Entry Level Aig Wildfire Protection Unit Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job DescriptionPosition Summary:

The Colorado State Forest Service accepts applications on an ongoing basis from individuals who are interested in obtaining full or part-time, Forester positions to lead and serve as the representative for one or more of CSFS programs. Forester positions will be hired from this general pool announcement periodically dependent on funding and work needs. In your application materials, please provide a list of any relevant experience or coursework relevant to the program areas listed below.

Under the supervision of a Supervisory Forester, the Forester position will be the lead and serve as the representative for one or more of the following program areas:

• Forest management

• Forest agriculture

• Forest stewardship planning

• Urban and community forestry

• Wildfire mitigation & fuels treatment

• State trust land forest management

• Insect and disease

• Seasonal crew hiring and oversight

• Firewise

• Special projects as assigned

• Community Wildfire Protection Plans

• Grant program management

• Outreach & education programs

• State parks forest management

• Pile burning on state lands

• Community/HOA assistance

• Federal, state, and local government forest management projects

Grant programs this position will administer include but are not limited to: Colorado Forest Restoration, State & Private Forestry, State Fire Assistance, Community Assistance Funding on Adjacent Lands, and other State and Federal grants.

These positions will provide professional, science-based assistance to local landowners regarding forest health (insects, disease, and wildfire mitigation), and prepare program-related reports. In addition, these positions will also provide assistance to other staff in additional program areas including: Federal land forest management through the Good Neighbor Authority and facilities maintenance.

At times, these positions will develop service agreements with landowners by creating scopes of work, assessing project budgets, resources, and personnel, deciding the technical requirements needed for the agreement, administration of science-based forest management activities and obtaining appropriate signatures. These positions will lead project work teams, train and mentor staff members, develop and manage program and project budgets up to $250,000, create detailed work plans, serve as acting Supervisory Forester as assigned, and participate on agency committees. These positions must have a thorough knowledge of silviculture, best management practices, insect and disease identification, pest management, wildfire mitigation and basic wildland fire suppression.

These positions are expected to provide professional services, education and outreach to landowners and cooperators/partners through written and verbal communication. Utilizing feedback from relevant sources to evaluate options and implement solutions is also critical to this position.

Full Consideration Date: June 30, 2026Brief Work Unit Description: Colorado State Forest Service | Colorado State UniversitySalary Range: $50,000 - $55,000Essential Job Duties:

Lead variousCSFSprograms, from forest management to wildfire mitigation. Administer grant programs, provide expert assistance on forest health, and contribute to government projects.

Conditions of Employment:

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Supervision:

This position may occasionally be asked to oversee one to two seasonal foresters.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree (or greater) in forestry, another natural resource program or related degree will be considered.

• A minimum of two years' professional forestry experience.

• Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States before the employment start date; Colorado State Forest Service will not sponsor a visa for this position

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience giving public presentations.

• Committed to quality, demonstrated excellent customer service ethic, professionalism and safety.

• Demonstrated experience with participation on teams, committees and other special assignments, as well as the ability to work independently, be a self-starter with strong negotiation skills.

• Experience with contracts, agreements, and grant management.

• Program and/or project management experience.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficient with ArcGIS data management, capable of using ArcMap compatibleGIS/GPSunits to collect field data and ability to manipulate data in ArcMap.

• Experience in United States forest management techniques in the following areas: silviculture; harvesting systems; forest management planning; wildfire hazard mitigation; wildfire suppression; prescribed fire; forest insect and disease detection, prevention, and suppression; urban and community forestry; windbreaks; outreach and education.

• Basic field forestry experience (cruising, prescription development, timber marking, timber sale and/or contract administration).

• Demonstrated skills in writing forest management plans, timber sale layout and administration, and budget preparation and administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, special communities among potential target and constituent populations.

Application Instructions:

Please submit a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter address how you meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications. Also address what field offices you are applying for. Here are a list of our field office locations:

Boulder, Fort Collins, Franktown, Frisco, Golden, Canon City, La Veta, Rifle, Woodland Park, Alamosa, Durango, Gunnison, Montrose, Salida, Grand Junction, Granby, Steamboat Springs, Colorado State Forest (Gould).

*This is an open pool - your application will be considered for future positions when opportunities arise in the location(s) you are interested in!

This is an open pool posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted if a suitable opportunity becomes available. This pool will expire on June 30, 2026. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.