Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving 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.

The Forest Monitoring Program is housed within the Science and Data Division of CSFS and works to produce and expand CSFS capacity to monitor and assess treatment effectiveness across the State. The Forest Monitoring Crew Lead (FMCL) will report to the Forest Monitoring Measurement Specialist and Forest Monitoring Program Manager. The Program plans to hire 4 seasonal employees in 2025 who will act as field monitoring technicians.

With direct guidance of the Forest Monitoring Measurement Specialist (FMMS) and Forest Monitoring Program Manager (FMPM), as well as CSFS personnel from the Forest Planning and Implementation (FP&I) the FMCL will manage a seasonal technician crew during the field season, and aid in monitoring program planning, data maintenance and training development during the winter. This work entails working with the FMMS and FMPM to design and implement long-term monitoring projects associated with grant awardees within the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program (FRWRM), as well as help the FMPM expand existing monitoring projects to other programs and collaborations.

The incumbent will conduct a variety of field measurements including, but not limited to, those involving tree/sapling/seedling data, vegetation ocular cover estimates, fuel loading measurements, stand treatments and disturbances, land ownership, and other assorted natural resources-oriented data collection in collaboration with a wide variety of partners. The incumbent will be required to be knowledgeable with general forest management practices within the region, as well as have experience with a wide variety of forestry measurement tools.

The FMCL is expected to ensure safe working practices of themselves and their crew and be an advocate for productive team development. This person will be responsible for supervising maintenance and upkeep of the crew vehicle and all crew supplies and equipment. The FMCL will work closely with the FMMS to plan and execute pre- and post-treatment monitoring throughout the state, and work closely with the FMMS and FMPM outside the field season to plan for the next field season, as well as organize and summarize forest monitoring data as well as assist with other tasks associated with expanding the role of monitoring in the state.

A person who fills the FMCL position will operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, UTVs, ATVs, and occasionally other modes of transportation as necessary. Road and plot navigation skills – including use of GIS software and datasets, topographical maps, aerial photos and GPS units – are a must for this position. Crews will use handheld data recorders to gather, encode, summarize, and upload collected field measurements to the monitoring program database.

The FMCL and their crew will be required to hike carrying at least 45-pound packs with all related field gear; pack weights can exceed 60 pounds. Crews work at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 12,000 feet when accessing monitoring plots. Crews will be expected to hike long distances to reach plot locations both on- and off-trail, and work on steep and/or rough terrain. Crews will be working in sun, rain and snow, across the full range of temperatures which can change rapidly throughout the day.

This position requires extensive travel during the field season. Crews are typically away from Fort Collins Monday through Thursday. For projects located more than 5 hours away, we may augment to an 8-6 schedule where we work 8 days and then get 6 days off. Abnormal work schedules are possible and will come with advanced notice. Hotel rooms and campsites will be paid for by the monitoring program. We will car camp for certain projects, especially if there are no reasonably-priced hotels close to our work sites. We will not be backpacking. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates for Colorado).

This is a 2-year term-limited position. Funding and budgets are tight around the state and country at the moment, with more cuts and changes potentially happening in the future. We will work to find stable funding to turn this into a full-time permanent position within the agency, noting the uncertainty of budgets in the future. Ideally, if we can turn this into a full-time position, that is our main goal for the next few years.

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to 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. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.