CSFS Forest Legacy Program Intern

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 Forest Legacy Program Intern.

This intern will be based out of the CSU SPUR Campus (Denver, CO) in the CSFS Northeast Area and is directly supervised by Katie Rose Levin (Forest Legacy Program Specialist). The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) conserves environmentally, economically and socially important forests through land acquisition or the establishment of conservation easements. FLP also maintains GIS databases of participating properties, and performs annual inspections to ensure successful forest management. The intern will be involved in a range of tasks and projects associated with the summer monitoring season, including working in ArcGIS Pro to digitize management areas and infrastructure, perform on the ground verification of maps, visit sites to inspect forest management, and other tasks as assigned.

• Data digitization and management: Intern will work collaboratively with supervisor using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online to translate paper maps, deeds and aerial photographs into digital layers. Intern will then help field verify the digital layers on various FLP properties across the state; Intern will analyze maps and layers to ensure compliance with FLP documents.

• FLP compliance and management: Intern will travel to sites to ensure compliance with annual forest management plans and conservation easements; Intern will help promote FLP projects and work with various groups on translating materials to new and important audiences

• Interaction with landowners and other CSFS employees: Intern will travel all over the state and may be required to meet with various group collaboratives, private landowners and other CSFS employees to guide them through the monitoring process. In addition to their supervisor, interns may be asked to engage with others as part of monitoring and verification while in the field, and may need to contact landowners to gain access to certain properties.

• Travel: This position will require extended travel, usually 6 weeks of the internship. Hotel rooms, campsites and meals will be paid for during travel. Interns will return to CSU SPUR by the end of each week. Further we may switch to car camping for certain projects, especially if there are no reasonably-priced hotels close to our work sites. This will be dependent on projects selected for monitoring, but camping is something that we may do occasionally throughout the summer. There may be one trip which requires backpacking into a site.

• 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 1-4 day-long trips to CSFS field offices, potentially requiring stays in hotels. Approved lodging and per diem expenses are covered (see GSA CONUS rates for Colorado).

• Ability to walk long distances (over 6 miles a day) over rough terrain at high elevation carrying packs and equipment

• 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.

• Intern will be supervised by Katie Rose Levin, Forest Legacy Program Specialist.

• 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 GIS, 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. 

• Preference is given to students in a forestry or natural resource-related major, preferably with a GIS component.

• Good written and oral communications.

• Field experience and/or exposure to forestry and natural resources management.

• 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.

Please submit applications by 11:59 p.m. MST on Friday, February 6, 2026. You must submit a separate application for each position you are interested in being considered for, but can use the same cover letter for all applications (see specific information required in the cover letter below). Include the following information in your application packet:

1. Cover letter – The cover letter must include the following information:

• The CSFS internship position(s) you are applying for (indicate each specific position title listed in the overview). The above position description is for CSFS Forest Legacy Program Intern.

• Your interest in and qualifications for each of the positions for which you are applying. Please provide at least 2-3 sentences for each position explaining why you are applying for that position.

2. Resume

3. Unofficial undergraduate transcripts

4. Names and contact information for 3 professional references.

For questions regarding the position or program, please contact:

Kristen Switzer
Experiential Learning Specialist
Colorado State Forest Service
[email protected]
(802) 345-7523

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.