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Position Information

Classification TitleTemporary Hourly

Employment CategoryTemporary

Is this an Hourly position?Yes

Work Hours/Week0-40

Overtime Eligible?Yes

Position LocationDurango, CO

Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work?No

Description of Work Unit

The Colorado State Forest Service ( CSFS ) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources ( WCNR ). The CSFS provides technical forestry assistance, wildfire mitigation expertise, and outreach and education to help landowners and communities achieve their forest management goals. Our mission is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Colorado State Forest Service partnered with the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University ( CSU ) in 2018 to develop the CSFS Internship Program that offers paid summer internships to undergraduate students. Intern positions provide students with in-depth learning and work experiences in natural resources. Internships include a 15-85% split between training for the student and hourly work for the CSFS , as defined below under “Duties and Responsibilities”. Student interns prepare 2 written documents throughout their internship period to advance professional writing skills and encourage self-reflection. They also receive one-on-one mentoring and evaluations from their CSFS supervisor(s). A small professional development stipend will be made available to support costs/fees associated with trainings, workshops, conferences, and other applicable opportunities during the internship period. A housing stipend will be offered to interns to mitigate the cost of living in Colorado.

The position title of this internship is CSFS Durango Field Office Intern. This intern will be based out of the Durango Field Office in the CSFS Southwest Area and is directly supervised by Josh Braun (Forester).The Durango Field Office is one of 18 field offices at the CSFS and is staffed by four full-time foresters, a Supervisory Forester, a statewide marketing & utilization forester, four inventory foresters responsible for conducting the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program in southwestern Colorado, and an administrative assistant.[KS1]The Durango Field Office services 5 counties in SW Colorado including La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, and San Juan Counties. We are seeking student interns who are professional, self-directed, innovative, and energetic. Of special interest are applicants that demonstrate a capacity to learn new skills, think critically, and serve as effective team members.

[KS1]This is from the CSFS website. Update as needed, such as including counties served by the office.

Search Contact EmailKristen Switzer, [email protected]

Position Summary

•Assisting with and aiding in the expansion and productivity of:

o Good Neighbor Authority ( GNA ) forestry projects with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation to treat insect and disease infected trees, reduce hazardous fuels, and other activities to improve and restore forest and watershed health, including wildlife habitat.

o Inventory, boundary layout, and mapping for project implementation and forest management plans.

o Other duties, including sick tree calls, wildfire mitigation, and urban and community forestry.

• Virtual and in-person meetings with local and federal partners, collaboratives, and private landowners.

• Learn about ponderosa pine, pinon-juniper, and mixed-conifer forest management techniques through exposure in the field, as well as reviewing and participating in written forest management plans (FMPs).

• Learn through FMPs about wildlife habitat improvement, endangered species identification, wetland delineation and hydrology, soil types, and Best Management Practices (BMPs).

• Set up forest inventories using ArcGIS, Avenza, and Excel.

• Conduct forest inventories using laser range finders, tablets, D-tape, clinometer, GPS , increment borer, and other assessment tools and techniques.

• Data analysis using Forest Vegetation Simulator ( FVS ).

• Training opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/ CPR Certification, basic wildland fire fighting training, forestry insect and disease identification training, and other natural resource management networking opportunities.

• Work with supervisor(s) to prepare a summer work plan, set goals and learning objectives, and evaluate progress.

• Complete two professional writing assignments throughout the summer.

• Attend a mandatory 1.5-day orientation session onMonday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026either in person at the CSFS State Office on the Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, CO or virtually. There may also be optional First Aid/ CPR courses offered that week regionally.

• Hourly internship duties will occur from May 18, 2026 through June 26, 2026.

Conditions of Employment:

• Housing stipends up to $1,500 are available for each student to support costs associated with rent and utilities for the duration of the internship.

• Small professional development stipends are available for each student to help with costs associated with conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.

•Student might be exposed to poisonous plants, biting stinging insects, and wildlife during field work.

• Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag, and other personal items related to camping and hiking.

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado for 1-3 day-long trips to CSFS field offices, potentially requiring stays in hotels. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates (https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates) for Colorado).

Position Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate student pursuing a degree at a Colorado institution of higher education. Students can be any year or major.

• Students graduating in the spring of 2026 or later are eligible for an internship in the summer of 2026.

• Good academic standing with undergraduate institution ( GPA > 2.0).

• Demonstrated career interest in forestry or natural resource fields.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

• Experience working as an effective team member and clear communicator.

• Exhibits a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference is given to students in a forestry or natural resource-related major.

• Good written and oral communications.

• Field experience and/or exposure to forestry and natural resources management.

• Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, manual transmission vehicles, and UTVs/ATVs in variable weather and road conditions.

• Experience using forestry equipment (diameter tape, loggers tape, GPS , increment borer, etc.).

• Experience identifying trees, grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the western U.S.

• Experience navigating with maps, compass, and GPS units.

Posting Details

Working TitleCSFS Durango Field Office Intern

Posting Number202500710T

DepartmentColorado State Forest Service

Salary Range$18.00 per hour

Employee Benefits

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.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/02/benefits-summary-hourly.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Close Date02/06/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit applicationsby11:59 pm MST on Friday, February 6, 2026.You must submit a separate application for each position you are interested in being considered for, but can use the same cover letter for all applications (see specific information required in the cover letter below). Include the following information in your application packet:

1.Cover letter

The cover letter must include the following information:

a. The CSFS internship position(s) you are applying for (indicate each specific position title listed in the overview). The above position description is for CSFS Alamosa Field Office Intern.

b. Your interest in and qualifications for each of the positions for which you are applying. Please provide at least 2-3 sentences for each position explaining why you are applying for that position.

2.Resume

3.Unofficial undergraduate transcripts

4.Names and contact information for 3 professional references.

Applications missing any of the above information or submitted after the deadline will not receive full consideration.

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.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. 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.

Background Check Policy Statement

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.

EEO

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.

Essential Job Duties

Job Duty CategoryForest Health Management

Duty/Responsibility

• Assisting with and aiding in the expansion and productivity of:

o Good Neighbor Authority ( GNA ) forestry projects with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation to treat insect and disease infected trees, reduce hazardous fuels, and other activities to improve and restore forest and watershed health, including wildlife habitat.

o Inventory, boundary layout, and mapping for project implementation and forest management plans.

o Other duties, including sick tree calls, wildfire mitigation, and urban and community forestry.

• Virtual and in-person meetings with local and federal partners, collaboratives, and private landowners.

• Learn about ponderosa pine, pinon-juniper, and mixed-conifer forest management techniques through exposure in the field, as well as reviewing and participating in written forest management plans (FMPs).

• Learn through FMPs about wildlife habitat improvement, endangered species identification, wetland delineation and hydrology, soil types, and Best Management Practices (BMPs).

• Set up forest inventories using ArcGIS, Avenza, and Excel.

• Conduct forest inventories using laser range finders, tablets, D-tape, clinometer, GPS , increment borer, and other assessment tools and techniques.

• Data analysis using Forest Vegetation Simulator ( FVS ).

• Training opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/ CPR Certification, basic wildland fire fighting training, forestry insect and disease identification training, and other natural resource management networking opportunities.

• Work with supervisor(s) to prepare a summer work plan, set goals and learning objectives, and evaluate progress.

• Complete two professional writing assignments throughout the summer.

Percentage Of Time100%

References

Minimum References Required3

Maximum References Required3

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume

+ Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents