Lead Project Forester

csusystem; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s CSU Forest Service division seeks a senior forestry professional to lead strategic programs across the Northeast Area, driving wildfire risk reduction and forest resilience. The role supervises Foresters, technicians, seasonal staff, and interns while managing budgets, grants, and interagency agreements.

You will develop work plans, coordinate field operations, and build partnerships with landowners and government entities to secure funding and ensure high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related natural resource field.
• Three years of professional forestry experience with wildfire management, fuels mitigation, wildlife biology, forest management, dendrology, silviculture, or vegetation dynamics.
• Willingness to travel and irregular hours, with occasional overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritization, and delivery of forestry programs and projects to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience.
• Supervise and mentor Foresters, Forestry Technicians, seasonal employees, and interns; set goals and coach performance.
• Manage budgets, grants, and contracts; track deliverables and ensure compliance; monitor program performance and quality.
• Support field office operations; contribute to annual work plans and interagency agreements; act as Supervisory Forester when assigned.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with landowners and collaborators; pursue funding opportunities (grants, agreements).
• Provide technical assistance and approve silvicultural prescriptions per CSU/CSFS policies and best available science.
• Coordinate across field offices to align plans and resources for consistent delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Public presentations

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

MS Office

Job description

Position Summary:

This position is involved with all five Goals of the Strategic Plan and is critical to accomplishing the CSFS mission. It supports the strategic plan by filling the immediate demands for Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) response coordination and capacity for the Northeast Area, and by providing forestry leadership and expertise for proactive forest stewardship for landowners and cooperators in critical, priority landscapes.

Essential Job Duties:

• Lead planning, prioritization, and delivery of forestry programs and projects (e.g., CWPP implementation, forest stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority projects, urban & community forestry, outreach) to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience.
• Supervise and mentor Foresters, Forestry Technicians, seasonal employees, and interns; set goals, assign work, coach performance, and ensure safety and quality standards.
• Manage budgets, grants, and contracts; track deliverables, timelines, and compliance; maintain accountability for program performance and quality control.
• Support field office and area operations by contributing to annual work plans, long-range priorities, scopes of work, and interagency agreements; serve as acting Supervisory Forester when assigned.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with landowners, local governments, and federal/state/tribal/NGO collaborators; represent CSFS in multi-party initiatives and pursue funding opportunities (grants, agreements).
• Provide technical assistance and approve/oversee silvicultural prescriptions and vegetation management activities consistent with CSU/CSFS policies and best available science.
• Coordinate across field offices to align operational plans, share resources, and ensure consistent program delivery.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check.
• Valid Colorado driver's license or ability to acquire one upon employment.
• Ability to travel and work irregular work hours and periodic long days, evening and weekend service; occasional out of area, and periodic overnight travel.
• Ability to drive 4x4 trucks on rough terrain, pulling a trailer and operating OHVs (to include side-by-sides, ATVs and snowmobiles).

Supervision:

This position will supervise 1 FTE Forester, seasonal employees, and student interns.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience with a state forestry agency.
• Experience developing work plans and project/program prioritization and resource allocation.
• Experience in public presentations and outreach.
• Professional experience with participation on teams, committees and other special assignments, as well as the ability to work independently.
• Experience with contracts, agreements, and grant management.
• Program and/or project management experience that included budget preparation and administration.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Experience with the general Microsoft Suite Office and ArcGIS software.
• Knowledge of western United States forest management techniques in the following areas: Silviculture (e.g., Colorado tree silvics; intermediate treatments; even-aged and uneven-aged structure), disturbance regimes, WUI fuels reduction, forest insect and diseases, timber harvesting systems, community forestry in WUI situations.
• Experience with basic field forestry skills (cruising and timber marking) related forestry project boundaries, harvest plans, silvicultural prescriptions, natural and artificial regenerations methods, road layout, and contract inspections.

Salary Range

$60,000 to $65,000

Full consideration date 9/14/2026

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that transforms lives and improves the human condition through world‑class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work‑life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.