Manager for the Northwest Area

Colorado State University•Steamboat Springs, CO

6d•$80,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Forestry Services, the Area Manager leads and manages an integrated, geographically dispersed team to deliver CSFS programs and services within an assigned Area. The role directs program implementation, interagency partnerships, and applied, science based forest management to achieve agency priorities. Area Managers have responsibility for the operations and the staff out of 3-6 field offices and satellite offices and are the direct supervisor for Supervisory Foresters.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree (or greater) in forestry, another natural resources program or related degree will be considered.
Eight (8)+ years of professional forestry experience (e.g., forest ecology/silviculture/management/planning; watershed protection; wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction).
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Nice To Haves

Four (4)+ years of progressively responsible administrative/program/project management experience in a natural resources environment.
Demonstrated experience managing complex program or field-office portfolios, including annual and long-range work planning, staff and resource allocation, multi-source budgets, grants, contracts, agreements, reporting, compliance, and quality control.
Knowledge of forest management, forest health, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, watershed protection, and community forestry; ability to provide applied, science‑based guidance.
Strong communication and partnership skills with local/state/federal officials, cooperators, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to oversee technical forestry program quality across multiple employees and projects, including reviewing work products, ensuring consistency with agency standards, approving technical approaches within delegated authority, and knowing when to elevate policy, personnel, technical, or interagency issues to senior leadership.
Proven ability to interpret senior agency leadership direction and apply it appropriately to unique local or regional situations, including complex staffing, partner, operational, technical, political, or community issues.
Demonstrated experience with employee performance management, including coaching, giving clear feedback, addressing performance concerns, supporting professional development, and helping employees improve technical, communication, judgment, or project-management skills through guidance, mentoring, training, or appropriate outside support.

Responsibilities

Lead Area operations and program delivery: set priorities, goals, and targets aligned with CSFS strategic direction; develop annual and long‑range work plans; ensure consistent delivery across field offices.
Supervise and develop staff (typically 3–7 Administrative Professional personnel, 1-3 State Classified personnel and 1–5 student/hourly employees); establish expectations, conduct performance reviews, mentor, and ensure a safe working environment.
Manage Area budgets and fiscal practices; ensure adherence to CSU/CSFS financial policies; track and report accomplishments/expenditures; ensure grants and service agreements are planned, implemented, certified, and reimbursed to agency standards.
Oversee Area infrastructure—facilities, vehicles, equipment, and IT/GIS tools—to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant operations.
Represent CSFS with local, county, state, and federal officials; cultivate partnerships; communicate Area and Agency priorities and outcomes.
Guide staff on professional forestry services (forest management, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, community forestry, outreach); review reports and geospatial data to inform adaptive management.
Serve on the CSFS Management Team to coordinate problem solving, budgeting, operating procedures, and resource allocation across program areas.
Other related duties.