Employment
Current employment openings
Full-time employment
Forester - Ongoing recruitment
Forester – Ongoing Recruitment
Nurturing forests, empowering communities: Grow your forestry career with us.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking dynamic and service-oriented foresters to support forest management, wildfire mitigation, forest health and community forestry programs across Colorado.
Foresters play a key role in administering grant programs, providing expert technical assistance to landowners and communities, supporting government projects and delivering professional education and outreach. Ideal candidates have experience or interest in silviculture, forest health, pest management, wildfire mitigation and public service. Apply now!
Field office locations: Boulder, Fort Collins, Franktown, Frisco, Golden, Cañon City, La Veta, Rifle, Woodland Park, Alamosa, Durango, Gunnison, Montrose, Salida, Grand Junction, Granby, Steamboat Springs, Colorado State Forest (Gould)
Salary range: $50,000 – $55,000 (Based on experience)
Important application information (Read carefully!)
Due to our transition to a new application system (Workday), there are a few important items to note:
- Not all field office locations may appear correctly in the online posting.
- Our previous system allowed us to ask applicants directly which field office(s) they were interested in.
- Our new system does not currently allow us to capture location preferences through a supplemental question.
As positions become available, our hiring team will review applications from the open pool and reach out directly to candidates being considered for a specific location. If selected to move forward, you will be contacted with details about the hiring field office at that time.
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Generous leave package: Recharge with a comprehensive sick leave and annual leave benefit.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable retirement plan through PERA Colorado.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits per year through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for your children, partner and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MDT, June 30, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Forestry technician - Ongoing recruitment
Forestry Technician – Open pool
Join the Green Team as a forestry technician!
Join the Colorado State Forest Service and play a key role in forestry! Are you passionate about forestry and the great outdoors? The Colorado State Forest Service invites you to be part of our dedicated team as a forestry technician! Contribute to healthy forests and vibrant communities with us. Apply now!
Field office locations: Boulder, Fort Collins, Franktown, Frisco, Golden, Cañon City, La Veta, Rifle, Woodland Park, Alamosa, Durango, Gunnison, Montrose, Salida, Grand Junction, Granby, Steamboat Springs, Colorado State Forest (Gould)
Salary range: $45,000 – $50,000 (Based on experience)
Important application information (Read carefully!)
Due to our transition to a new application system (Workday), there are a few important items to note:
- Not all field office locations may appear correctly in the online posting.
- Our previous system allowed us to ask applicants directly which field office(s) they were interested in.
- Our new system does not currently allow us to capture location preferences through a supplemental question.
As positions become available, our hiring team will review applications from the open pool and reach out directly to candidates being considered for a specific location. If selected to move forward, you will be contacted with details about the hiring field office at that time.
Why choose the Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Generous leave package: Recharge with a comprehensive sick leave and annual leave benefit.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable retirement plan through PERA Colorado.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits per year through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for your children, partner and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MDT, June 30, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Forest Inventory and Analysis crew member
Forest Inventory and Analysis Crew Member
Join the Adventure: Forest Inventory and Analysis Crew Member Opportunity!
Embark on a thrilling journey as a Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Crew Member at the Colorado State Forest Service! You’ll play a key role in conducting forest inventory fieldwork across multiple states, contributing to a comprehensive inventory of forests in the United States. To learn more, click here!
Locations: Fort Collins, Canon City, Gunnison, Durango, Grand Junction, NW Colorado -Steamboat/Meeker
Salary: $48,000 – $51,000 (based on experience)
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct field measurements, including tree data, vegetation diversity, fuel loading, and more
- Ensure safe practices and advocate for productive team development
- Navigate diverse terrains using 4-wheel drive vehicles, UTVs, ATVs, horses, and boats
- Utilize GIS software, topographical maps, aerial photos, and GPS units for navigation
- Hike in varying conditions, carrying field gear at elevations from 3,500 to 14,000 feet
- Collaborate with USFS FIA liaisons to meet production and quality benchmarks
Adventure Awaits:
- Travel expenses paid for!
- Explore Colorado, Wyoming, and surrounding state’s public and private forests
- Assist in forest management, outreach, and administration when not in the field
- Analyze and present findings in diverse public settings
Why Choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity Wear Stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized wear.
- Work-Life Harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Premium Healthcare Benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Time-Off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave.
- Retirement Plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
- Assistance Program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional Development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
- Educational Empowerment: Receive 9 free education credits annually through CSU.
- Tuition Privileges for Family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for children, partner, and spouse.
- Community Leadership Initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
For full consideration, applications must be received no later than 11:59pm MT on May 15, 2026.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Grants associate
Nurturing forests. Empowering communities. Build your career in grants and finance with us.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking a detail-oriented and service-driven Grants Associate to join our Administrative Division. This role plays a critical part in supporting forest management, wildfire mitigation, and community forestry programs across Colorado by ensuring the financial integrity of our state-funded grants.
As part of a collaborative three-person Grants Team, the grants associate works closely with program specialists, managers, and foresters statewide to oversee post-award grant administration. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with financial data, ensuring compliance, and supporting meaningful, mission-driven work. Apply now!
What you’ll do
- Provide financial oversight for state-funded grant programs, ensuring compliance with CSU, CSFS, and funding requirements
- Review, authorize, and process grant reimbursements and payments with a high level of accuracy
- Manage financial transactions and reporting within university systems (Kuali)
- Reconcile accounts, identify discrepancies, and support resolution efforts
- Serve as a financial resource to staff across the agency, offering guidance and support
- Analyze financial data to improve processes and strengthen internal controls
What we’re looking for
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Communications, or a related field
- Minimum of 2 years of professional finance or accounting experience
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and financial data management
Location: Fort Collins, CO (Hybrid – up to 2 days remote)
Salary: $50,000 – $60,000 annually (based on experience)
Why choose the Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized executive wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Connectivity privilege: Stay seamlessly connected with either a cell phone allowance or a provided work cell.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Time-off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits annually through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for children, partner, and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
Applications must be received by April 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT for full consideration.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester - Gunnison
Lead project forester – Gunnison
Nurturing forests. Empowering communities. Lead the future of forestry in Colorado.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and service-driven Lead project forester to guide forestry programs and projects that support forest health, wildfire mitigation and resilient landscapes across Colorado. This position plays a critical leadership role in delivering high-impact forestry work while mentoring staff and building strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders.
Lead project foresters are responsible for overseeing program delivery, managing teams, and ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently and in alignment with CSFS and CSU standards. This is an exciting opportunity for professionals looking to take the next step in leadership while making a meaningful impact across Colorado’s forests and communities. Apply today!
Location: Gunnison
Salary range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead planning, prioritization, and implementation of forestry programs and projects (e.g., CWPPs, forest stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority, community forestry, outreach)
- Supervise and mentor foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal staff and interns
- Manage budgets, grants and contracts; track deliverables, timelines and compliance
- Support field office and area operations, including work planning and interagency coordination
- Build and maintain partnerships with landowners, agencies and community stakeholders
- Provide technical oversight of silvicultural prescriptions and vegetation management activities
- Coordinate across field offices to ensure consistent program delivery and resource sharing
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership and team management experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex forestry projects and programs
- Experience with budgeting, grants, contracts and compliance
- Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders
- Commitment to safety, quality work and excellent customer service
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology, or a related natural resource field
- Three years of professional forestry experience, including areas such as wildfire mitigation, forest management, silviculture, forest health or vegetation dynamics
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized executive wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Connectivity privilege: Stay seamlessly connected with either a cell phone allowance or a provided work cell.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Time-off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits annually through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for children, partner and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
Submit your resume and cover letter today! To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by May 4, 2026.
Join us in leading impactful forestry work that protects communities, supports landowners, and strengthens Colorado’s forests for generations to come.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester - Summit County
Lead project forester – Summit County
Nurturing forests. Empowering communities. Lead the future of forestry in Colorado.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and service-driven Lead project forester to guide forestry programs and projects that support forest health, wildfire mitigation and resilient landscapes across Colorado. This position plays a critical leadership role in delivering high-impact forestry work while mentoring staff and building strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders.
Lead project foresters are responsible for overseeing program delivery, managing teams and ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently and in alignment with CSFS and CSU standards. This is an exciting opportunity for professionals looking to take the next step in leadership while making a meaningful impact across Colorado’s forests and communities. Apply today!
Location: Summit County
Salary range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead planning, prioritization and implementation of forestry programs and projects (e.g., CWPPs, forest stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority, community forestry, outreach)
- Supervise and mentor foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal staff and interns
- Manage budgets, grants and contracts; track deliverables, timelines and compliance
- Support field office and area operations, including work planning and interagency coordination
- Build and maintain partnerships with landowners, agencies and community stakeholders
- Provide technical oversight of silvicultural prescriptions and vegetation management activities
- Coordinate across field offices to ensure consistent program delivery and resource sharing
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership and team management experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex forestry projects and programs
- Experience with budgeting, grants, contracts and compliance
- Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders
- Commitment to safety, quality work and excellent customer service
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or a related natural resource field
- Three years of professional forestry experience, including areas such as wildfire mitigation, forest management, silviculture, forest health or vegetation dynamics
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized executive wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Connectivity privilege: Stay seamlessly connected with either a cell phone allowance or a provided work cell.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Time-off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits annually through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for children, partner and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
Submit your resume and cover letter today! To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by May 26, 2026.
Join us in leading impactful forestry work that protects communities, supports landowners, and strengthens Colorado’s forests for generations to come.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Part-time employment
No part-time positions at this time.
Admin Assistant II
Admin Assistant II (Part-time)
Support Colorado’s forest stewardship – join us as a part-time administrative assistant in Woodland Park!
Do you enjoy helping others, keeping operations running smoothly, and supporting meaningful conservation work? The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking a part-time administrative assistant to support our Woodland Park Field Office and its important programs. Apply now!
Location: Woodland Park
Schedule: Part-time position
Salary: $1660.50 – $1992.50 Monthly (Part-time 20 hours per week)
In this role, you’ll…
- Serve as the friendly and professional first point of contact for walk-in visitors and phone calls
- Support staff working in forest management programs, seedling tree plantings and forest agriculture
- Assist with public relations, document creation/editing and data management
- Coordinate meeting logistics and take minutes as needed
- Process mail, payments and financial transactions
- Work with vendors—including coordinating services, processing payments and accepting payments
- Maintain and operate office equipment
- Provide administrative and accounting support as assigned by the Southeast Area Accounting Technician II and Area Manager
Why you’ll love this role
- Be part of a mission-driven team serving Colorado’s forests and communities
- Support field staff and conservation programs that make a real impact
- Enjoy a mix of administrative, customer service and behind-the-scenes support work
- Help keep a small, dedicated office running efficiently and effectively
Position details
- Part-time appointment as a Colorado State University employee
- Pre-employment background check required
- Primarily office-based with regular public interaction
- Standard business hours with occasional flexibility as needed
Why choose the Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Identity wear stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized wear.
- Work-life harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
- Premium healthcare benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Generous leave package: Recharge with a comprehensive sick leave and annual leave benefit.
- Retirement plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable retirement plan through PERA Colorado.
- Assistance program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
- Educational empowerment: Receive 5 education credits annually through CSU.
- Tuition privileges for family: Secure your family’s future with 50% off tuition for children, partner and spouse.
- Community leadership initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.
For full consideration, applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on December 29, 2025. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Seasonal employment
Seasonal forester - Montrose
POSITION TITLE: Seasonal forester – Montrose
LOCATION: Montrose Field Office
HOURLY PAY RATE: $18.00
FULL CONSIDERATION DATE: April 13, 2026
Minimum qualifications
- Pursuing or completed degree in forestry or related natural resources field
- Demonstrated career interest in forestry or natural resources fields
- Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
- Experience working as an effective team member and clear communicator
- Exhibits a positive attitude and willingness to learn
Preferred qualifications
- Good written and oral communications
- Field experience and/or exposure to forestry and natural resources management
- Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, and UTVs/ATVs in variable weather and road conditions
- Experience using forestry equipment (diameter tape, loggers tape, GPS, increment borer, etc.)
- Experience identifying trees, grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the western U.S.
- Experience navigating with maps, compass and GPS units
- Experience with forestry related software: Excel, ArcGIS Suite, Avenza, Forest Vegetation Simulator
Conditions of employment
- Funding may be available to help with costs associated with conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.
- Employee might be exposed to poisonous plants, biting stinging insects and wildlife during field work.
- Ability to hike long distances
- Ability to drive pickup trucks on rough roads
- Ability to work alone and in a team setting in the woods
- Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag and other personal items related to camping and hiking
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado for 1-3 day-long trips, potentially requiring stays in hotels or camping. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (GSA CONUS rates for Colorado)
Duties and responsibilities
- Assist other foresters with projects as needed
- Field work for Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) timber sales, including cruising and marking timber. The Montrose Field Office is laying out a large USFS timber sale in the Black Mesa area.
- Field work for urban riparian restoration projects in Montrose and Delta including site prep, project administration, reporting and closeout work
- Integrate timber cruise data into Forest Vegetation Simulator and create maps in ArcGIS Pro
- Attend site visits as needed, ranging in scale from a few acres to hundreds, covering all forest types and land ownerships in Southwestern Colorado
- Training opportunities may include but are not limited to First Aid/CPR Certification, qualified cruiser training, wildfire-ready home assessor training and more.
Application instructions
To apply, upload cover letter and resume/CV. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. 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.
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.
FIA seasonal forester
Position summary
This position will be autonomous, independent, and responsible for conducting forest inventory field work across multiple states. The FIA seasonal is responsible for performing a variety of recurring and complex duties in support of both CSFS and the United States Forest Service (USFS) FIA program.
Full Consideration Date
May 15, 2026
Brief Work Unit Description https://csfs.colostate.edu/
Essential Job Duties
- Responsible for measuring forest inventory variables related to percent ground cover, tree diameters, tree heights, tree vigor, tree status, and fire fuel loading
- Data collected from these inventories are based on tree measurements, forest health parameters, understory vegetation composition, habitat types, down dead woody material, silvicultural practices, natural disturbances, and land ownership
- Help llocate permanent field plots with road navigation, interpreting maps and aerial photos, determining scale of aerial photos, running compass lines, chaining/pacing distances, and using GPS equipment
Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Travel – Extensive overnight travel is required for a significant portion of every season for this position. Applicants must have the ability and willingness to travel for extended periods of time, work long and irregular hours, evenings, and weekends., Special Requirements/Other – Exposure to poisonous plants, biting stinging insects, and wildlife is common; Proficiency in road and backcountry navigation using topographical maps, aerial photos, and GPS units; Ability to hike carrying at least 45 pound packs, Valid Driver’s License – 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.
Supervision
This position does not supervise
Minimum Qualifications
- Ability to carry a 45+ pound pack while hiking in elevations ranging from 3,000 to 14,000 feet
- Familiar with identification of western tree and shrub species
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with topographic maps, compass, and aerial photos for navigation, interpreting cover types, identifying point locations, and navigating in wilderness situations
- Capable of using GPS units to navigate and collect field data
- Basic proficiency using spatial databases, remote sensing technology (ArcGIS software), and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Office 365)
- Demonstrated proficiency in plant identification and experience with Rocky Mountain flora Understanding and experienced with basic field forestry skills related to timber cruising
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including working with the public
- Ability to keep track of weekly work hours and work-related expenses
- Ability to work unusual schedules with frequent travel
- Experience implementing diverse ecological, forestry, and fuels field sampling methods, and knowledge of sampling equipment, procedures and QA/QC protocols
Salary Range
$23.00 per hour
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. 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.
Resume/CV
AmeriCorps positions
The CSFS has ongoing collaborations with AmeriCorps partners, which have allowed us to establish AmeriCorps positions throughout Colorado. These are full-time community service positions, and each AmeriCorps member is directly supervised by a CSFS employee. Members each receive a bi-weekly allowance and, upon completion of the service term, will receive an education award that can be used for current educational expenses or student loans. A full-service term requires 1,700 hours to be completed over the course of about a year.
Specific duties will vary by field office, and primary duties may include the following:
- Forest treatment monitoring
- Lay out and administer forest treatments such as timber sales or reducing hazardous fuels.
- Urban forestry, tree planting, forestry education and community engagement
- Expanding drone use within forestry
- Winter snow measurements
Memberships will vary in length from a summer field season to a full year, thereby increasing the potential for current and former students to seek these opportunities. Anticipated start time is early February for full-time memberships and late May for quarter-time (3-4 months) members.
NOTE: Apply as soon as possible, and do not wait until the end of the application period. These positions will be filled using rolling applications.
The CSFS is seeking early-career natural resource professionals with backgrounds in biology, forestry, natural resources, human dimensions, ecology and other related disciplines. For full-time positions, preferred candidates have recently graduated and are hungry to contribute to the management of private and public lands across Colorado. Preferred quarter-time applicants are current students looking for summer opportunities that will benefit their educational journey. Applicants should be prepared to provide a cover letter, resume and references.
Minimum requirements for all AmeriCorps positions
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Citizen, national or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
- Pass a criminal background check
Contact Kristen Switzer for more information.
Internships
The CSFS offers paid undergraduate internship opportunities each summer that run from May to August. The Warner College of Natural Resources Dean’s Office at Colorado State University has partnered with the CSFS to fund certain internship opportunities, which are only available to WCNR students. All other internships are available to all Colorado undergraduate students.
The application period for 2026 internships closed Feb. 13, 2026. Contact Kristen Switzer for more information about CSFS internships.
Job shadowing
The CSFS has opportunities for high school and college students to participate in job shadowing our employees. Such opportunities vary each summer, but involve spending a day with a professional observing their work and learning about their responsibilities firsthand. Positions within the CSFS that may be available to shadow include the following:
- Associate director
- Communications specialist
- Contracts and agreements manager
- Education specialist
- Experiential learning specialist
- Forest carbon specialist
- Forest monitoring measurement specialist
- Forester
- Forestry technician
- GIS technician
- Nursery program specialist
- Watershed Coordinator
Contact Kristen Switzer with questions.
Job shadowing directory
| Employee name | Job title | Location | Shadowing topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Wagner | Forester | Alamosa |
|
| Audrey Miles-Cherney | Upper South Platte Partnership watershed coordinator | Broomfield, Golden, Franktown, Colorado Springs, Woodland Park |
|
| James Lucero | Associate director of policy and legislative affairs | Denver |
|
| Andrew Clements | Forest Inventory and Analysis supervisory forester | Durango |
|
| Josh Braun | Forester | Durango |
|
| Amanda West Fordham | Associate director of science and data | Fort Collins |
|
| Cameron Taylor | Nursery program specialist | Fort Collins |
|
| Danielle Ardrey | Conservation and youth education specialist | Fort Collins |
|
| Katie Rose Levin | Forest legacy program specialist | Denver, statewide |
|
| Kristen Switzer | Experiential learning specialist | Fort Collins |
|
| Luke Dittrich | Lead project forester | Fort Collins |
|
| Max Erickson | Supervisory forester | Fort Collins |
|
| Nic Kotlinski | Geospatial data and analysis program manager | Fort Collins |
|
| Rachel Richardson | Contracts and agreements manager | Fort Collins |
|
| Sarah Osborne | Supervisory GIS specialist | Fort Collins |
|
| Tori Hunter | Forest monitoring measurement specialist | Fort Collins, statewide fieldwork |
|
| Weston Toll | Watershed program specialist | Fort Collins |
|
| Maegan Aldous | Forester | Golden |
|
| Mitch Dahlke | Forester | Gunnison |
|
| Dylan Eimer | Forester | Gunnison |
|
| Ashley Prentice | Forest carbon specialist | Gunnison |
|
| Lauren Lomonoco | Forester | Montrose |
|
| Matthew Mastalir | Forester | Rifle |
|
| Pete Albrecht | Lead forester | Leadville |
|
| Francisco Murphy-Garcia | Lead project forester | Summit County |
|
| Eric Gehrke | Forester | Woodland Park |
|
| Griffin Payne | Forestry technician | Woodland Park |
|
| Michael Till | Supervisory forester | Woodland Park |
|
About the CSFS
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. In addition to our state office on the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, the CSFS maintains 18 field offices throughout Colorado. Our professional staff offer Colorado residents an easily accessible source of technical forestry assistance and educational outreach.
Together with other natural resource organizations, CSFS provides comprehensive support for the care of our natural environment. This exchange of technical assistance and information among cooperating organizations ensures the commitment to a common goal — future forests that will provide benefits for present and future generations.
Our staff include
- Foresters
- Staff foresters and other support staff
- Administrative staff
- Seasonal foresters and internships
Contact information
-
- Questions about verification of employment for a current CSFS employee: CSU Human Resources
- Information about careers in forestry: Holly Leary