Senior Environmental Planner

POSITION TITLE:  Senior Environmental Planner
REQUISITION #:  req5589
DEPARTMENT:  Comm Dev & Neighborhood Svcs
LOCATION:  281 OFFICE BLDG (Hybrid Schedules Available)
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:   $62,272.00 - 103,787.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANTICIPATED HIRING ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:   $85,000.00 - 95,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS:  Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 8/14/2022.

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, and sick
• 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 
• Personal & professional learning opportunities including supervisory and leadership development; plus career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

Job Summary

The Senior Environmental Planner leads a team of environmental planners in the Community Development & Neighborhood Services Department. The team reviews all development plans for compliance with local environmental regulations; leads the creation and implementation of new environmental codes and policies; inspects development site to support ecological restoration; and partners with other departments to implement the Nature in the City Strategic Plan, Our Climate Future Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and other adopted plans and policies.

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.

• Recommends governmental measures affecting land use, environmental resources, public utilities, community facilities, historic preservation, housing and transportation to control and guide community development and renewal.
• Manages projects 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.
• Delivers presentations and reports to members of the public, developers, City boards and commissions, committees, and the City Council.
• Schedules and facilitates meetings with applicants, consultants, community members and others as necessary.
• Leads a team of planning staff. Provides overview and guidance of the work done by other staff and oversees special programs within the department.
• Leads projects and is responsible for final product timelines.
• Prepares staff reports, plans, policies and summaries for management, boards and commission, and City Council consideration.
• Assists in policy formation and code changes.
• Provides public information regarding development proposals, policies, regulations and City projects.
• Collaborates with other City departments to create and implement plans, policies and regulations with a variety of focus areas.
• Partners with community members, federal, state and local authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, land planning and development specialists and community partners to devise and recommend arrangements and strategies that meet code requirements and policy objects and reflect current community values and priorities.
• Prepares plans, strategies, and policies for adoption by the City Council.
• Responsible for researching existing conditions and industry best practices. May compile and analyze data on historical, economic, environmental, social, and physical factors affecting resources and prepare or requisitions graphic and narrative reports on data.

Management Responsibilities

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.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal and State laws and policies.
• Working knowledge of development review, long range planning, historic preservation, environmental planning and other processes may be required.
• Extensive presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform complex statistical analysis.
• Ability to operate word processing, graphics, and other software packages.
• Ability to prepare bid specifications and negotiate contracts.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, City Council, City Boards and Commissions, developers, and the public.
• Ability to manage a heavy workload, organize files, and update management tracking system.
• Ability to attend meetings and perform other duties on evenings and weekends.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
• Ability to problem solve and exercise independent judgement with little supervision.
• Working knowledge of City policies and regulations as the relate to projects.
• Knowledge of Planning Law and recent court cases related to planning issues.
• Ability to read and understand site plans and related drawings and documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and ability to convey technical information in a clear, concise manner to various audiences.

Required Education

Experience Requirements

• 5 or more 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.