Spec, Regulatory Licensing

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid vacation & holidays

Retirement plan

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Employee assistance program

Life insurance & disability

Wellness program

Onsite health clinic

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Spec, Regulatory Licensing for the City Clerk's Office. This full-time exempt role manages regulatory licensing processes including marijuana, liquor, and tobacco licensing programs under state and local rules.

You'll coordinate licensing activities, advise on policy initiatives, and provide education to regulated businesses. The position requires a college degree and four years of public-service experience, with strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum Preferred College degree or equivalent work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, or related degree may be used on a year-for-year basis to meet the experience requirement.
• Four years of experience engaging with and providing services to the public in a municipal, county, state, or federal government agency OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Direct experience with liquor and/or marijuana licensing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create resources – including print materials, newsletters and virtual and in-person events to aid all applicants including social equity applicants in the development of their regulated businesses and in the management of their compliance efforts
• Advise on the development of new regulatory licensing policy initiatives that continue to protect public health, safety and welfare, while easing regulatory burdens on businesses and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive
• Provide education to the regulated business industry about city processes and requirements through the coordination and facilitation of cross-agency workshops and trainings; assist the regulated business community with navigating the processes with the City of Fort Collins to comply with the complex and continually evolving state rules and regulations in addition to local City of Fort Collins regulations (i.e. zoning, building, fire, public health, and licensing requirements)
• Serve as a central point of contact for regulated business licensees for specific location-based projects that require interaction with multiple City departments; ensure all involved departments are aware of the project and assist the industry stakeholders with the lawful implementation of the project
• Work with industry stakeholders to identify potential city requirements affecting regulated business licenses
• Review and efficiently process a high volume of licenses and permit applications for businesses including new requests and/or renewals.
• Aid the industry in establishing relationships, navigating systems, and identifying potential areas of concerns prior to enforcement action on marijuana/liquor related matters.
• Coordinate educational sessions and trainings for the CO Municipal Clerks Associations as well as other city staff that involved with regulated businesses.
• Collaborate with state and other municipal regulators to identify areas to partner to support regulated business licensees and public safety initiatives.
• Support the City Clerk in multiple responsibilities throughout the elections process by assisting during all the election phases and associated operations to ensure compliance.
• Provide ongoing database management, tracking, and forecasting while leveraging existing technology.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends to identify opportunities for improvement and implementation which position the City to respond to, influence, and/or lead outcomes.
• Provide customer service and performs a variety of administrative, technical, and professional duties for the City Clerk and City Manager’s offices.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, or related degree

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Spec, Regulatory Licensing (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8630
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk's Office
LOCATION: CITY HALL
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $55,764.00 - 92,940.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $64,000.00 - $73,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 10/8/2026 At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

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 Requirements

Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) –eligibleonthe 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 + companycontributions – after 6 month probation period andimmediate vesting
• Flexiblespending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSAor both
• EmployeeAssistance Program: counseling, legal,financialassistance
• 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
• Collaborativework environment

Job Summary

The Licensing Specialist in the City Clerk’s Office serves as a key subject matter expert and liaison for regulatory licensing, which includes marijuana, liquor, and the tobacco licensing program currently in development. This position facilitates the regulatory licensing process under the dual state and local licensing system and adapts practices to evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. The role requires a thorough understanding of federal, state, and municipal regulations governing regulated business activities subject to state and local licensing requirements within the City of Fort Collins. The Licensing Specialist assists with records administration, elections, and additional functions as directed by the City Clerk. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

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.

• Create resources – including print materials, newsletters and virtual and in-person events to aid all applicants including social equity applicants in the development of their regulated businesses and in the management of their compliance efforts
• Advise on the development of new regulatory licensing policy initiatives that continue to protect public health, safety and welfare, while easing regulatory burdens on businesses and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive
• Provide education to the regulated business industry about city processes and requirements through the coordination and facilitation of cross-agency workshops and trainings; assist the regulated business community with navigating the processes with the City of Fort Collins to comply with the complex and continually evolving state rules and regulations in addition to local City of Fort Collins regulations (i.e. zoning, building, fire, public health, and licensing requirements)
• Serve as a central point of contact for regulated business licensees for specific location-based projects that require interaction with multiple City departments; ensure all involved departments are aware of the project and assist the industry stakeholders with the lawful implementation of the project
• Work with industry stakeholders to identify potential city requirements affecting regulated business licenses
• Review and efficiently process a high volume of licenses and permit applications for businesses including new requests and/or renewals.
• Aid the industry in establishing relationships, navigating systems, and identifying potential areas of concerns prior to enforcement action on marijuana/liquor related matters.
• Coordinate educational sessions and trainings for the CO Municipal Clerks Associations as well as other city staff that involved with regulated businesses.
• Collaborate with state and other municipal regulators to identify areas to partner to support regulated business licensees and public safety initiatives.
• Support the City Clerk in multiple responsibilities throughout the elections process by assisting during all the election phases and associated operations to ensure compliance.
• Provide ongoing database management, tracking, and forecasting while leveraging existing technology.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends to identify opportunities for improvement and implementation which position the City to respond to, influence, and/or lead outcomes.
• Provide customer service and performs a variety of administrative, technical, and professional duties for the City Clerk and City Manager’s offices.

Management Responsibilities

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.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws relating to open meetings, open records and records retention.
• Ability to read and interpret the Colorado State Constitution, State Statutes, City Code, City Charter, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to use analysis, critical thinking and problem solving skills to evaluate complex issues and develop sound recommendations.
• Proficient in the use of technology, including word processing, database management, spreadsheet analysis, and presentation software, with the ability to quickly learn, implement, and optimize new digital tools and systems.
• Demonstrated financial and accounting skills for analysis and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, management, elected officials and the public to discuss issues, coordinate activities, provide guidance, and resolve problems.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and present ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
• High level of customer service skills with a focus on responsiveness, professionalism, and solution-oriented interactions.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Preferred College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, or related degree may be used on a year-for-year basis to meet the experience requirement.

Experience Requirements

Four years of experience engaging with and providing services to the public in a municipal, county, state, or federal government agency OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Direct experience with liquor and/or marijuana licensing preferred.

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 [phone] for assistance.

TheCity is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants andemployees.Employment decisions will comply with all applicable lawsprohibiting discrimination inemployment. The City does not toleratebehavior that results in the terms and conditions ofemployment beingadversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or anybehaviorthat violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee,the City is committedto providing a work environment that is free fromunlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination orharassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, nationalorigin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceivedsexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability,age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran statusor uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or anyother status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. Inaddition to the City’scommitment to equal opportunity employment, theCity strictly prohibits discrimination orretaliation against an employeewho raises any reasonable concern about workplace violationsofgovernmenthealth or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of Cityemployees orthe public, if the City controls the workplace conditionsgiving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.