CSFS Communications and Communities Intern

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

12d • $18

About The Position

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR). The CSFS provides technical forestry assistance, wildfire mitigation expertise, and outreach and education to help landowners and communities achieve their forest management goals. Our mission is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. The position title of this internship is CSFS Communications and Communities Intern. This intern will be based out of the Communications and Communities Division at the CSFS State Office in Fort Collins and is directly supervised by Danielle Ardrey (Conservation and Youth Education Specialist). This intern will also work occasionally out of the CSFS Urban and Community Forestry Hub at the CSU Spur campus in Denver. The Communications and Communities Division is staffed by 10+ employees working communications, statewide outreach efforts, conservation education, youth education and career exploration, and urban and community forestry. The main focus of this internship will be education and outreach, with opportunities to learn from and support other programs within the division, such as Urban and Community Forestry and Communications.

Requirements

• Undergraduate student pursuing a degree at a Colorado institution of higher education. Students can be any year or major. Students graduating in the spring of 2026 or later are eligible for an internship in the summer of 2026.
• Good academic standing with undergraduate institution (GPA > 2.0).
• Demonstrated career interest in forestry. natural resource, or environmental education 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.

Nice To Haves

• Skill in engaging diverse audiences and effectively conveying information
• Experience planning, setting up, and managing outreach booths or similar public engagement at events, festivals, or community gatherings
• Experience delivering education programs to varied age groups
• Basic understanding of trees and forests in western U.S.
• Experience and/or coursework in tree identification
• Demonstrated ability to use email and other digital communication methods effectively

Responsibilities

• host outreach booths at events and festivals aligned with CSFS mission
• lead forest education activities with support from Project Learning Tree materials and Smokey Bear (e.g., second Saturdays with CSU Spur in Denver)
• deliver public educational resources to promote wildfire readiness and defensible space (e.g., Live Wildfire Ready materials)
• Promote youth natural resource career exploration with activities from Project Learning Tree
• Mentor high school students interested in environmental education and natural resources
• Support Project Learning Tree professional development events- material distribution, logistic coordination, event marketing, data tabulation, content development and delivery
• City tree Inventories
• Community forestry projects with our UCF Hub at CSU Spur (e.g., planting, pruning, etc.)
• social media projects
• communications content creation

Benefits

• Housing stipends up to $1,500 are available for each student to support costs associated with rent and utilities for the duration of the internship.
• Small professional development stipends are available for each student to help with costs associated with conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.
• Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates for Colorado).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed