitation
Ability to read and understand site plans and related drawings and documents.
Ability to perform data and statistical analysis.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; and to convey technical information in a clear, concise manner to various audiences.
Ability to problem solve and exercise judgement with some supervision.
Skills in negotiating and mediating disagreements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, City Council, City Boards and Commissions, developers, regional partners, and the public.
Ability to attend meetings and perform other duties on evenings and weekends.
Knowledge of development review process may be required.
Knowledge of Federal and State laws and policies may be required.
Knowledge of research sources and techniques.
Ability to use development management system, ArcGIS, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
Required Qualifications

Minimum
Preferred
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Geography, Community Planning, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Natural Resource Management, Architecture, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Master’s Degree
Experience Requirements

3-5 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

AICP or other related credentials preferred. May be required to meet federal requirements for Historian, Architectural Historian or Architect for some positions.
The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Planner, City

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.