What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr Planner, Urban Forestry position at City of Fort Collins?
POSITION TITLE: Sr Planner, Urban Forestry (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8012
DEPARTMENT: Parks
LOCATION: PARKS MAINTENANCE SHOP
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $67,061.00 - 111,768.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $83,000.00 - 102,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/17/2025.
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?
Job Summary
The Senior Planner for Urban Forestry is a key role focused on advancing the vision for urban forest growth and enhancing community resilience through the implementation of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan. This position is responsible for conducting in-depth research and analysis on urban forestry challenges, developing policies to increase and protect the urban canopy, and ensuring a balanced approach to urban development, prioritizing tree preservation. The Senior Planner works on both short- and long-term strategic initiatives to mitigate heat, improve climate resilience, and foster equitable access to green spaces for all community members.
In this role, the Senior Planner will lead and manage city-wide, interdisciplinary projects aimed at expanding urban forestry efforts, while also pursuing grant funding to support additional climate initiatives. They will serve as a key advisor on urban forestry issues to various city departments, boards, commissions, and City Council. Public outreach and education are also vital components of the role, with the planner helping to engage the community and raise awareness about the importance of trees in urban spaces.
The Senior Planner will also oversee the management of project budgets, ensuring costs remain within established limits, and provide leadership and mentorship to classified and temporary staff. They will work collaboratively with other departments and agencies, serving on teams dedicated to urban forest management and related planning efforts. Additionally, this position involves hands-on management of grant opportunities from start to finish, along with evaluating development plans and agreements to help improve tree preservation and protection policy. Hybrid workspaces are an option, with a minimum of three days per week in person.
To be successful in this role, candidates must possess a deep knowledge of urban forestry, environmental science, urban ecology, natural resource management, and/or landscape architecture, with strong skills in project management, research, and public engagement. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity, as well as the ability to obtain an ISA Certified Arborist certification. A valid Driver's License is required. Advanced qualifications, such as a Colorado-licensed Landscape Architect, or an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification from the American Planning Association are preferred but not required.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Fort Collins's urban forest, ensuring that our community's trees thrive for generations and support the overall health, sustainability, and resilience of the community.
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.
Yes
City Competencies
Required Qualifications
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in: Forestry, Urban Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Landscape Architecture or related field from an accredited college or university
Master's Degree in Forestry
Experience Requirements
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
Sr Planner, Urban Forestry
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.
REQUISITION #: req8012
DEPARTMENT: Parks
LOCATION: PARKS MAINTENANCE SHOP
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $67,061.00 - 111,768.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $83,000.00 - 102,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/17/2025.
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
Job Summary
The Senior Planner for Urban Forestry is a key role focused on advancing the vision for urban forest growth and enhancing community resilience through the implementation of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan. This position is responsible for conducting in-depth research and analysis on urban forestry challenges, developing policies to increase and protect the urban canopy, and ensuring a balanced approach to urban development, prioritizing tree preservation. The Senior Planner works on both short- and long-term strategic initiatives to mitigate heat, improve climate resilience, and foster equitable access to green spaces for all community members.
In this role, the Senior Planner will lead and manage city-wide, interdisciplinary projects aimed at expanding urban forestry efforts, while also pursuing grant funding to support additional climate initiatives. They will serve as a key advisor on urban forestry issues to various city departments, boards, commissions, and City Council. Public outreach and education are also vital components of the role, with the planner helping to engage the community and raise awareness about the importance of trees in urban spaces.
The Senior Planner will also oversee the management of project budgets, ensuring costs remain within established limits, and provide leadership and mentorship to classified and temporary staff. They will work collaboratively with other departments and agencies, serving on teams dedicated to urban forest management and related planning efforts. Additionally, this position involves hands-on management of grant opportunities from start to finish, along with evaluating development plans and agreements to help improve tree preservation and protection policy. Hybrid workspaces are an option, with a minimum of three days per week in person.
To be successful in this role, candidates must possess a deep knowledge of urban forestry, environmental science, urban ecology, natural resource management, and/or landscape architecture, with strong skills in project management, research, and public engagement. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity, as well as the ability to obtain an ISA Certified Arborist certification. A valid Driver's License is required. Advanced qualifications, such as a Colorado-licensed Landscape Architect, or an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification from the American Planning Association are preferred but not required.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Fort Collins's urban forest, ensuring that our community's trees thrive for generations and support the overall health, sustainability, and resilience of the community.
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.
- Helps implement identified strategies from the Urban Forest Strategic Plan.
- Conducts complex research and analysis on urban forestry planning, design and development challenges.
- Participates in the development review process and leads team.
- Develops and manages complex interdisciplinary city-wide projects.
- Conducts public outreach, involvement and education activities.
- Performs start to finish management of grant opportunities.
- Makes presentations to and answers questions from boards and City Council as needed.
- Comments and advises on urban forestry issues to other City departments, citizens, boards & commissions, and City Council.
- Evaluates areas and implements strategies to maximize tree coverage through new planting, or preservation and protection of existing trees for future developments.
- Administers project budget, determines expenditures, and maintains records to keep costs within budget.
- Serves on task forces on interdepartmental and interagency teams related to urban forest management and planning.
- Supervises and oversees the work of classified and temporary employees.
Yes
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.
- Knowledge of local urban, wild/urban interface, forestry and natural resource issues.
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.
- Ability to read, write, interpret and manage grant opportunities
- Advanced math and statistical skills.
- Ability to read developmental plans and blueprints including grading plans.
- Environmental impact analysis skills as related to arboreal ecosystems or sites.
- Ability to develop proposals and bid specifications.
- Basic accounting and budgeting skills.
Required Qualifications
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in: Forestry, Urban Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Landscape Architecture or related field from an accredited college or university
Master's Degree in Forestry
Experience Requirements
- Five years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years of supervisory experience.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- ISA General Arborist Certification, or ability to obtain when prerequisites are met, Valid Colorado Driver License, Colorado-licensed Landscape Architect or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification from the American Planning Association are preferred
Sr Planner, Urban Forestry
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.
Salary : $67,061 - $111,768
