Job Announcement: Forestry Project Manager

Fort Collins, CO

Overview

Larimer Conservation District (LCD) is a locally led special district of the state of Colorado and based in Fort Collins. LCD’s mission is to identify and treat priority resource concerns within the district boundaries to promote and improve ecosystem health & resilience. LCD’s primary program areas revolve around watershed restoration, conservation education, and sustainable agriculture.

LCD staff work with private landowners/managers as well as federal, state, and local partners, using the best-available science to provide education and plan & implement forest restoration projects to achieve a landscape scale impact on forest ecosystems and communities in Larimer County. The vision behind this program is to implement a program of work to enhance upper watershed habitats, improve resilience of these systems to the impacts of future fires and floods, and build social license for the program of work across our local communities.

The Forest Restoration team seeks a highly motivated, independent, organized, and outgoing natural resource professional to join the team. This position will work collaboratively with LCD’s current forestry staff to complete all aspects of the program’s responsibilities including site visits, feasibility assessments, program documentation, geospatial work, and field duties. This role will split time between an office setting and assisting with required field work. We expect this role to work collaboratively and cooperatively with all LCD staff and partners and will report to LCD’s Executive Director.

Position Requirements

• Team mentality: positive attitude, cooperative, kind-hearted, solution-oriented, and enthusiastic to pitch in extra work to assist teammates.

• Organizational/administrative skills: Ability to independently track and manage complex projects involving multiple partners, contracts, budgets, field operations, and record keeping.

• Skilled communicator: this position has a high degree of social interaction, and the employee is expected to maintain frequent and effective lines of communication between staff, partners, contractors, and landowners. Candidate must enjoy working with people and have a natural respect for differing viewpoints.

• Proficiently with conflict resolution and the ability to maintain flexible in a fa frequently evolving workplace.

• Ability to convey ideas and scientific concepts related to natural resources to those who may or may not be familiar with such topics (politicians, public, land managers, journalists, etc.)

• Ability to work outdoors (est. 70% field work), often alone, during all seasons to complete required field work; ability to hike over steep, uneven terrain to perform strenuous outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles including 4x4 trucks and ATVs/UTVs on and off road

• Must have a valid Colorado driver's license or the ability to acquire one upon employment

• Technical writing skills – write effectively and efficiently on topics involving forestry and natural resources (contribution to Forest Management Plans, grant applications, reports, educational/promotional documents, press releases, etc.). Experience with grant writing and/or project proposal development is desired.

• Highly organized and efficient in managing tasks, projects, computer files, supplies, and time

• Self-motivated and self-directed; take initiative to identify what needs to be done, solve problems, and anticipate team/partner needs

• Flexibility to consistently perform a variety of duties and deal with unforeseen events

• Committed to safety, quality, discretion, and professionalism

• Able and willing to work up to 12 weekend days per year (at 1.5 time with compensatory leave)

• Ability to identify local trees, understory plants, and noxious weeds

• A bachelor's degree in forestry or a related natural resources degree

• Candidates with 3+ years’ experience in professional applied forestry preferred

• Familiarity with common forestry terminology, inventory equipment, mapping & navigational software, data loggers

• Prior experience with contract administration in the natural resources field, including but not limited to contractor oversight and communication, remitting payments, performing field/site checks, communicating deadlines and requirements to contracting parties, and acting as a liaison between private landowners and service providers.

• General computing: proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, and able to learn other software programs as necessary. Candidates with Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) experience preferred.

• Experience and comfort with public speaking, professional presentations, and adult education/training

Primary Duties

In-Office Planning Duties

• Contracts and Agreements

  • Draft contractor agreements and requests for proposals as needed for upcoming and ongoing active logging projects

  • Aid in the development of Landowner Agreements, License to Enter, and MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) documents for landowner and stakeholder partners

• Technical Notes and Payment Remission

  • Review and fulfill invoices from contracting parties alongside LCD’s District Manager

  • Complete technical notes and ‘job sheets’ in accordance with NRCS requirements to document project developments, note important communications, and reflect completed work

• Forest Management Plans (FMPs)

  • Assist with the development of project scope/design reflected in the FMP

  • Ensure FMPs are created by NRCS deadlines

  • Assist with the creation of corresponding NRCS Implementation Requirements forms and Job Sheets

  • Provide support for FVS (Forest Vegetation Simulator) data analysis pertaining to FMPs

• Grant Administration

  • Oversee grant communications, requests for reimbursements, and reporting for grants pertaining to specific forest restoration projects

  • Develop working relationships with funders and possible partners to find new grant opportunities and maintain collaborative rapport

• Assist LCD Foresters with NRCS planning requirements including Conservation Desktop, CART, CPA-52 (NEPA), Implementation Requirements, Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guides, Job Sheets, etc.

• Cultural Resources (CR)

  • Assist with the completion of NRCS NEPA required CR surveys and/or coordinate surveys with NRCS Archaeologist

  • Complete NRCS CR documentation and submit to NRCS Archaeologist(s)

Field Duties

• Meet one-on-one with landowners to identify goals and develop conservation plans

• Act as the main point of contact for logging contractors and private landowners during the implementation phases of forest restoration projects

• Communicate contract requirements with contractors and associated deliverables with landowners

• Visit active logging projects on a regular basis to ensure contractor compliance with LCD implementation requirements

• Assist LCD staff to conduct pre- and post-project forest inventories

• Work with LCD staff to complete boundary and leave tree marking on project sites

Other Forestry Project Manager duties as required to manage team’s workload, including but not limited to:

• Partner/funder communications

• Organize public engagement and partner/funder events including project tours

• Technical writing

• Social media posts

• Newsletter contributions

• etc.

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Status

Salary: Commensurate with experience, starting salary will be $60,000 - $68,000, dependent on experience. Future salary adjustments are made on an annual basis and based on performance reviews. Position is full time. Employment agreement is renewable annually, dependent on performance and funding.

Benefits:

• Employer-paid health, vision, life, and dental insurance plan available

• 3% Simple IRA retirement match after 6 months

• Generous paid vacation and sick leave

• 11 paid Federal Holidays

• Flexible schedule

Application Process and Contact Information

We invite all interested persons to learn more about LCD’s Forest Restoration Program on our website, www.larimercd.org. No phone calls please. For questions about the position, please email Dylan Alsbach, Operations Director, at dylan@larimercd.org.

To apply, please compile the following application materials into one (1) PDF document, with the file name “LastName_FirstInitial_Forester2025” and submit by email to amy@larimercd.org.

• Cover letter

• Current resumé

• List of three (3) employment references

A federal background check will be utilized as a contingency for employment. Interviews will be conducted to select the employee.

For consideration, all application materials must be submitted by 5pm MST on 8/13/2025