Forestry Technician

Forestry Technician 

With the Colorado State Forest Service

Leadville, CO

Service Dates: May 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 

Average Hours per Week: 40

Days/Hours of Service: Monday – Thursday (4-10s) 

Minimum # of Hours to Complete Term: 1200 Hours minimum 

About Blue Elements Watershed Stewards: Blue Elements Watershed Stewards are committed to increasing community resilience in the face of changing water conditions by supporting sustainable access to one of Colorado’s most valuable natural resources. AmeriCorps members will support organizations serving the water education and monitoring sectors in the Arkansas River Valley and beyond. Members may provide water education to youth and adults, complete watershed management projects, and support water quality monitoring projects.

About the Colorado State Forest Service: Established in 1955, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. The CSFS is committed to providing timely, relevant forestry information and education to the citizens of Colorado to achieve resilient forests and communities. The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. To learn more about the CSFS, visit https://csfs.colostate.edu/. 

The Leadville Satellite Office (LSO) is housed within the Salida Field Office (SAFO) and operates primarily in Lake County, Colorado. The Leadville office works on behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities, the United States Forest Service, and CSFS to oversee, prepare and administer fuel mitigation projects on federal, state, and private lands in high priority, critical watersheds. The LSO is staffed by a lead forester, who is charged with planning and implementing projects in Lake County. The LSO is supported by four foresters and directed by one supervisory forester, all working out of the Salida Field Office, which operates primarily in Chaffee County, Colorado.  

About the Position: The CSFS Forestry Technician AmeriCorps Member will work with foresters from the Leadville Satellite Office and the Salida Field Office in the field performing a variety of forestry practices and disciplines. On the ground training and experience will be provided by a variety of personnel from a variety of natural resource disciplines including wildlife biology, hydrology, and forestry. The Americorps Member will receive on the job training in:

• Field Data Collection (Timber Cruising & Common Stand Exams in compliance with USDA Forest Service Protocols)
• Data Compilation
• Forest Vegetation Simulator
• Reading/Writing Timber Prescriptions
• Forestry Measurement Tools
• Boundary Layout
• Geographic Information Systems
• Tree Identification
• Insects & Disease Identification
• Timber Marking
• Timber Sale Administration
• Chainsaw Field Maintenance and Repair

Trainings will include First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Leave No Trace, S212 – Wildfire Chainsaw Operation  and ATV/UTV operation. All forestry gear, related personal protective equipment, and a pickup truck will be provided for all field work and trainings.  

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist in the collection of inventory data using various forestry tools and methods
• Timber cruising
• Common stand exams
• Lynx habitat surveys
• Complete project layout work
• Area boundaries
• Reserves
• Group selections, patch cuts
• Read and understand a timber prescription or marking guide while operating a paint gun
• Field maintenance of paint guns and chainsaws
• Assist foresters in creating treatment prescriptions, forest management plans and sale administration

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Required Qualifications

• An Associate of Arts (AA), an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or an Associate of Science (AS) degree from a two-year program, OR a bachelor’s degree (or greater) in Forestry – another natural resource program or related degree will be considered.
• Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one by the start date. Additionally, they must meet the qualifications to drive a university vehicle according to the Colorado State University Vehicle Policy.

• Preferred Qualifications

• Committed to quality, demonstrating excellent ethics, professionalism and safety
• Experience working in an outdoor environment and at altitude
• Experience working with ArcGIS Pro and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to read a map and navigate Forest Service System Roads.
• Ability to pass a National Wildfire Coordinating Group Work Capacity Test at the arduous level.

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications: 

• At least 18 years old at start of service
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
  ● Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Physical Demands and Service Environment: This position is based at the Colorado State Forest Service, located at 901 US Hwy 24, Leadville, CO 80461. The position will involve service on steep, uneven terrain within complex fuel matrices potentially during inclement weather. Applicants should be prepared to work in rain, snow, hail and high winds, and to be outside for the majority of the work day in areas with limited, or no, cell service and at altitudes greater than 10,000 feet above sea level. This position does not require camping and the Americorps Member will return to the office at the end of each field day.  

Watershed Stewards AmeriCorps Program Benefits: 

• Living Allowance- AmeriCorps member(s) will receive a total stipend of $13,090 paid out bi-monthly at $818.30 per pay period over the course of the term. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• Housing Stipend- AmeriCorps member(s) will receive a total stipend of $4,000 paid out bi-monthly at $250.00 per pay period over the course of the term. Taxes are deducted and the housing stipend is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• Education Award / Tuition Assistance- AmeriCorps member(s) can receive an Education Award upon successful completion of service in the amount of $5,176.50. This can be used to pay back student loans or further your education.
• All members receive professional development and training, plus covered travel costs for attendance at regional or state conferences.
• All members may be eligible for the Federal Assistance Program (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
• All members may qualify for student loan forbearance while in service.
• Alumni benefits may include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers

of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt. 

Blue Elements Watershed Stewards is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage people of every color, orientation, age, sex, origin, and ability to apply. Our service culture embraces—and is strengthened by—the unique perspectives, contributions and experiences of all our members.