Colorado State University
Manager for the Northwest Area
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Job Description
Under the direction of the Associate Director of Forestry Services, the Area Manager leads and manages an integrated, geographically dispersed team to deliver CSFS programs and services within an assigned Area. The role directs program implementation, interagency partnerships, and applied, science-based forest management to achieve agency priorities. Area Managers have responsibility for the operations and the staff out of 3-6 field offices and satellite offices and are the direct supervisor for Supervisory Foresters.
Essential Job Duties
- Lead Area operations and program delivery: set priorities, goals, and targets aligned with CSFS strategic direction; develop annual and long-range work plans; ensure consistent delivery across field offices.
- Supervise and develop staff (typically 3–7 Administrative Professional personnel, 1-3 State Classified personnel, and 1–5 student/hourly employees); establish expectations, conduct performance reviews, mentor, and ensure a safe working environment.
- Manage Area budgets and fiscal practices: ensure adherence to CSU/CSFS financial policies; track and report accomplishments/expenditures; ensure grants and service agreements are planned, implemented, certified, and reimbursed to agency standards.
- Oversee Area infrastructure—facilities, vehicles, equipment, and IT/GIS tools—to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant operations.
- Represent CSFS with local, county, state, and federal officials: cultivate partnerships; communicate Area and Agency priorities and outcomes.
- Guide staff on professional forestry services (forest management, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, community forestry, outreach); review reports and geospatial data to inform adaptive management.
- Serve on the CSFS Management Team to coordinate problem solving, budgeting, operating procedures, and resource allocation across program areas.
- Other related duties.
Supervision
This position will supervise:
- Administrative Professional personnel (typically 3–7 FTE)
- 1-3 State Classified personnel
- Oversight of student/hourly staff (1–5)
Conditions of Employment
- Irregular work hours and periodic long days, evening and weekend service, occasional off-area and periodic overnight travel.
- Must 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.
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Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree (or greater) in forestry, another natural resources program, or related degree will be considered.
- Eight (8)+ years of professional forestry experience (e.g., forest ecology/silviculture/management/planning; watershed protection; wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction).
Preferred Qualifications
- Four (4)+ years of progressively responsible administrative/program/project management experience in a natural resources environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex program or field-office portfolios, including annual and long-range work planning, staff and resource allocation, multi-source budgets, grants, contracts, agreements, reporting, compliance, and quality control.
- Knowledge of forest management, forest health, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, watershed protection, and community forestry; ability to provide applied, science-based guidance.
- Strong communication and partnership skills with local/state/federal officials, cooperators, and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee technical forestry program quality across multiple employees and projects, including reviewing work products, ensuring consistency with agency standards, approving technical approaches within delegated authority, and knowing when to elevate policy, personnel, technical, or interagency issues to senior leadership.
- Proven ability to interpret senior agency leadership direction and apply it appropriately to unique local or regional situations, including complex staffing, partner, operational, technical, political, or community issues.
- Demonstrated experience with employee performance management, including coaching, giving clear feedback, addressing performance concerns, supporting professional development, and helping employees improve technical, communication, judgment, or project-management skills through guidance, mentoring, training, or appropriate outside support.
Location
This position will be based out of Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Gould, or Granby, Colorado.
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Salary Range
$80,000 to $95,000
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. 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:
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
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.
Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
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.
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