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 will open in the Spring of 2025. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1983-84 |
Wendy Williams |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Assistant City Manager |
|
|
Mark Rohloff |
City of Oshkosh, WI |
City Manager |
|
1984-85 |
Jody Kole |
Grand Junction, CO Housing Authority |
Chief Executive Officer Director |
|
|
Deborah Sagen |
Pikes Peak Community College |
Vice President Workforce Development |
|
|
Susan Loo |
City of Louisville, CO |
City Councilmember |
|
1985-86 |
Ann Turnquist |
Poudre Fire Authority |
Administrative Services Director |
|
|
Mark Campbell |
Multnomah County, OR |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Don Gaeddert |
City of Larned, KS |
Retired City Manager |
|
1986-87 |
Julia Novak |
Novak Consulting |
President |
|
|
Todd Vance |
BreakForth Counseling and Consulting; Salem, VA |
Clinical Psychologist |
|
1989-90 |
Jon Ruiz |
City of Eugene, OR |
City Manager |
|
|
Steve VanderMeer |
Hometown Connections |
Senior Vice President |
|
1990-91 |
Kristin Epley |
University of Colorado - Boulder |
Sustainability Project Manager |
|
1991-92 |
Stet Schanze |
Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
President |
|
2000-01 |
Heather Sanchez |
City of Alamosa, CO |
City Manager |
|
2002-03 |
Sam McFerran |
First Church (UCC) |
Minister of Faith Formation |
|
2011-12 |
Josh Jones |
U.S. Federal Government |
U.S. Federal Government Employee |
|
2012-13 |
Kelly Houghteling |
Town of Wellington, CO |
Deputy Town Administrator |
|
2013-14 |
Pam Davis |
City of Boulder, CO |
Assistant City Manager |
|
2014-15 |
Travis Machalek |
Town of Estes Park, CO |
Town Administrator |
|
2015-16 |
Tyler Marr |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Deputy City Manager |
|
2016-17 |
Jackson Brockway |
City and County of Denver |
Capital Planning and Budget Manager |
|
2017-18 |
Alyssa Johnson |
Minnesota Department of Human Services |
Change Management Coordinator |
|
2018-19 |
Joe Wimmer |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Senior Financial Analyst |
|
2019-21 |
Sierra Anderson |
City of Raleigh, NC |
Senior Budget and Management Services Analyst |
|
2021-22 |
DeAngelo Bowden |
City of Fort Collins, CO |
Lead Environmental Specialist |
|
2022-23 |
Megan "Meggs" Valliere |
City of Boulder, CO |
City Council Program Manager |
|
2023-24 |
Lachlan Woods |
Town of Erie, CO |
URA & Development Accounting Analyst |