Colorado State University Student Internship in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Job Information

Colorado State University Student Internship in Fort Collins, Colorado

Position Information

Classification TitleTemporary Hourly

Employment CategoryTemporary

Is this an Hourly position?Yes

Work Hours/Week0-40

Overtime Eligible?Yes

Position LocationGolden, Broomfield, CO

Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work?Yes

Description of Work Unit

The Colorado State Forest Service ( CSFS ) partnered with the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University in 2018 to develop a summer internship program that offers paid internships to undergraduate students. Intern positions provide students with in-depth learning and work experiences in natural resources. Internships include a 15-85% split between training for the student and hourly work for the CSFS , as defined below under “Duties and Responsibilities”. Student interns prepare 2 written documents throughout their internship period to advance professional writing skills and encourage self-reflection. They also receive one-on-one mentoring and evaluations from their CSFS supervisor(s). A small professional development stipend will be made available to support costs/fees associated with trainings, workshops, conferences, and other applicable opportunities during the internship period. A housing stipend will be offered to interns to mitigate the cost of living in Colorado.

These interns will be based out of the Golden Field Office (Golden, CO) and Broomfield Field Office (Broomfield, CO) within the CSFS Northeast Area and will be directly supervised by Audrey Miles-Cherney, Upper South Platte Partnership ( USPP ) Watershed Coordinator. Interns will largely work with the Upper South Platte Partnership ( USPP ) and the many agencies associated with it. The USPP consists of approximately 18 active organizations with 40 individuals working collaboratively on mutual goals. The partnership focuses on a HUC 8 watershed in which 80-90% of the drinking water passes through it for approximately 2 million Coloradoans (primarily in the Denver and Aurora areas). This watershed is nearly 1.2 million acres, covering 8 counties located west and southwest of Denver. Interns will collaborate with USPP partners to improve forest health, increase resilience to wildfire and other disturbances, and build sustainability and fire-adapted communities within the watershed. While based in Golden and Broomfield, the intern has an opportunity to gain experience interacting with multiple CSFS Offices along with local fire protection districts, government agencies and non-governmental collaborators. For past interns, this has included work with West Metro Fire and Rescue, Evergreen Fire Protection District, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, Jefferson County Open Space, Coalition for the Upper South Platte, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative, and the USPP’s professional facilitation team, Peak Facilitation. In 2025, interns are anticipated to work with those partners, as well as Stewardship West, Denver Water, Aurora Water, Jefferson Conservation District, National Wild Turkey Federation, CSU Extension, and others.

The internship work duties will entail a variety of tasks supporting the USPP collaborative activities and partnering agency activities related to cross-boundary collaboration, forest health management, and wildfire mitigation projects. Examples of work duties include contributing to supporting wildfire mitigation specialists with defensible space or structural ignition zone projects, forest mensuration, treatment layout and boundary marking, monitoring, vegetation surveys, assisting in community education on wildfire preparedness and/or forest health management goals and objects, as well as contributing to the USPP administrative tasks, including but not limited to data entry, internal communications, newsletters, website content updates, planning and presentations at USPP or affiliated partner meetings, and other tasks as needed and suitable to individual skill levels and interests of the selected candidates. The selected interns will gain experience working with diverse USPP partners to conduct work throughout the USPP service area. As such, there is some flexibility to customize the interns’ experience to suit their professional interests and skills.

Depending on timing and availability of training schedules, opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/ CPR / AED certification training or renewal, four National Incident Command online/self-paced training modules, CO Forest Restoration Initiative’s Monitoring Protocol, trainings organized by the CSFS or other CSU -affiliated groups, events hosted by CO Forest Collaborative Network, Fire Adapted CO, Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative, Front Range Round Table, Northern CO Fireshed Collaborative, CO/WY Society of American Foresters, and other relevant agencies or organizations of interest as requested by the intern(s). If available during internship work period, trainings may also include: S-130/190, S-212, ATV / UTV certification, NFPA’s Assessing Structural Ignition Potential ( ASIP ).

We are seeking student interns who are professional, self-directed, innovative, and energetic. The applicant should enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and respect different viewpoints and be interested in learning about natural resources management, forest and watershed system health, wildfire mitigation, and collaborative muti-agency processes. Of special interest are applicants that demonstrate a capacity to learn new skills, think critically, and serve as effective team members.

Search Contact EmailKristen Switzer, Kristen.Switzer@colostate.edu

Position Summary

The following are examples of potential work tasks depending on intern interests, experience, and available training opportunities:

· Mix of computer-based and fieldwork is expected for all summer interns.

· Vegetation monitoring following CO Forest Restoration Institute’s protocols.

· Assist wildland fire mitigation specialists with defensible space home assessments and inspections.

· Assist volunteer ambassador programs in landowner/homeowner outreach efforts.

· Assist wildland fire mitigation specialists and other forestry professionals with community education efforts.

· Assist forestry professionals with project layout as appropriate to skill level and training (i.e. flagging and marking boundaries and treatments, measuring forest metrics, tree/plant ID, field data collections such as slope, aspect, basal area factors, collecting monitoring photos at sample sites, supporting forest ag program tasks, etc.).

· Assisting with debris hauling and chipping, and/or slash piling.

· Participate in Upper South Platte Partnership ( USPP ) meetings that overlap with the internship term; participate in the meeting planning and logistics, set-up/clean-up, note taking, share out/report as appropriate to skill level and agenda topics, etc.

· Program data entry and file management to assist with program and grant reporting.

· Project database management and ArcGIS/mapping (as applicable to skill level).

· Photo/video documentation of field and training experiences.

· Graphic design and editing of visual communication elements (if applicable to skill level/prior training, and interests).

· Website content development and editing (if applicable to interests and/or skills) including researching topics, writing blog post narratives, updating content as assigned.

· Develop professional and effective communications (verbally and/or in written digital formats); the intern will provide a brief presentation or written report for USPP partnering entities at the end of the term summarizing either a research topic of interest and/or summarizing accomplishments achieved, and skills developed and/or knowledge gained.

· Work with supervisor(s) to prepare a summer work plan, set goals and learning objectives, and evaluate progress.

· Complete two professional writing assignments throughout the summer.

· Attend a mandatory day-long orientation session onMonday, May 19, 2025either in person at the CSFS State Office on the Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, CO or virtually.

· Hourly internship duties will occur from May 27, 2025 through August 15, 2025.

Position Minimum Qualifications

· Internship positions are available to all Colorado undergraduate students of any year and major.

· Good academic standing at undergraduate institution ( GPA > 2.0).

· Demonstrated career interest in forestry or natural resource fields.

· Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

· Experience working as an effective team member and clear communicator.

· Exhibits a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Preferred Qualifications

· Good written and oral communications.

· Previous forestry field experience.

· Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, manual transmission vehicles, and UTVs/ATVs in variable weather and road conditions.

· Ability to (or willingness to learn how to) operate chainsaws and logging and forestry equipment.

· Experience using forestry equipment (diameter tape, loggers tape, GPS , increment borer, etc.).

· Experience identifying trees, grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the western U.S.

· Experience navigating with maps, compass, and GPS units.

· Experience using ArcGIS.

· Google suites experience, including Gmail, Drive, Forms, Calendar, etc.

· Photography and/or videography skills.

· Graphic design and/or editing skills.

Posting Details

Working TitleStudent Internship

Posting Number202400755T

DepartmentColorado State Forest Service

Salary Range$17.50/hr

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, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/02/benefits-summary-hourly.pdf)
Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .
Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Close Date02/07/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. 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.

· Housing stipends between $1,500 and $2,000 are available for each student to support costs associated with rent and utilities for the duration of the internship.

o There may be a camper RV available for certain field-based workdays.

o Interns that have already secured accommodations can opt to commute if they live within a reasonable distance. There will also be opportunities for remote work for select tasks.

· Small professional development stipends are available for each student to help with costs associated with conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.

· Interns might be exposed to poisonous plants, biting stinging insects, and wildlife during field work.

· Reliable transportation to get to assigned work locations

· Ability to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicles.

· Ability and willingness to tent-camp and backcountry hike, including off- and on-trail.

· Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots and rain gear.

· Ability and willingness to occasionally travel throughout Colorado for 1-3 day-long trips in support of work assignments, trainings, or meetings, potentially requiring stays in hotels. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates (https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates) for Colorado).

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 Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Diversity Statement

Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, culturally diverse communities among potential target and constituent populations.

Essential Job Duties

Job Duty CategoryField/Office Work

Duty/Responsibility