Fire Science Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Overview
The Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI), housed in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University, seeks a full-time Research Manager (Researcher Senior) to lead and expand a diverse portfolio of applied research and monitoring projects. These efforts support UFRI's mission to inform the management of healthy, fire-resilient, and climate-adapted forests and woodlands in the state and region.
This position conducts and manages research of local and regional significance and oversees multiple concurrent projects spanning forest and fire ecology, forest disturbances, fuels management, and post-treatment and post-fire monitoring.
Applicants should have extensive expertise and practical experience in forest and fire ecology, management, and monitoring. A demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, communicate, and disseminate field-based research is strongly desired. Successful candidates will also benefit from extensive on-the-ground experience in one or more of Utah's dominant forest types (e.g., dry conifer and mixed conifer forests, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and aspen).
For More Information
Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the UFRI Director and chair of the search committee, Larissa Yocom (larissa.yocom@usu.edu).
Responsibilities

• Collaboratively develop and manage a portfolio of pre- and post-treatment and post-fire research and monitoring projects in the state of Utah
• Maintain communication with UFRI leadership and external partners to identify needs and opportunities for UFRI engagement
• Collaborate with UFRI leadership and internal partners on research and proposal development for external funding
• Lead experimental design and development of field monitoring and analytical protocols
• Oversee collection, quality assurance/quality control, analysis, and archiving of ecological and social science datasets
• Collaborate in the preparation and dissemination of research findings to a wide range of partners, collaborators, and consumers through peer-reviewed journal articles; technical reports, syntheses, and white papers; data summaries; and applied communication products (fact sheets, "explainers," slide presentations, infographics, etc.)
• Supervise and mentor a cadre of research associates implementing research and monitoring activities, including field and laboratory research, spatial analysis, decision support, and technical writing
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and budgets to ensure successful completion of work
• Represent UFRI through presentations, outreach, and partner engagement
• Ensure compliance with university, state, and federal rules and regulations and maintain required records
• Perform other job-related duties as needed

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in forest ecology, forest science, or closely related field
• At least two years of professional experience in academic, government, or other applied research settings
• Expertise in forest and fire ecology and management in Interior West conifer forests

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the coproduction of forest and fire science
• Experience supervising staff or leading project teams
• Experience disseminating research to land managers and the public through presentations, written materials, and outreach activities
• Experience integrating research across stand, local, and regional scales
• A career-stage appropriate portfolio of publications (not including MDPI or Frontiers journals) that demonstrate the ability to work on a diversity of questions

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in forest and fire ecology, fuels, and vegetation management
  
  • Fuel characteristics and fire behavior
  • Vegetation treatments for fuel/hazard reduction
  • Forest regeneration and restoration
• Knowledge of monitoring methods for fuel loads, treatment effectiveness and longevity, and post-fire assessment
• Experience in designing and implementing ecological research across a multitude of scales
• Ability to maintain records and keep detailed reports
• Proficiency in data analysis and management (e.g., R, Python, GIS)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to lead teams and collaborate across organizations
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills

Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
2. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits
ADA
The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents will mostly be in indoor environments, such as an office space, event space, or public space, where they are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing). Responsibilities may also include occasional work outdoors, where incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.
College/Department Highlights
The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education, research, and outreach. We work across biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines. Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah.
With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers, the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the university's land-grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university, and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and students benefit from Utah's remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research, education, and outreach.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies' long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women's volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women's soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.
*updated 12/2025
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In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
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The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
matthew.pinner@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
cody.carmichael@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov
*updated 10/2025