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)
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. MST, Dec. 31, 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)
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. MST, Dec. 31, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester – Golden
Lead Project Forester – Golden
Nurturing Forests. Empowering Communities. Lead Forestry Projects That Make a Difference.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Project Forester to provide technical leadership and project oversight in support of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and sustainable forest stewardship across Colorado. Based in our Golden Field Office, this position plays a key role in delivering science-based forestry programs while serving as a leader, mentor, and trusted resource for landowners, communities, and partner agencies.
Working under the direction of the Supervisory Forester, the Lead Project Forester manages complex forestry projects from development through implementation, coordinates program delivery, and provides leadership to field staff. This position also assists with field office planning, budgeting, and operational priorities while helping ensure the highest level of service to our partners and communities.
If you are passionate about forestry, enjoy leading projects and people, and want to make a lasting impact on Colorado’s forests and communities, we encourage you to apply.
Location: Golden, CO
Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What You’ll Do:
- Lead and coordinate forestry projects and programs from development through implementation, ensuring successful outcomes and alignment with CSFS priorities
- Provide technical leadership and direction to Foresters and project teams working on complex forestry programs and activities
- Deliver science-based forest management services to federal, state, local, and private landowners and communities
- Assist with field office priorities, annual work planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and long-range planning
- Represent CSFS in collaborative groups, meetings, public events, and partner engagements
- Serve as a trusted resource for customers by communicating information about CSFS programs and services
- Support forest health, wildfire mitigation, community forestry, fuels reduction, and forest stewardship initiatives
- Stay current on forestry best practices and ensure staff have the technical information needed to successfully implement projects and programs
- Provide exceptional customer service and foster strong relationships with landowners, partners, and stakeholders
- Serve as Acting Supervisory Forester as needed
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide projects, mentor staff, and coordinate diverse stakeholders
- Experience managing forestry programs, projects, budgets, contracts, grants, or agreements
- Knowledge of forest management, silviculture, wildfire mitigation, forest health, and vegetation management principles
- Ability to communicate effectively with landowners, communities, agency partners, and elected officials
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Commitment to excellent customer service, collaboration, and science-based decision-making
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Forestry, Natural Resources, or a closely related field
- Three (3) years of professional forestry experience, including experience in areas such as forest management, silviculture, forest ecology, vegetation dynamics, urban and community forestry, wildfire management, or fuels mitigation
Why Choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests—we 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.
- Employee 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 July 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester – Golden (2 year term)
Lead Project Forester – Golden (2 year term)
Build resilient forests. Strengthen communities. Lead meaningful forestry projects across Colorado.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead project forester to provide technical leadership and oversee forestry projects that improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk and support sustainable forest stewardship throughout Colorado. Based in our Golden Field Office, this position plays a critical role in delivering high-impact forestry programs while leading staff, building partnerships and supporting landowners and communities.
This is a two-year term position funded to address immediate forestry priorities, including mountain pine beetle response coordination and proactive forest stewardship. This is not a permanent position, though there is the possibility of an extension based on future funding availability.
If you are passionate about forestry, enjoy leading projects and mentoring others, and want to make a meaningful impact on Colorado’s forests and communities, we encourage you to apply.
Location: Golden
Appointment: Two-year term position (with the possibility of extension based on available funding)
Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead the planning, prioritization and implementation of forestry programs and projects, including Community Wildfire Protection Plan implementation, forest stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority projects, urban and community forestry, and outreach efforts.
- Supervise and mentor foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal employees and student interns while promoting a safe, collaborative and high-performing work environment.
- Manage project budgets, grants, contracts, timelines, deliverables and compliance requirements to ensure successful program delivery.
- Support field office operations by assisting with annual work planning, long-range priorities, interagency coordination and serving as Acting Supervisory Forester when assigned.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with landowners, local governments, state and federal agencies, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders.
- Provide technical oversight for silvicultural prescriptions, vegetation management activities and forest management recommendations using current science and CSFS standards.
- Coordinate with other CSFS field offices to share resources, align priorities and ensure consistent program delivery across the agency.
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership and team management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex forestry projects and programs from planning through implementation.
- Experience managing budgets, grants, contracts and project deliverables.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse partners and stakeholders.
- A commitment to science-based forest management, exceptional customer service and collaborative problem-solving.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in forestry, wildlife biology/management, fire ecology or a closely related natural resource field.
- Three years of professional forestry experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Wildfire management and fuels mitigation
- Forest management
- Forest ecology
- Silviculture
- Vegetation dynamics
- Dendrology
- Forest measurements
- Wildlife biology
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests — we 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.
- Employee 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 July 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Urban and community forestry program specialist
Urban and community forestry program specialist
Caring for urban forests. Engaging communities. Working with partners.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking a collaborative Urban and community forestry program specialist to provide community forestry assistance and programs to field offices, partners and communities throughout the Front Range of Colorado. In this role, you will develop and implement long-range plans and an annual work plant for urban and community forestry programs on the Front Range, in the Denver area and in the immediate area surrounding the CSU Spur campus.
This position works closely with city foresters, community leaders and diverse organizations to manage community trees. Apply today!
Location: Denver (Spur)
Salary range: $65,000 – $70,000
What you’ll do
- Facilitate the development and implementation of long-range plans and an annual work plan for UCF programs on the Front Range, in the Denver area and in the immediate area surrounding the CSU Spur campus.
- Work alongside neighborhood, local, state, regional and federal partners in the delivery of UCF programs.
- Collaborate on budget development for the UCF program, including new grant proposals and ongoing grants.
- Monitor target accomplishments and ensure accomplishment reports are completed.
- Support CSFS field staff working on UCF activities in the Front Range.
- Serve as the lead subject matter expert for CSFS field staff and partners in planning and implementing UCF program activities (tree planting, inventory, canopy assessment, risk assessment, community meetings, outreach activities, etc.) on university, municipal and private lands throughout the Front Range.
Minimum qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, landscape architecture or a related program of study.
- Four years of professional forestry experience, with specific experience in urban and community forestry.
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.
To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MDT Aug. 25, 2026.
Manager of the Northwest Area
Manager for the Northwest Area
Nurturing forests. Empowering communities.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and service-driven Manager for the Northwest Area to join our team. This role directs program implementation, interagency partnerships and applied, science-based forest management to achieve agency priorities. Area managers have responsibility for the operations and the staff out of 3-6 field offices and satellite offices and are the direct supervisor for Supervisory Foresters.
Working under the direction of the Associate Director of Forestry Services, the Area Manager leads and manages an integrated, geographically dispersed team to deliver CSFS programs and services within an assigned area. The Area Manager is a member of the CSFS Management Team, coordinating work across divisions to allocate resources, address operational issues and ensure consistent implementation of policies and practices. The position oversees multi-year, multi-source budgets (typically ~$2–$5M; may administer larger portfolios depending on funding cycles), supervises professional and hourly staff, and manages facilities, fleet, equipment and safety for the area. Apply today!
Location: Could be based out of Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Gould (State Forest) or Granby Field Office.
Salary Range: $80,000 – $85,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead Area operations and program delivery: set priorities, goals and targets aligned with CSFS strategic direction; develop annual and long range work plans; ensure consistent delivery across field offices.
- Supervise and develop staff (typically 3–7 administrative professional personnel, 1-3 state classified personnel and 1–5 student/hourly employees); establish expectations, conduct performance reviews, mentor and ensure a safe working environment.
- Manage Area budgets and fiscal practices; ensure adherence to CSU/CSFS financial policies; track and report accomplishments/expenditures; ensure grants and service agreements are planned, implemented, certified and reimbursed to agency standards.
- Oversee Area infrastructure—facilities, vehicles, equipment and IT/GIS tools—to maintain safe, reliable and compliant operations.
- Represent the CSFS with local, county, state and federal officials; cultivate partnerships; communicate Area and Agency priorities and outcomes.
- Guide staff on professional forestry services (forest management, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, community forestry, outreach); review reports and geospatial data to inform adaptive management.
- Serve on the CSFS Management Team to coordinate problem solving, budgeting, operating procedures and resource allocation across program areas.
- Other related duties
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership, supervision and team development skills.
- Experience managing complex forestry projects from planning through implementation.
- Demonstrated experience with budgeting, grants, contracts and project management.
- Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to safety, customer service and science-based forest management.
Minimum qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree (or greater) in forestry, another natural resources program or related degree will be considered.
- Eight (8)+ years of professional forestry experience (e.g., forest ecology/silviculture/management/planning; watershed protection; wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction).
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.
To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MDT, August 27, 2026.
GIS analyst
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking a GIS analyst to join our Geospatial Data and Analysis Program. This position will enhance the program’s technical expertise in coding and automation and help improve data analysis and management processes across the agency.
This is an exciting opportunity for a GIS professional to support statewide forest management through geospatial data, analysis, training and technical assistance. The position will collaborate with GIS staff and external partners to improve data accessibility, standardization and usability across the Colorado State Forest Service. Apply now!
Location: Colorado
Salary: $60,000–$65,000
Full consideration date: Aug. 24, 2026
What you’ll do
- Collaborate with GIS staff to maintain and enhance statewide data pipelines and applications, with a focus on streamlining data ingestion, management, and standardization.
- Support data accessibility for legislative and budgetary/funding inquiries.
- Support the development and maintenance of external partnerships related to statewide forest management data.
- Provide technical assistance through the GIS helpdesk and respond to internal and external requests.
- Lead GIS training for CSFS staff and external partners, including training in data use and analysis and mobile data collection applications.
- Work with the Supervisory GIS Specialist to develop and implement quality assurance/quality control and metadata standards.
- Apply data and information management standards to ensure high-quality, accessible GIS data.
What we’re looking for
- Experience with GIS and geospatial data analysis, management and applications.
- Strong technical skills and an interest in coding, automation and process improvement.
- Experience supporting or training others in GIS and/or mobile data collection applications.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to provide technical assistance, troubleshoot problems and work effectively with a wide range of users and partners.
- An innovative, enthusiastic and creative approach to solving problems and supporting agency needs.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in GIS/geospatial science OR a bachelor’s degree in another natural resource program with a GIS minor or certificate OR a degree in geography with GIS coursework.
- Three (3)+ years of GIS experience, which may be a combination of professional and educational experience.
- Demonstrated proficiency in areas such as geospatial analysis, cartographic principles and standards, remote sensing, user support and training, and/or mobile data collection.
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests — we 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.
- Employee 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.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MDT, Aug. 31, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester – State Forest (Gould)
Lead project forester – State Forest (Gould)
Stewarding forests. Supporting communities. Leading the future of Colorado’s State Forest.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and service-driven Lead project forester to join our State Forest Field Office in Gould. This position provides technical leadership and operational oversight for forestry programs and projects that support forest health, wildfire mitigation and resilient landscapes across the State Forest and surrounding communities.
Working under the direction of the Supervisory Forester, the Lead Project Forester leads complex forestry projects, supervises professional and seasonal staff, manages budgets and contracts, and builds strong partnerships with landowners, agencies and community stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity for a forestry professional looking to advance into a leadership role while making a lasting impact on Colorado’s forests and communities. Apply now!
Location: Gould
Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead the planning, prioritization, and implementation of forestry programs and projects, including forest stewardship, wildfire mitigation, Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and other forest health initiatives.
- Supervise and mentor foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal employees and interns.
- Manage project budgets, grants, contracts and agreements while ensuring compliance with agency requirements.
- Support field office operations, annual work planning and interagency coordination; serve as Acting Supervisory Forester when assigned.
- Build and maintain partnerships with private landowners, local governments, tribal nations, state and federal agencies, and community organizations.
- Provide technical oversight of silvicultural prescriptions, vegetation management projects and forestry operations.
- Coordinate with other CSFS field offices to ensure consistent program delivery and efficient resource sharing.
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership, supervision, and team development skills.
- Experience managing complex forestry projects from planning through implementation.
- Demonstrated experience with budgeting, grants, contracts, and project management.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to safety, customer service, and science-based forest management.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or a related natural resource field.
- Three (3) or more years of professional forestry experience in areas such as forest ecology, silviculture, forest management or planning, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation or fuels reduction.
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests — we 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.
- Employee 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.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MDT, Aug. 31, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Lead project forester – Durango
Lead project forester – Durango
Nurturing forests. Empowering communities. Lead forestry projects in Southwest Colorado.
The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking an experienced and service-driven Lead project forester to join our Durango Field Office. This position provides technical leadership and operational oversight for forestry programs and projects that support forest health, wildfire mitigation and resilient landscapes across Southwest Colorado.
Working under the direction of the Supervisory Forester, the Lead Project Forester leads complex forestry projects, supervises professional and seasonal staff, manages budgets and contracts, and builds strong partnerships with landowners, agencies and community stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity for a forestry professional looking to advance into a leadership role while making a lasting impact on Colorado’s forests and communities. Apply today!
Location: Durango
Salary range: $60,000 – $65,000 (based on experience)
What you’ll do
- Lead the planning, prioritization, and implementation of forestry programs and projects, including forest stewardship, wildfire mitigation, Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and other forest health initiatives.
- Supervise and mentor foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal employees and interns.
- Manage project budgets, grants, contracts and agreements while ensuring compliance with agency requirements.
- Support field office operations, annual work planning and interagency coordination; serve as Acting Supervisory Forester when assigned.
- Build and maintain partnerships with private landowners, local governments, tribal nations, state and federal agencies, and community organizations.
- Provide technical oversight of silvicultural prescriptions, vegetation management projects and forestry operations.
- Coordinate with other CSFS field offices to ensure consistent program delivery and efficient resource sharing.
What we’re looking for
- Strong leadership, supervision, and team development skills.
- Experience managing complex forestry projects from planning through implementation.
- Demonstrated experience with budgeting, grants, contracts, and project management.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to safety, customer service, and science-based forest management.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or a related natural resource field.
- Three (3) or more years of professional forestry experience in areas such as forest ecology, silviculture, forest management or planning, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation or fuels reduction.
Why choose Colorado State Forest Service?
We not only value our forests — we 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.
- Employee 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.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MDT, Sept. 14, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Part-time employment: Student employee
One position open to a Colorado State University student.
Communications and outreach assistant
Communications and outreach assistant
The communications and outreach student assistant for the Colorado State Forest Service will help create content, specifically photos and short-form videos to build support and awareness of the work of the agency. The assistant will also ship publication and outreach orders as needed and help maintain the agency’s online photo database. The student assistant will also have opportunities to pitch story ideas and pursue topics of interest related to Colorado’s forests. Some tabling events may also be require. The office is located on the Foothills Campus.
Location: Fort Collins, CSU Foothills Campus
Schedule: up to 20 hours/week
Salary: $18/hour
In this role, you’ll…
- Create content for CSFS social media channels, specifically Instagram
- Assist with maintenance of online photo database, writing cutlines and alt text
- Pack and ship orders of publications and outreach materials
- Maintain inventory of publications
- Assist with outreach-related events, booth staffing and educational fairs as needed, working with Communications & Communities Division and other CSFS staff
- Perform a wide variety of tasks as assigned, which may include the following: Creating a bank of possible future social media content, organizing warehoused publications and other outreach materials, as assisting with office tasks supporting the Communications & Communities Division.
Required job qualifications
- Current Colorado State University student, pursuing a degree in Communication and Technology, English, or Journalism and Media Communication. Can be a minor in communication- or journalism-related field if pursuing a forestry, natural resources or related degree.
- Basic computer and website navigation skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
- Digital photography and video production skills
- Social media experience, specifically Instagram
- Strong written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to physically lift supplies (up to 35 pounds)
For full consideration, applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT on Sept. 13, 2026.
CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
Seasonal employment
May 18, 2026: No seasonal positions available at this time.
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 |
|
| Josh Braun | Forester | Durango |
|
| Amanda West Fordham | Associate director of science and data | 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 |
|
| Matthew Mastalir | Forester | Rifle |
|
| Pete Albrecht | Lead forester | Leadville |
|
| Francisco Murphy-Garcia | Lead project forester | Summit County |
|
| Eric Gehrke | Forester | 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