CSFS RamCorps Member, Alamosa Field Office

Colorado State University • Alamosa, CO

3d • $14

About The Position

This AmeriCorps Member will be based in Alamosa, Colorado as part of the Field Office staff. The AmeriCorps Member will be involved in field data collection for wildfire risk mitigation, timber sales, urban forestry 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 outside 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 three-quarter national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the service year (approximately 40 hours/week). The position begins in March 2026 and ends in November 2026. The work schedule for this position requires frequent travel. Please see Essential Duties below for details. Members will frequently work long hours with occasional evening and weekend duties (work based on a 40-hour work week) Location and Service Conditions The position is based in Alamosa, Colorado and will involve frequent days of service outdoors with some computer/office work at the Field Office. Duties will include hiking off-trail in rugged terrain and inclement weather. Most travel will include provided transportation between the Field Office and field sites. Duties will revolve around data collection in the field. Member will be exposed to biting/stinging insects, and wildlife during field work. The member will receive training in field safety. The Alamosa Field Office covers the rural San Luis Valley, with a population of 44,000, which includes Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. The Field Office provides the full range of CSFS services to the San Luis Valley. The office is located in Alamosa, a full service community of 10,000 people, including Adams State University, Trinidad State Junior College and a regional airport. The San Luis Valley typically experiences relatively cool summers and long cold winters. Portions of the La Garita, Sangre de Cristo and Weminuche wilderness areas are located within the SLV and elevation ranges from 7,500 to over 14,000 feet. The SLV contains rich forest diversity of pinon/juniper vegetation on the valley floor to high country spruce-fir and lodgepole pine forests stretching to tree line. With more than 500,000 acres of public land, the SLV offers towering mountain ranges, flat prairies, icy mountain streams, geothermal wells feeding hot springs and spas, rough and tumble rodeos, tranquil evenings in the parks, large expanses of dark skies, free concerts, eclectic music venues, roaring motocross and auto races, tourist trains and historic downtown buildings, and shops filled with unique items to see and buy. The Alamosa Field Office covers the rural San Luis Valley, with a population of 44,000, which includes Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. The Field Office provides the full range of CSFS services to the San Luis Valley. The office is located in Alamosa, a full service community of 10,000 people, including Adams State University, Trinidad State Junior College and a regional airport. Members will be expected to purchase/use personal gear suitable for working outdoors in variable weather conditions and rugged terrain. AmeriCorps members are required to wear AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service. The member serving in this role must have a willingness to work long hours with occasional evening and weekend duties (work based on a 40-hour work week). Training and Support Provided Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 180 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Adam Moore, CSFS Field Office Staff, as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager, [email protected]. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other. Members should participate in on-going trainings and events as required and requested by AmeriCorps, CSU Extension, and/or partner organizations Training may include – Chainsaw certification, UTV training, Wildland firefighting, First Aid & CPR

Requirements

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be able to perform strenuous outdoor work and carry backpacks with 25+pounds of work and personal gear across steep terrain in all inclement weather conditions.
• Proven management and organization skills including: Time management skills, computer skills: familiarity with MS Office 365, especially Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Zoom, learning and retaining complex information with accuracy and following procedures consistently and with attention to detail, working independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be at least 18 years old at start of service.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in forestry or natural resources.
• Demonstrated ability to complete physically demanding tasks in extreme weather conditions.
• One season of field experience in forestry, landscaping or working outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cross border partner timber sale administration and vegetation management, including Good Neighbor Authority projects with the Rio Grande National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.. Tasks may include assisting with layout, cruising stands for volume, inventory, boundary delineation, and marking of forest treatments.
• Help with re-flagging boundaries, checking on contractors and post-treatment surveys
• Meet with partners to determine resource concerns and joint project opportunities.
• Provide wildfire mitigation education and engagement with private landowners. Tasks may include marking defensible spaces for fuels reduction, conducting wildfire risk assessments, and facilitating community education meetings.
• Regular meetings with landowners will include discussing forest health, assessing their management options, and identifying factors affecting defensible space.
• Utilize mapping software to assess risks and inform management options. Tasks may include using FieldMaps to map and assess wildfire risk on developed and undeveloped lots.
• Using ArcGIS Pro (training available), produce project maps, analyze new project opportunities, and update georeferenced PDF maps of field sites and prepare existing data for use in FieldMaps.
• Complete ongoing project work in a timely manner, including assisting with defensible space projects, forest thinning, tree planting, and urban tree inventories.

Benefits

• A living allowance of approximately $777.14 for (three-quarter time) per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $16,320.00 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $5,176.50 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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED