Forestry Program Specialist

Title: Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Forestry Program Specialist

Location: Colorado, USA

Job Description:

Full time

job requisition id

R2026104644

Job Description

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Manager of Program Delivery, the Forestry Program Specialist serves as the statewide lead for the oversight and administration of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) program and related partner agreements. This position manages the operational integrity of a $38 million portfolio funded through federal agreements, state funding, and timber sale revenue. The specialist acts as the central point of coordination for GNA accountability, and technical data management across the agency's 17 field units. Primary functions include developing multi-year project plans, coordinating potential pre-implementation environmental planning contracts/agreements (NEPA, Section 106, and ESA), and providing professional forestry expertise to support forest management throughout Colorado.

Location: This position will primarily work remotely from a home office located anywhere within Colorado; however, frequent travel throughout the state is expected for in-person meetings, trainings, and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Job Duties:

• Manage a $38 million statewide GNA portfolio consisting of federal agreements, state and third-party funding, and timber sale revenue to ensure financial accountability and audit readiness.
• Facilitate the creation and implementation of multi-year project plans and corresponding agreements for all 17 field units to ensure the completion of the annual program of work.
• Perform programmatic reviews of GNA contracts, timber sale documentation, and appraisal processes to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with agency standards.
• Programmatic statewide data management and reporting, and implementing timber sale volume tracking software to ensure accurate reporting of accomplishments.
• Administer grant and agreement lifecycles, including proposal development, budget monitoring, and verifying staffing percentages across accounts to meet federal and state fiscal requirements.
• Coordinate pre-implementation environmental planning efforts through contracts/agreements, including NEPA, Heritage (Section 106), and Endangered Species Act (ESA) support, by building partnerships to accelerate forestry projects.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with statewide USFS, BLM, NGO, and Industry partners, as well as internal CSFS teams, to facilitate shared stewardship of Colorado’s forests.
• Develop and deliver technical trainings and workshops for CSFS staff and partners on GNA standards, contract development, and program administration.

Supervision:

• None. May provide daily oversight, guidance, and safety mentoring for seasonal or hourly staff as needed.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Background Check
• Legally authorized to work in the United States before the employment start date; Colorado State Forest Service will not sponsor a visa for this position
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Four years of combined field forestry and forest or natural resource management program administration experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Collaborative Leadership & Conflict Resolution: Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships and advance outcomes with federal, state, and third-party partners; strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to resolve multi-party conflicts and negotiate with diverse workgroups.
• Advanced Forest Management & Timber Administration: Expert knowledge of forest health and watershed issues; demonstrated experience in project prep, cruising, appraisals, road layout, and timber sale and fuels reduction contract development and administration. Experience implementing GNA projects. 
• Professional Project Management: Ability to work independently at a high level of proficiency, managing multiple high-priority projects while maintaining a focus on technical accuracy, and professional excellence.
• Program Planning & Fiscal Administration: Experience managing complex, multi-million dollar portfolios, including budget oversight, annual programs of work, strategic reporting of accomplishments, and the administration of forestry-related grants and federal agreements.
• Environmental Planning & Compliance: Proficiency in coordinating and overseeing pre-implementation environmental planning efforts, specifically NEPA, Heritage (Section 106), and Endangered Species Act (ESA) support. 

Application Instructions:

Please submit a current resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position.

Be sure your application materials clearly reflect how your experience, education, and skills meet the minimum and preferred qualifications listed in the posting. These materials are the primary information used to evaluate applicants, so please highlight relevant experience in both.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $70,000

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.

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.