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The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) provides technical forestry assistance, urban forestry technical guidance, wildfire mitigation expertise, and outreach and education to help landowners and communities achieve their forest management goals. The CSFS Communications and Communities Division works collaboratively with other CSFS staff and many partners to provide outreach and education to landowners, organizations, and communities throughout Colorado and supports and enhances the outreach efforts of CSFS forestry professionals throughout the state. The division also provides administration and oversight of urban and community forestry programs that directly contribute to the agency’s mission of “the stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations”.

The Urban Wood Research Associate (RAI) fosters collaboration and networking among organizations, municipalities and city foresters, milling operations, wood waste managers, high-end wood product developers and buyers, non-profits, and arborists. This part-time position provides essential support by identifying and assisting these partners with grant opportunities through the CSFS and others to strengthen urban wood management and promote innovative uses, with a specific focus on communities with historic environmental justice disparities. The Urban Wood Research Associate is also responsible for providing professional functions and technical expertise to CSFS field offices in delivering urban wood utilization programs and meeting needs throughout all of Colorado’s communities.

The Urban Wood Research Associate plays a pivotal role in designing and implementing programs, conducting research, organizing networking events, and delivering educational initiatives that advance urban wood utilization throughout the state. Additionally, this position is responsible for overseeing the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Wood Feasibility Study, ensuring its successful execution and application of findings to improve urban wood management practices.

Ongoing duties of this position include assisting with community forestry activities within the CSFS Urban and Community Forestry Program (tree planting, inventory, canopy assessment, risk assessment, etc.); conducting trainings and workshops with professionals and community members; coordinating with researchers and others to determine wood volume estimates from tree inventories; and serving as an advocate for community forestry, coordinating and participating in regional and national community forestry forums, and attending and speaking at conferences.

This position requires proficiency and skills in program delivery, including but not limited to recording accomplishments, completing required reports, meeting deadlines, and managing projects, with the goal of aligning urban wood projects with the urban and community forestry objectives outlined in Colorado’s Forest Action Plan.

Daily activities include providing technical assistance in urban wood production to and maintaining relationships with CSFS staff and key partners, conducting trainings and workshops, writing grants, providing direction to arboriculture and urban forestry professionals, working alongside neighborhood and non-profit groups to develop projects, and assisting the UCF Program Manager and Associate Director of Communications and Communities with other special projects as they arise. Technical assistance may require operation of heavy machinery and aiding on a jobsite and in the field.

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.