Colorado State Forest RamCorps Member, Forest Monitoring Technician

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.

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.