Employment
Current Employment Openings
Full-Time Employment
We are investing in growing our team of foresters, and we have new openings! As of Jan. 23, 2024, we’re hiring in Cañon City and LaVeta. Coming soon we expect to hire in the following field offices: Granby, Summit/Eagle(2), Steamboat Springs and Durango. Apply in the Forester – Ongoing Recruitment – All 18 Field Offices.
Forester – Ongoing Recruitment
Nurturing Forests, Empowering Communities: Your Journey as a Forester Begins With Us!
Locations with vacancies: Golden and Franktown
Join the Colorado State Forest Service and play a key role in forestry! We’re seeking dynamic foresters to lead various CSFS programs, from forest management to wildfire mitigation. Administer grant programs, provide expert assistance on forest health and contribute to government projects. If you have a strong background in silviculture, pest management and wildfire mitigation and are passionate about professional service and education, join our team! 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: $50,000 – $55,000 (Based on Experience)
Why Choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:
- Boot Allowance: Receive a boot allowance every two years to ensure you’re equipped for the field.
- Identity Wear Stipend: Personalize your work wear with our identity wear stipend.
- Flexible Schedules: Enjoy work-life balance with flexible scheduling options.
- Cell Phone Allowance: Stay connected with a cell phone allowance or provided work cell.
- Excellent Healthcare Benefits: We prioritize your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Generous Leave: Earn 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave each year.
- Retirement Plan: Benefit from a 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
- Employee Assistance Program: Access well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Professional Development: Enhance your skills with access to professional training through CSU.
- Education Credits: Receive 9 hours of education credits per year through CSU.
- Tuition Discounts: Enjoy a 50% tuition discount for your children, partner and spouse.
- Moving Expense Allowance: We support your transition with a moving expense allowance.
- Paid Administrative Leave: Contribute to your community with paid administrative leave for volunteering.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MT, Sept. 4, 2024.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Forestry Technician – Ongoing Recruitment
The Colorado State Forest Service accepts applications on an ongoing basis from individuals who are interested in obtaining a full or part-time Forestry Technician position, to work within one or more CSFS programs. Forestry Technician positions will be hired from this general pool announcement periodically dependent on funding and work needs. These positions will be hired under temporary worker authorizations and may last up to 3 years. 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 or Forester, the Forestry Technician position will work to support and deliver CSFS services in one or more of the following program areas:
- Forest management
- Forest agriculture
- Forest stewardship planning
- Urban and community forestry
- Wildfire mitigation & fuels treatment
- Insect and disease
- Fire Wise & Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- Special projects as assigned
- Grant program management
- Outreach & education programs
- Pile burning on state lands
- Community/HOA assistance
- Federal, state and local government forest management projects
These positions will provide professional, science-based assistance to local landowners regarding forest health (insects, disease and wildfire mitigation), and prepare program-related reports and plans. In addition, these positions will also provide assistance to other staff in additional program areas including: Grants, Federal land forest management through the Good Neighbor Authority, State Land management and facilities maintenance.
At times, these positions will assist and 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 must have a basic knowledge of silviculture, Forestry 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 communications. Utilizing feedback from relevant sources to evaluate options and implement solutions is also critical to this position.
Forest Inventory & Analysis Crew Member
Locations Hiring: Fort Collins, Gunnison, Cañon City, Durango, Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs/Meeker/Rifle
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. Apply now.
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
- Use 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 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.
For full consideration, applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT on May 15, 2024.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Join Our Team as an Accounting Technician II
Are you ready to take your accounting skills to the next level? The Colorado State Forest Service is on the lookout for a talented individual to join our team as an Accounting Technician II.
Under the direct supervision of the Manager of Finance, this key team member will play a crucial role in our Administrative Division. As the primary point of contact for official functions and high-priority meetings, you’ll be at the heart of our organizational success. Apply now!
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing, conducting, and coordinating oversight for various functions, including reconciling, purchasing, and service agreements.
- Assisting in costing and maintenance of vehicles/equipment, travel arrangements, and Financial Systems document preparation.
- Providing stellar support services to our agency staff, ensuring proper and efficient budgetary operations.
- Monitoring and reconciling numerous accounts, recommending budget revisions when needed, and creating budget adjustments.
- Offering administrative process training and technical assistance to personnel in our field offices and units.
Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of technical accounting and/or bookkeeping experience.
Perks
- Flexible work arrangement (30 or 40 hours per week).
- Potential for a hybrid work schedule after a successful training period.
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.
- 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.
For full consideration, applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MT on February 8, 2024.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Ongoing recruitment postings are used to gather applications for multiple job openings in multiple parts of the state. They remain open, collecting applicants, on the CSU Jobs website for three, six or 12 months. At the end of this period, current applications are deactivated and applicants are invited to reapply to the next ongoing recruitment cycle if applicable.
Once an applicant has applied to an Ongoing Recruitment posting, their application materials will be reviewed every time a new vacancy becomes available. CSFS positions can and may be filled year-round. For open positions, applicants should mark the area(s) of Colorado where they’re willing to work.
If at any time you would like to update your information or remove yourself from the pool, please contact Tina Little at tina.little@colostate.edu or (970) 491-8662 so she can reactivate your application or remove you.
Internships
The CSFS partners with the Warner College of Natural Resources Dean’s Office at Colorado State University to provide paid summer internship opportunities to WCNR undergraduate students each year. The positions for summer 2024 run from May to August. The application period for 2024 internships is closed. The internship positions for Summer 2025 will likely open in November.
In 2023, the CSFS established a Career Path Program available to students who complete these internships. At the end of each summer, intern supervisors can recommend 2-5 student interns for guaranteed Forestry Technician positions at the CSFS upon completion of their four-year degrees. Contact Kristen Switzer for more information on CSFS internships and the Career Path Program.
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:
- Forester
- Forestry technician
- GIS technician
- Communications specialist
- Experiential learning specialist
- Watershed Coordinator
Contact Kristen Switzer for more information or fill out our Job Shadowing Request Form.
Part-Time Employment
There are no part-time employment opportunities available at this time.
Seasonal Employment
Seasonal Forester (2-3 positions)
Location: State Forest Field Office (Gould, CO)
Hourly Pay Rate: $17.50/hour (depending on experience) – dormitory-style housing and utilities provided
Employment Dates: Late May 2024 through August 2024 (start and end date may be variable)
Closing Date: Applications will be considered until all vacancies are filled, however materials should be received by Feb. 16, 2024, for full consideration.
Minimum Requirements
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date
- Pursuing or completed degree in forestry or related natural resources field
- Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate a manual transmission vehicle
- Ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles in variable weather and road conditions
- Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate chainsaws/misc. logging equipment, forestry equipment, and perform strenuous outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions
- Ability and willingness to work long hours with occasional evening and weekend duties (work based on a 40-hour work week)
- Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team
Conditions of Employment
- This position requires hiking and carrying field equipment most hours of the workday.
- Occasional camping will be required.
- The employee should be able to work in adverse weather conditions, steep/rough terrain, and with minimal supervision.
Preferred Experience
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written
- One season of field experience
- Experience in using Microsoft Suite, ArcGIS Suite, Avenza or GPS
Duties and Responsibilities
- Cruising and data collection for forest-wide inventory
- Scouting and treatment layout for projects focused on watershed protection and climate change
- Field support on Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change projects
- Chainsaw operation – thinning, firewood and defensible space work
- Assisting with timber sale layout – cruising, boundary delineation and marking
- Various GPS and GIS applications
- Assisting with assessment and treatment of insect and disease projects
- General labor – rock headers, fences, facility and equipment maintenance, construction projects, etc.
To Apply
Please send electronic versions of the application materials to CSFS_StateForest@mail.colostate.edu. Include Resume, cover letter and 3 professional references.
Contact information
Blair Rynearson
Colorado State Forest Service
59228 State Hwy 14
Walden, CO 80480
970-723-4505
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer. Colorado State University conducts background checks on all final candidates.
About 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 17 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
- Information about becoming a wildland firefighter