Employer Colorado State University Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills Established in 2015, the partnership between CSU Extension and AmeriCorps aims to provide people power to the communities of Colorado. The CSUE AmeriCorps Program is an AmeriCorps State program funded through Serve Colorado – The Governor’s Commission on Community Service. Our program facilitates members serving across the state of Colorado. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit our website. To learn more about AmeriCorps, click here.To learn more about the CSU Extension AmeriCorps Program, visit https://engagement.colostate.edu/ramcorps/.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 diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. To learn more about the CSFS, visit https://csfs.colostate.edu/.We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service and engagement.This AmeriCorps Member will be based in Fort Collins, Colorado as part of the Forest Monitoring Program, which is within the Science and Data Division of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS). The Forest Monitoring Program is staffed with three full-time employees with a range of field-based monitoring experience, silviculture knowledge, and experience in forest health projects. The AmeriCorps Member will be involved in field data collection for wildfire risk mitigation and forest health projects. They will also help with data entry and data management, have opportunities to interact with landowners, and assist with pre- and post-field seasons tasks.We are seeking applicants who are professional, self-directed, innovative, and energetic. The applicant should enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and respect different viewpoints. Of special interest are applicants that demonstrate a capacity to learn new skills, think critically, and serve as effective team members.Term of Service / Time Commitment:This is a full-time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1700 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week).The position begins in January 2025 and ends in December 2025. The work schedule for this position is dependent on the season and requires travel. Please see below for details.Location and Service Conditions:The position will involve frequent days of service outdoors. Summer and fall duties will include hiking off-trail in rugged terrain and inclement weather, with occasional camping. Most travel will include provided lodging and per diem. Summer and Fall duties will revolve around data collection in the field. Outside of field season, the member will help organize older spatial data, characterize treatment types for older projects, participate in winter snow depth data collection, prepare for the next field season and prepare data for entry into simulation platforms like the forest vegetation simulator.January 2025 – April 2025: The AmeriCorps Member would be serving in the CSFS Office in Fort Collins. This position qualifies for hybrid services during this time. At a minimum, one day a week must be spent in the office. The AmeriCorps Member, Forest Monitoring Measurement Specialist, and Forest Monitoring Program Manager will choose a mutually agreeable work schedule. Depending on the professional development options chosen, travel and weekend or evening service hours could occur.May 2025 – December 2025: The AmeriCorps Member would serve a schedule of four days per week for 10 hours each day. This position will require extended travel, usually for 4 days/week, but will be regularly housed within hotels/campsites paid for by the Forest Monitoring Program during their travel. They will typically return to Fort Collins at the end of each Thursday. For projects located more than five hours away, we may augment to an 8-6 schedule where the member may serve 8 days on and then get six days off. Further, we may switch to car camping for certain projects, especially if there are no reasonably priced hotels close to our project sites. This will be dependent on projects selected for monitoring, but camping is something that we may do occasionally. We will not be backpacking. Occasional weekend or evening service may occur, depending on travel logistics.Training and Support Provided:Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 340 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Tori Hunter, Ethan Bucholz, and Ashley Prentice, CSFS Forest Monitoring Program, as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager, melinda.macpherson@colostate.edu. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other, including Blair Rynearson, CSFS State Forest Manager. Required SkillsAt least 18 years old at start of service.High school diploma or G.E.D.Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202.Wear official AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service.Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully and inclusively with a diverse population.Excellent organizational and time management skills.Computer skills: familiarity with MS Office 365, especially Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Zoom.Ability to learn and retain complex information with accuracy and to follow procedures consistently and with attention to detail.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.Ability and willingness to work long hours with occasional evening and weekend duties(work based on a 40-hour work week).Ability and willingness to perform strenuous outdoor work and carry backpacks with 25+ pounds of work and personal gear across steep terrain in all inclement weather conditions.Member will be exposed to biting/stinging insects, and wildlife during field work. The member will receive training on field safety.Ability and willingness to tent-camp and backcountry hike, including off- and on-trail. Camping will be in developed car campgrounds or in dispersed camping sites along dirt roads.Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag, and other personal items related to camping and hiking. A complete personal gear list is available upon request.Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado for 4-8 day-long trips to CSFS field offices, requiring stays in hotels and car camping. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates for Colorado).Be dedicated to community service.Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks with minimal supervision.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Ability to complete physically demanding tasks in extreme weather conditions.Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, and UTVs/ATVs in variable weather and road conditions.One season of field experience in forestry, landscaping or working outdoors. Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location Detail: Fort Collins, CO Job Benefits: Program Benefits:A living allowance of approximately $992.80 for full time per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $24,820 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.An education award of $7,395 earned upon successful completion of term of service.It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member.Possible mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service.Access to ongoing professional development trainings and resources through the university.Experience working with professionals in the field with on the ground training.Non-tangible benefits including making a difference in a community, valuable networking opportunities, and serving the local community in an identified area of need.Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.Other certifications, experience, etc. (Trainings may include: FVS training, CPR/First Aid Training, UTV/ATV Safety Institute Training and Snowmobile Training, GIS training).Fully covered health insurance through the University. Application Deadline: Sun, 01/05/2025 - 12:00pm Link to Full Job Posting: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/153935
