CSFS La Veta Field Office Intern

Colorado State University • La Veta, CO

2d • $18 • Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary Full consideration date: 2/6/2026 Work unit description: 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 La Veta Field Office Intern. This intern will be based out of the La Veta Field Office (La Veta, CO) in the CSFS Southeast Area and is directly supervised by Ashley Selee (Forester). This office serves Huerfano and Las Animas counties and is staffed by the Southeast Area Manager, Supervisory Forester, Lead Project Forester, and Forester. We are seeking student interns who are professional, self-directed, innovative, and energetic. Essential Job Duties Assist with wide range of programs within the CSFS agency, including private and public landowner projects, including: project layout assistance (timber/boundary marking), shadowing project administration, timber cruising, grant administration, landowner property walkthroughs, insect and disease assessments, and hands-on work with potential slash piling, chipping, and other activities. Office work will include: shadowing all levels of programmatic functions, assisting in data processing and entry, management recommendation development, spatial data work and GeoTracks recording, landowner and public outreach. Training opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/CPR Certification, chainsaw training, Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) training, forest measurements, and more. 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 poisonous plants, biting stinging insects, and wildlife during field work. Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag, and other personal items related to camping and 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). 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 or virtually. There may also be optional First Aid/CPR courses offered that week regionally. 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. Hourly internship duties will occur from May 26, 2026, through August 14, 2026. Supervision Intern will be supervised by Ashley Selee, Supervisory Forester.

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, rain gear, sleeping bag, and other personal items related to camping and 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, public speaking experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist with wide range of programs within the CSFS agency, including private and public landowner projects, including: project layout assistance (timber/boundary marking), shadowing project administration, timber cruising, grant administration, landowner property walkthroughs, insect and disease assessments, and hands-on work with potential slash piling, chipping, and other activities.
• Office work will include: shadowing all levels of programmatic functions, assisting in data processing and entry, management recommendation development, spatial data work and GeoTracks recording, landowner and public outreach.
• Training opportunities may include but are not limited to: First Aid/CPR Certification, chainsaw training, Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) training, forest measurements, and more.
• 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 or virtually.
• 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.
• Hourly internship duties will occur from May 26, 2026, through August 14, 2026.

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