Lead Project Forester

Colorado State University; Steamboat Springs (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Colorado State Forest Service leads forestry programs across the state, delivering wildfire risk reduction and forest resilience initiatives. The Lead Project Forester provides senior leadership, mentors staff and oversees field operations, budgets, and interagency collaboration to advance sustainable stewardship.

The role emphasizes science-based, collaborative program delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or greater) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or other related natural resource field will be considered.
• Four (4)+ years professional forestry experience (e.g., planning, silviculture, wildfire mitigation).
• Experience with contracts, agreements, and grant management; budget preparation and administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritization, and delivery of forestry programs and projects to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience.
• Supervise 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; accountability for program performance.

Skills

Public presentations

Written communication

Leadership

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

ArcGIS

Job description

## Lead Project ForesterApply: Steamboat Springs, CO: Full time: Posted Today: R2026107225# Job Description## Position Summary:The Lead Project Forester is a supervisory, field based role within the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) that provides senior technical and operational leadership for assigned forestry programs and projects across a defined geographic area. The position advances forest health, wildfire risk mitigation, and sustainable stewardship through science based, collaborative, and outcome focused program delivery. For more information: Colorado State Forest Service | Colorado State University **Full Consideration Date: October 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM (MT).**## 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 (required for new hires).* Travel - Irregular work hours and periodic long days, evening and weekend service, occasional out of area, and periodic overnight travel.* Valid driver’s license (Colorado or ability to obtain) and ability to meet CSU vehicle policy; willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours.* Physical ability to hike long distances over steep terrain at high elevations (up to approximately 12,000 ft.) while carrying 35+ lbs. in varied weather conditions. ## Supervision:* This position supervises Foresters (3 FTE), Forester II (1 FTE), Forestry Technicians (1 FTE), seasonal employees (40 hrs/week), and student interns (40 hrs/week).## ## Minimum Qualifications:* A bachelor’s degree (or greater) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or other related natural resource field will be considered.* Four (4)+ years professional forestry (e.g., forest ecology/silviculture/management/planning; watershed protection; wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction). ## 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 fuesl 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 - $65,000