City of Fort Collins Graduate Management Assistant Program#
The City of Fort Collins Graduate Management Assistant (GMA) program allows current Master of Public Administration students and recent graduates (as well as students and recent graduates from closely related fields) the opportunity to gain valuable career experience in a wide variety of areas of municipal operations. This position provides future municipal leaders with the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals in a community consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the country. The Management Assistant will have the opportunity to learn about the inner-workings of a full-service city.
The Management Assistant will be provided the opportunity to work on projects based in a variety of City departments, while maintaining a "home base" in the City Manager's Office. The Management Assistant will be involved in research, analytical work, and managing special projects. This position represents a full-time, one-year fellowship.
2025 Recruitment Process#
GMA applications are now open! Applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. MST on Monday, Feb. 24th. (Original deadline pushed back from 2/20/25). The position will start in the Summer of 2025. Please contact Max Valadez at mvaladez@fcgov.com with any questions.
All applicants must provide:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
To apply, please visit: https://www.fcgov.com/jobs/
Current Management Assistant#
Max Valadez serves as the current Graduate Management Assistant for the City of Fort Collins. He graduated with his Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia in the spring of 2024. Max also holds a BS in Agricultural Leadership & Development and a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from Texas A&M University. Hoping to bring a more human-centered and pragmatic approach to government, he has appreciated the guidance of City staff who share his care for improving the lives of all people in their community. Max has spent the early years of his professional career in roles within local and federal government. Notably, he was a Committee Intern for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, and an Inclusion Fellow for the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Throughout both experiences, Max has deepened his commitment to public service and developed the skills necessary to achieve positive change for his community. He will continue to pursue impactful work while serving the City of Fort Collins with gratitude and pride.
Previous Management Assistants#
| Year | Name | Organization | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023-24 |
Lachlan Woods |
Town of Erie, CO |
URA & Development Accounting Analyst |
|
2022-23 |
Megan "Meggs" Valliere |
City of Boulder, CO |
City Council Program Manager |
|
2021-22 |
DeAngelo Bowden |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Lead Environmental Specialist |
|
2019-21 |
Sierra Anderson |
King County, WA - Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget |
Executive Analyst |
|
2018-19 |
Joe Wimmer |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Utilities Finance Director |
|
2017-18 |
Alyssa Johnson |
Minnesota Department of Human Services |
Change Manager |
|
2016-17 |
Jackson Brockway |
City and County of Denver |
Capital Planning and Budget Manager |
|
2015-16 |
Tyler Marr |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Deputy City Manager |
|
2014-15 |
Travis Machalek |
Town of Estes Park, CO |
Town Administrator |
|
2013-14 |
Pam Davis |
City of Boulder, CO |
Assistant City Manager |
|
2012-13 |
Kelly Houghteling |
Town of Wellington, CO |
Deputy Town Administrator |
|
2011-12 |
Josh Jones |
U.S. Federal Government |
U.S. Federal Government Employee |
|
2002-03 |
Sam McFerran |
First Church (UCC) |
Minister of Faith Formation |
|
2000-01 |
Heather Sanchez |
City of Alamosa, CO |
City Manager |
|
1991-92 |
Stet Schanze |
Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
President |
|
1990-91 |
Kristin Epley |
Center of the American West at University of Colorado - Boulder |
Sustainability Project Manager |
|
1989-90 |
Jon Ruiz |
City of Eugene, OR |
City Manager (Retired) |
|
|
Steven VanderMeer |
Hometown Connections |
Senior Vice President, Planning and Marketing (Retired) |
|
1986-87 |
Julia Novak |
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) |
CEO/Executive Director (Incoming) |
|
|
Todd Vance |
Breakforth Counseling and Consulting LLC; Salem, VA |
Clinical Psychologist, Career Coach |
|
1985-86 |
Ann Turnquist |
Poudre Fire Authority |
Administrative Services Director (Retired) |
|
|
Mark Campbell |
Multnomah County, OR |
Chief Financial Officer (Retired) |
|
|
Don Gaeddert |
City of Larned, KS |
City Manager (Retired) |
|
1984-85 |
Jody Kole |
Grand Junction, CO Housing Authority |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Deborah "Debbie" Sagen |
Deborah Sagen & Associates |
Principal Coach & Consultant |
|
|
Susan "Sue" Loo |
City of Louisville, CO |
Retired City Councilmember |
|
1983-84 |
Wendy Williams |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Assistant City Manager & Community Services Director (Retired) |
|
|
Mark Rohloff |
City of Oshkosh, WI; McMahon Engineers/Architects |
City Manager (Retired); Public Safety & Municipal Management Division Manager |