CSFS Grand Junction Field Office Intern

Colorado State University•Grand Junction, CO

37d•Onsite

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 Colorado State Forest Service partnered with the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University (CSU) in 2018 to develop the CSFS Internship Program that offers paid summer 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. Seasonal housing may be available at the CSU Western Research Campus bunkhouse. Please indicate if you desire to be considered for a room. Note that consideration does not guarantee a room will be available. The position title of this internship is CSFS Grand Junction Field Office Intern. This intern will be based out of the Grand Junction Field Office (Grand Junction, CO) in the CSFS Northwest Area and is directly supervised by Hallie Flynn (Forester). The Grand Junction Field Office is one of 18 field offices at the CSFS and serves Delta and Mesa counties. The office is staffed by a Forester which works closely with the Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition and CSFS staff from other offices and divisions. We are seeking student interns who are professional, self-directed, innovative, and motivated. Of special interest are applicants that demonstrate a capacity to learn new skills, think critically, and serve as effective team members. Intern will serve as a field technician supporting multiple forestry and fuels reduction initiatives in Mesa County, including spruce-fir timber sales, defensible space projects, and mastication operations. Intern will begin by shadowing the forester during inspections and gradually transition to performing regular field inspections independently. Regular check-ins with the direct supervisor will ensure quality assurance and provide opportunities for clarification and feedback. Primary duties include: o Review project documentation: Examine contract scopes of work and specifications to understand treatment objectives and performance standards. o Conduct field inspections: Evaluate contractor work for compliance with project specifications, focusing on treatment quality and adherence to safety protocols. o Document field activities: Capture photographs, take detailed notes, and collect GPS data to record contractor performance and treatment progress. o Report findings: Provide regular updates to the direct supervisor, highlighting contractor performance, challenges, and any corrective actions needed. Assist with: o Timber sale preparation: Support the Grand Junction Forester in preparing GNA and Private Lands timber sales. Tasks include reconnaissance of sale areas, GPS mapping and boundary marking, and timber cruising using Mobile Map software. o Wildfire Risk Assessments: Collaborate with the Executive Director of the Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition to conduct Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) and defensible space assessments. The intern will use a rapid assessment tool to evaluate risk and assist with treatment layout. Office duties may include field equipment maintenance, finalizing project inspection reports, analyzing cruise data, creating maps using GIS, literature searches and professional development related to project scopes, data management, and more. Training opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/CPR Certification, safety orientation for field work, Assessing Structure Ignition Potential training, S-212 or other chainsaw training, ATV/UTV Safety Training, Field Learning Opportunities, and more. 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 1.5-day orientation session on Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026 either in person at the CSFS State Office on the Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, CO or virtually. There may also be optional First Aid/CPR courses offered that week regionally. Hourly internship duties will occur from May 26, 2026 through August 14, 2026. Conditions of Employment: 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. Student might be exposed to strenuous outdoor working environments, long days in the field and driving, steep uneven terrain, biting stinging insects, and wildlife during field work. Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, long pants, long sleeve shirts, rain gear, , and other personal items related to hiking. Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado for 1-3 day-long trips, potentially requiring stays in hotels. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates for Colorado).

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 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.
Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, long pants, long sleeve shirts, rain gear, , and other personal items related to hiking.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado for 1-3 day-long trips, potentially requiring stays in hotels.

Nice To Haves

Pursuing a forestry or natural resource-related major.
Good written and oral communications.
Field experience and/or exposure to forestry and natural resources management.
Experience operating chainsaws, including official certification in chainsaw operation such as S-212.
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.
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.
Basic experience with ArcGIS Pro

Responsibilities

Review project documentation: Examine contract scopes of work and specifications to understand treatment objectives and performance standards.
Conduct field inspections: Evaluate contractor work for compliance with project specifications, focusing on treatment quality and adherence to safety protocols.
Document field activities: Capture photographs, take detailed notes, and collect GPS data to record contractor performance and treatment progress.
Report findings: Provide regular updates to the direct supervisor, highlighting contractor performance, challenges, and any corrective actions needed.
Timber sale preparation: Support the Grand Junction Forester in preparing GNA and Private Lands timber sales. Tasks include reconnaissance of sale areas, GPS mapping and boundary marking, and timber cruising using Mobile Map software.
Wildfire Risk Assessments: Collaborate with the Executive Director of the Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition to conduct Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) and defensible space assessments. The intern will use a rapid assessment tool to evaluate risk and assist with treatment layout.
Office duties may include field equipment maintenance, finalizing project inspection reports, analyzing cruise data, creating maps using GIS, literature searches and professional development related to project scopes, data management, and more.
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 1.5-day orientation session on Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026 either in person at the CSFS State Office on the Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, CO or virtually.

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).

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