Forestry Project Manager

Position Title: Forestry Project Manager

Employment Status: Full-time, exempt; This is a two-year, grant-funded position with likely extension based on performance and additional funding

Location: Local, work-from-home position with required field work throughout the Big Thompson Watershed. Attendance at in-person meetings and community events is expected.

Schedule: M-F, with some evening or weekend meetings and events required

Reports to: Forestry Program Manager

Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000 annual salary (DOE)

Benefits: 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days (to start), 6 paid sick leave/mental health days, plus a comp time policy; $7,200 annual health insurance stipend; 3% retirement match; All pro-rata.
Additional benefits include an annual field gear stipend and professional development opportunities.

Application Deadline: Open until filled; preferred application submission by Sunday 3/22/2026

Position Overview:

The Big Thompson Watershed Coalition (BTWC) seeks a Forestry Project Manager to support the planning, coordination, and oversight of forest health and fuels reduction projects throughout the Big Thompson Watershed. The Forestry Project Manager focuses on implementation readiness and delivery while providing technical and field support during planning. This role in translates program priorities into on-the-ground action by working closely with landowners, contractors, partners, and other BTWC staff.

Our ideal candidate is compassionate, highly organized, adaptable, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively. As a small non-profit organization, our success is dependent upon passionate individuals with the knowledge and motivation needed to make a difference for the overall health of our watershed and the communities we serve.

About The Coalition:  

The BTWC was formed as a 501(c)3 to help private and public landowners collaborate 2013 post-flood recovery efforts of the Big Thompson watershed. BTWC is a leader in stakeholder-centered planning and implementation of multi-objective resource management projects that serve diverse needs for the watershed. BTWC maintains an array of partners with shared dedication to stewardship, restoration, outreach, and watershed science. Our fundamental programs focus on Stream and Water Resource Function, Forest Management, and Disaster Recovery. BTWC works across public and private lands and contributes to both local and landscape-scale initiatives to support private landowners, water utilities, local to federal governments, fire districts, special interest groups, research institutes, university programs, the public, and more. We work with affiliated Coalitions in Larimer and Boulder Counties to enhance watershed stewardship across Colorado.

Essential Job Functions:

Project Management (80%)

Primary Project Management duties will lie within Implementation and Field Operations, with secondary duties focusing on Project Development Support. As a growing program supported by multi-year grant funding, responsibilities may evolve over time in response to program needs, funding requirements, and staff capacity.

Primary: Project Implementation and Field Operations

• Project implementation and coordination
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contractors and landowners during active implementation and monitoring phases.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors to ensure work is completed within scope and budget.
• Work closely with the Forestry Program Manager to track project progress, performance goals, and deliverables, and to address implementation challenges as they arise.
• Troubleshoot, resolve, or deescalate operational issues in the field and minimize delays through proactive communication and coordination with landowners, contractors, and supervisors.
• Conduct post-project monitoring and documentation, as required by project goals or funding agreements.
• Field-based technical work and project support
• Support field activities for assigned projects, including forest inventory, prescription marking, Home Ignition Zone assessments, and project monitoring.
• Apply established treatment objectives, desired future conditions, and priorities in the field.
• Develop, organize, and maintain project databases to track field data.
• Assist with training and oversight of field technicians and interns, as needed. May include time as the technical lead during field work in the absence of the Forestry Program Manager.

Secondary: Project Development Support

• Assisting with early project planning tasks and technical contributions
• Support the Forestry Program Manager with project development activities, which may include landowner engagement, initial site visits, and feasibility assessments.
• Contribute to the development of forest management and wildfire mitigation prescriptions by preparing field data, drafting plan components, and providing technical input.
• Assist with estimating project costs, timelines, staffing needs, and resource requirements to support implementation planning and grant proposals.
• Procurement, compliance, and funding support
• Support contractor procurement activities, as needed, in coordination with the Forestry Program Manager and funding partners.
• Support compliance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, policies, and permitting requirements applicable to assigned projects.
• Provide technical and logistical input for grant proposals and assist with documentation and reporting related to funded projects, as assigned.

Partner and Community Engagement (15%)

Represent BTWC in community, landowner, and partner-facing settings in coordination with the Forestry Program Manager.

• Participate in community meetings (e.g., Wildfire Action Groups) and represent BTWC at general public outreach events, including tabling.
• Conduct landowner site visits, property walkthroughs, and follow-up communications during project planning and implementation.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings with landowners, contractors, agency partners, funders, and fire districts to support coordinated project delivery.
• Support BTWC-led outreach and educational events such as project tours, volunteer workdays, workshops, and monitoring events.
• Provide project updates, field observations, and technical input to support communications and reporting efforts.

Organizational Administration and Development (5%)

• Complete required organizational reporting, time tracking, and administrative tasks in accordance with BTWC policies and procedures.
• Participate in internal team meetings, coordination efforts, and organizational activities that support effective teamwork and information sharing.
• Provide input and feedback related to assigned projects to support program learning, adaptive management, and continuous improvement.
• Carry out other tasks as assigned and identified through annual work plan, developed in conjunction with the Forestry Program Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered, including an associate’s degree in forestry combined with at least one season of relevant work experience.
• 2+ years (or 3+ seasons) of professional experience supporting forest management, fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, or ecological restoration projects. A related master’s degree may be equivalent to 2 years of professional experience.
• Working knowledge of Home Ignition Zone concepts and defensible space treatments.
• Practical understanding of western forest ecology, wildfire behavior, and land management practices, particularly in wildland–urban interface communities.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage day-to-day project activities, track tasks and timelines, and coordinate with contractors, landowners, and partners during active project phases.
• Ability to identify implementation challenges in the field and communicate effectively with supervisors and collaborators to resolve issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to landowners, contractors, and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with private landowners preferred; candidates with strong interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in developing landowner engagement experience are encouraged to apply.
• Comfort participating in meetings, site visits, and collaborative settings with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a small, collaborative team.
• Desire to help train and mentor interns, workforce development crews, and/or field staff.
• Demonstrates respect, sound judgment, and professionalism when working with private landowners and partners.
• Willingness to work in variable field conditions and travel within the watershed as required.
• Ability to pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license, or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date, and reliable, insured personal transportation

Helpful Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with the local geography, forest types, and stakeholder landscape of the Colorado Front Range or similar western forest systems.
• Experience using GIS and field data collection tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Avenza, Field Maps)
• Experience supporting post-fire recovery efforts, including reforestation or rehabilitation activities.
• Working knowledge of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) or similar forest modeling tools.
• Experience with contractor coordination and oversight.
• Training or certifications related to wildland fire or defensible space (e.g., NWCG FFT2, ASIP, or similar).
• Familiarity with contractor bid processes, implementation documentation, and change orders, particularly as they relate to on-the-ground forestry or restoration work.
• Experience working with volunteers or seasonal staff, including understanding of group dynamics and collaborative problem-solving.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Able to work from home with minimal distraction, under standard office conditions; considerable sitting, standing, and viewing of computer.
• Able to occasionally work independently in the field where hazardous conditions may be present, including exposure to the elements and construction site conditions, steep, unstable terrain, proximity to fast-moving water, proximity to highway traffic, and typical conditions associated with travel in the foothills and plains of the Rocky Mountain region
• Able to travel throughout the watershed and surrounding areas, including driving a provided field truck or personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed), navigating remote and unpaved roads, and attending in-person meetings primarily in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park.
• May include lifting up to fifty (50) pounds of project gear on a frequent basis
• Able to stand, walk and hike for extended periods of time outside, under varying and adverse weather conditions
• Able to work occasional weekends and evenings for various community and volunteer events, as needed
• Willing to follow individual landowner safety and property access requirements
• Ability to troubleshoot when working alone (flat tires, cattle gates, etc.)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

BTWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don’t discriminate against any otherwise-qualified individual on the basis of race, color, religion or religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, familial status, age, genetics, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or national origin in any phase of employment for this position.

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification, as relevant experience, transferable skills, and demonstrated ability to learn are also valued.

BTWC recognizes the historical and ongoing stewardship of Indigenous peoples in the Big Thompson Watershed and is committed to inclusive, equitable restoration practices.