Specialist, Natural Areas (Grassland Health) (Finance)
POSITION TITLE: Specialist, Natural Areas (Grassland Health) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8130
DEPARTMENT: Natural Areas
LOCATION: NIX SITE OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $51,933.00 - 86,553.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $60,000.00 - 74,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 6/29/2025.
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
This position works under general supervision of the Adaptive Management Team's senior supervisor to implement the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Ecological Stewardship Team's conservation and management plans, policies, projects, and practices at a professional level. The position delivers professional fieldwork (~40 - 70%), reporting/communication (~15 - 20%), and research (~10 - 15%) focused on improving ecological health and supporting all chartered land uses and natural areas purposes across all Fort Collins natural area properties (currently 52).
The position provides practical knowledge in ecology and grassland/rangeland management to help develop broad strategies, collect and analyze data, and resolve natural resource management issues. This position will utilize a background in soil, plant, and/or animal interactions to better understand local grassland system ecology, consult with partners and collaborators, and provide technical assistance to support management designed to enhance native biodiversity and ecological function/resilience on natural areas properties.
Primary grassland health questions the successful candidate may work to inform (depending upon candidate's background/knowledge/interests) include: (1) determining appropriate form (e.g., type of livestock), timing, and intensity of grazing on natural areas properties; (2) monitoring soil health metrics (3) providing recommendations for improving soil health, and (4) assisting in the monitoring and scientific evaluation of various restoration efforts, including grazing, seeding, planting, and non-native species management.
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.
- Develops, supports, and implements work plans related to natural resource management, water quality monitoring or soil quality monitoring and assessment.
- Leads the collection of scientifically valid samples and measurements related to soil condition, water quality, vegetation, or wildlife to support management decisions.
- Provides subject matter expertise to planning processes, other City departments, and residents.
- Compiles and manages scientific data in computer databases; updates files and generates database reports, as necessary.
- Ensures all necessary quality assurance and quality control practices are followed and the associated records are maintained.
- Performs data analysis and data summary tasks, including production of summary tables, summary statistics, and graphs.
- Prepares presentations and/or written content for variety of reports, including annual operating reports, customer correspondence, technical memoranda, and field summaries.
- Provides general oversight of project volunteers, technicians and/or contractors, including training on project-related best management and safety practices.
- Prepares, coordinates, and oversees project-based requests for proposals for professional services related to monitoring and/or natural resource management.
- Assists with the preparation and submittal of permit applications and/or provide reporting information for a variety of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
- Builds effective alliances with other department service areas, city departments, local and public interest groups; coordinate with appropriate agencies and partners to ensure timelines, regulatory requirements, public process requirements, and budgetary constraints are met.
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.
- Proficiency with standard office computer software and hardware, ability to use data and information management systems and to perform statistical analysis of data.
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal environmental regulations.
- Knowledge of approved methods for the collection and analysis of environmental samples and applicable safety practices.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of quality assurance and quality control for laboratory analyses and/or field sampling designs.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers, other city staff and outside agencies.
- Physical ability and willingness to work in adverse weather and field conditions.
- .Ability to prepare effective written reports, and to work and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including the ability to deal courteously with public and land users.
- Experience with application of principles of ecology including ecological field studies, data collection, and management
MinimumPreferredCollege degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Environmental Science or other natural resource management related field from an accredited college or university
Experience Requirements
- Minimum of two years of work experience in field research (implementation, data collection), implementing natural resource management strategies based on research and best available practices, and preparing and presenting environmental education program, or any 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
- Valid Colorado driver's license., Colorado Pesticide Applicator's License may be required for some positions.
Specialist, Natural Areas
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.Job Summary
This position works under general supervision of the Adaptive Management Team's senior supervisor to implement the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Ecological Stewardship Team's conservation and management plans, policies, projects, and practices at a professional level. The position delivers professional fieldwork (~40 - 70%), reporting/communication (~15 - 20%), and research (~10 - 15%) focused on improving ecological health and supporting all chartered land uses and natural areas purposes across all Fort Collins natural area properties (currently 52).
The position provides practical knowledge in ecology and grassland/rangeland management to help develop broad strategies, collect and analyze data, and resolve natural resource management issues. This position will utilize a background in soil, plant, and/or animal interactions to better understand local grassland system ecology, consult with partners and collaborators, and provide technical assistance to support management designed to enhance native biodiversity and ecological function/resilience on natural areas properties.
Primary grassland health questions the successful candidate may work to inform (depending upon candidate's background/knowledge/interests) include: (1) determining appropriate form (e.g., type of livestock), timing, and intensity of grazing on natural areas properties; (2) monitoring soil health metrics (3) providing recommendations for improving soil health, and (4) assisting in the monitoring and scientific evaluation of various restoration efforts, including grazing, seeding, planting, and non-native species management.
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.
Develops, supports, and implements work plans related to natural resource management, water quality monitoring or soil quality monitoring and assessment.Leads the collection of scientifically valid samples and measurements related to soil condition, water quality, vegetation, or wildlife to support management decisions.Provides subject matter expertise to planning processes, other City departments, and residents.Compiles and manages scientific data in computer databases; updates files and generates database reports, as necessary.Ensures all necessary quality assurance and quality control practices are followed and the associated records are maintained.Performs data analysis and data summary tasks, including production of summary tables, summary statistics, and graphs.Prepares presentations and/or written content for variety of reports, including annual operating reports, customer correspondence, technical memoranda, and field summaries.Provides general oversight of project volunteers, technicians and/or contractors, including training on project-related best management and safety practices.Prepares, coordinates, and oversees project-based requests for proposals for professional services related to monitoring and/or natural resource management.Assists with the preparation and submittal of permit applications and/or provide reporting information for a variety of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.Builds effective alliances with other department service areas, city departments, local and public interest groups; coordinate with appropriate agencies and partners to ensure timelines, regulatory requirements, public process requirements, and budgetary constraints are met.
Management Responsibilities
No
