Description

Lead Forestry Projects that Shape Colorado’s Future – Join us as a Lead Project Forster in Alamosa, CO!

The Colorado State Forest Service is hiring a Lead Project Forester to guide and manage complex forestry programs that directly impact Colorado’s forest health, wildfire mitigation, and community resilience. Based out of our Alamosa Field Office, this position plays a key role in leading collaborative, high-impact projects that strengthen partnerships, engage communities, and protect landscapes. Apply now to make a lasting difference!

Location: Alamosa, Colorado

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 (based on experience)

Key Responsibilities:

•  Lead and manage forestry programs in one or more of the following areas:
  • • Community Wildfire Protection Plans & wildfire hazard mitigation
    • Forest agriculture
    • Forest stewardship planning
    • Good Neighbor Agreements
    • Outreach and engagement
    • Collaborative partnerships
• Serve as the primary contact for local officials, landowners, and key partners
• Manage project budgets and oversee program implementation
• Develop and administer grants and agreements
• Lead Area work teams, mentor foresters, and support field operations
• Contribute to strategic work planning and identify emerging forestry issues
• Serve as acting Supervisory Forester when needed

This Position Requires Expertise In:

• Silviculture and forest management best practices
• Wildfire mitigation and community protection strategies
• Timber harvest operations and contract oversight
• Insect and disease identification and response
• Navigating partnerships, collaboratives, and stakeholder relationships
• CSFS and Area-level operational planning

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. 
•        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 earned each year. 
•        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. 

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (or greater) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or other related natural resource field will be considered
• Three years of professional forestry experience, with specific experience in Wildfire Management/Fuels Mitigation, Wildlife Biology, Forest Management, Dendrology, Forest Ecology, Forest Measurements, Silviculture, or Vegetation Dynamics
• Experience in knowledge and principles of project management, concepts of project constraints, and ability to manage and apply those principles
  Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions
• 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
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States before the employment start date; Colorado State Forest Service will not sponsor a visa for this position