Forestry Project Coordinator

Forestry Project Coordinator (Full-Time)

General Job Description

The Forestry Project Coordinator (Coordinator) will help to implement the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project (Project). CPRW and Larimer County Office of Emergency Management received a US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) in 2024. This position is fully funded by CWDG. The grant helps to fund priorities outlined in the Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) written and adopted by the following communities: Cherokee Meadows, Crystal Lakes, Glacier View and Poudre Canyon.

The Coordinator will report to CPRW’s Forests Program Manager and the main job duties will be the coordination and management of projects associated with the Red Feather Lakes Wildfire Defense Project. The Coordinator will work closely with landowners and the four Project communities, CPRW staff, Larimer County, the local municipalities, the US Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative, contractors, researchers, private landowners and other identified stakeholders to manage implementation of priority projects.

The position is funded through the life of the CWDG grant which expires on August 31, 2029. The position may be extended, pending available funding.

Education and Experience Required

We are seeking an individual that shares CPRW’s values, is good at managing multiple projects, is an independent worker who is self-motivated and well-organized, has strong logistics skills, and enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds. The ideal candidate will also have a strong forestry or natural resources background.  This position also requires excellent communication skills, and GIS skills to plan mitigation projects and manage contractors in project implementation.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in forestry or closely related field
• A demonstrated understanding of the ecology of and restoration techniques for Western forests
• Experience conducting forest inventories and developing forest treatment plans based on current best practices for the Rocky Mountain region
• Knowledge of wildfires, their ecology, and impacts on watershed functions and ecosystem services
• Strong project coordination skills: independently track and manage complex projects involving multiple partners, contracts, budgets, field operations, and record keeping. Well-organized self-starter who can prioritize and manage routine and complex tasks simultaneously.
• Skilled communicator: This position requires effective communication with partners, stakeholders, CPRW staff, and landowners.
• Experience working with private landowners
• Proficiency with ArcGIS software, MS Office and working knowledge of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) Software
• Experience with public speaking and professional presentations
• Comfortable leading and facilitating groups/teams of diverse audiences (technical and non-technical)
• Ability to work outdoors, often alone, during all seasons to complete required field work
• Ability to hike over steep, uneven terrain to perform strenuous outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to operate motor vehicles including 4×4 trucks on and off road
• Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license or the ability to acquire one upon employment

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years experience working in a professional environment on forest management projects related to forest ecology, natural resource management, watershed science or similar fields
• A proven track record of managing forestry projects, including working with contractors on project implementation
• Ability to manage complex project logistics and to meet timelines and milestones for project deliverables
• Working knowledge of bid processes, change orders, contracts, etc.
• Experience writing and managing grants and understanding federal and state grant compliance.
• Understanding of group process, group dynamics, meeting facilitation, negotiation, mediation, and group problem-solving principles and techniques
• Data management competency

Eighty percent of the forestry project coordinator’s time will be dedicated to the red feather lakes wildfire defense project. Tasks associated with the project include:

Project Coordination for the Red Feather Lakes Wildfire Defense Project

• Create and implement treatment plans:
• Conduct forest inventories
• Mark silvicultural prescriptions
• Write forest treatment plans
• Use industry-standard modeling (e.g., FVS, growth/yield modeling, etc.) and forest inventory tools for developing forest treatment and/or management plans
• Developing site appropriate forest management and wildfire hazard mitigation prescriptions to balance treatment goals, property conditions, and project stakeholder needs
• Ensure projects follow local, state, and federal rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures
• Use GIS and other mapping/presentation software to create maps and visualizations for project planning, monitoring, and outreach
• Work with staff and partners to develop and review requests for proposals to procure contractor services and develop and enact contracts for services
• Oversee contractors and assist with project budgets
• Implement pre- and post-project monitoring
• Work with the CPRW Forests Program Manager, Larimer County, and the CWDG advisory team to plan and prioritize projects and monitor project progress and performance

Stakeholder and partner coordination and landowner/community outreach

• Help to coordinate monthly meetings associated with the Red Feather Lakes Project (setting agendas, meeting notes, action items, etc.)
• Represent CPRW at various partner meetings like the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative
• Assist with organizing and leading CPRW’s stakeholder committee meetings (develop content, ensure progress toward milestones)
• Help organize and attend community meetings to keep the public and private landowners informed on the Red Feather Lakes Project progress
• Attend local community events to share Project progress and updates
• One-on-one meetings with landowners to advance the goals of the Project
• Assisting with CPRW-led field trips and educational events associated with the Project
• Help provide content for CPRW e-newsletter, social media, and website

Assistance with other CPRW forestry projects as needed (10%)

• Help to coordinate other CPRW forestry projects across the upper watershed.  This may include projects funded by the Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and other state/local funding sources.

Project administration (10%)

• Assist with office administration (invoicing, billing, answering inquiries etc.)
• Tracking time, contract payments, and grant reimbursements.

Working Conditions

This job will require working in an office and field setting. Field conditions may include varying and extreme weather conditions, cold, heat, sun exposure, wet weather, potential exposure to irritants such as dust and hazardous materials such as tree marking paint. Field conditions could include steep, unstable terrain, proximity to fast‐moving water, proximity to highway traffic, and other typical conditions associated with travel in the foothills of the Poudre watershed. Position includes working weekends and evenings as needed. Participation in volunteer restoration days and other field tasks is expected, to include activities such as lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, pulling, pushing, and reaching overhead and above shoulders, using tools, using your hands and fingers, walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time. Duties will also include driving of employee’s personal vehicle on occasion (with mileage reimbursement). A dedicated work truck will be provided for the Project but may be shared with other CPRW employees.

Position Summary:

• Expected start date: October/November 2025
• Salary range: $58,000-$63,000 depending on experience
• Full-time (40hrs/week)
• Position reports to the Forests Program Manager and Executive Director
• Access to a vehicle required (mileage reimbursed at federal rate)
• Position will be located at CPRW’s office in Fort Collins, CO, with flexibility to work from home on occasion. However, the position will be primarily field based year-round.

Benefits:

• 3% employer retirement match plan
• Monthly health & cell phone stipend
• PTO provided in addition to 12 paid holidays
• 4 weeks paid parental leave and option to use Colorado’s FAMLI program as needed