Independent Contractor Forestry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Forestry Technician is an entrylevel, office and fieldbased role that supports CSFS programs and operations under the direction of a Supervisory Forester or Lead Project Forester. The position assists with planning and implementation of forestry projects and provides customer service to landowners, communities, and partners.

Work focuses on field execution (inventory, layout, marking, monitoring), basic project , and logistics. Appointments may be fulltime or parttime (openpool). Field work involves periodic travel and occasional irregular hours during peak seasons

This evergreen posting will remain open and continue collecting applications until December 31, 2026. Applicants who wish to be considered after this date must reapply.

$46,000 - $50,000

• Conduct field forestry tasks including inventories, boundary identification, cruising/marking, treatment layout, and monitoring to support forest management, stewardship, wildfire mitigation/fuels treatments, and urban & community forestry projects.

• Assist with grant and costshare program delivery (e.g., Colorado Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation, Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program, State & Private Forestry, State Fire Assistance, Community Assistance on Adjacent Lands) by preparing scopes/estimates, collecting documentation, and tracking progress.

• Support timber sale preparation and administration by assembling maps, assisting with prescriptions, preparing field notes, and coordinating with contractors under guidance.

• Provide customer service to landowners, HOAs, and community partners; participate in outreach events and educational activities; relay technical guidance from foresters.

• Maintain project records and reports; support purchasing, equipment logistics, and facility/yard organization for the field office.

• Participate in pile burning and prescribed fire on state lands as qualified and assigned; follow safety policies and procedures.

• Schedule and prioritize daily field tasks to meet safety and quality standards; identify issues and recommend adjustments to the project lead.

• Select appropriate field methods for measurements, marking, and layout within established prescriptions and guidance.

• Document contractor performance and field conditions; recommend acceptance of work within delegated limits and elevate nonroutine issues.

This position does not directly supervise, but may serve as a work lead for discrete tasks based on experience.

• Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Management or an Associate's Degree or Some College/Tech training in: Associates Degree in Forestry from an SAF accredited college or institution.

• Valid driver's license (Colorado or ability to obtain) and ability to meet CSU vehicle policy; willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours.

• Physical ability to hike long distances over steep terrain at high elevations (up to ~12,000 ft) while carrying 35+ lbs in varied weather.

• Foundational knowledge of forestry principles and field techniques; ability to follow prescriptions and technical guidance with attention to safety and quality.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and GIS/GPS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online or similar); effective communication and customer service skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; reliable organization and recordkeeping skills.

• Familiarity with forestry, natural resources, fire ecology, watershed science, ecology, or a closely related field through education, coursework, training, internship, seasonal employment, or related experience.

• Familiarity with field forestry practices such as forest inventory, boundary identification, cruising, timber marking, treatment layout, monitoring, and collecting field notes.

• Familiarity with Western U.S. forest ecosystems, basic silviculture concepts, forest health, wildfire mitigation, and the role of fire in forest ecology.

• Familiarity with GIS/GPS tools, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, mobile data collection applications, or similar mapping and field data systems.

• Familiarity, coursework, training, internship, or related experience supporting grants, cost-share programs, project documentation, estimates, contractor coordination, or project tracking.

• Experience communicating with landowners, community members, agency partners, contractors, students, or the public in a professional and customer-service-oriented manner.

• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality work, professionalism, teamwork, and reliable follow-through in field, office, academic, volunteer, internship, or employment settings.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position.

To help us better understand your location preferences during the screening process, in your cover letter, please identify the field office location(s) you are interested in working from by listing one or more of the following locations:

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)

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.

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.

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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.

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.