Senior Research Associate and Assistant Director of Programs

Posting Detail Information Working TitleSenior Research Associate and Assistant Director of Programs Position LocationFort Collins, CO Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional PositionYes Posting Number202500935AP Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional Classification TitleSr Research Associate Number of Vacancies Work Hours/Week40 Proposed Annual Salary Range$110,000 - $120,000 Employee Benefits 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 ( ! Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on07/14/2025 Description of Work Unit The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is interdisciplinary with programs of emphasis in forestry, fire science, fire management, natural resource policy/planning, rangeland ecology, and restoration ecology. The Department's faculty and staff support the Warner College of Natural Resources ( WCNR ) and the University in fulfilling the Land Grant Mission in these programmatic areas. The Department offers undergraduate majors in Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, and Natural Resources Management in addition to master of science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, and a Master's in Natural Resource Stewardship degree. The Warner College is home to five academic departments and several centers and institutes such as the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, the WESTFIRE Research Center, the Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. These programs, institutes and centers provide a foundation for research, education and outreach in this field. The Colorado Forest Restoration Institution ( CFRI ) is a Congressionally-authorized program within the Department of Forest & Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University. CFRI was established in 2004 by Congress (PL108-317) as one of three state-based ecological restoration institutes in the Southwest with the with the mission to develop, compile, synthesize, and apply locally-relevant science-based knowledge to achieve forest restoration and wildfire mitigation goals. In 2005, the state governors and presidents of the three universities signed a charter committing state and university support for the mission of the institutes. Roughly half of CFRI annual budget currently comes from Congressional funding, leveraged with state and university support, other project agreements, competitive grants, and philanthropic gifts. The geographic focus of the Institute is the State of Colorado, the U.S. Southwest, and the U.S. Intermountain West. Visit the CFRI website for more info about our mission and work. Position Summary This Senior Research Associate and Assistant Director position is tasked with providing leadership in overseeing the development, implementation, and sustainability of CFRI's program of work that advances scientific knowledge and practice of collaborative decision support processes in the Rocky Mountain West. The incumbent will be responsible for cultivating, sustaining and growing collaborative relationships with individuals and entities with authority and responsibility over forest resilience and fire management spanning boundaries between knowledge development and knowledge application that results in securing funding and serving as Principal Investigator on applied projects. The position creates and directs processes for developing, synthesizing, publishing, and applying locally relevant social science and knowledge in collaborative forest and fire adaptive management with research peers, managers, and other interested and affected entities. The position works closely with the CFRI leadership team to develop, direct, and implement processes to coordinate other program area leaders to achieve organization wide alignment of conceptual direction across projects, ensure connection and appropriate synergies across projects, and identify efficiencies or potential add-ons, additional funding, and external partners. To be successful the incumbent must be: passionate about the mission of the CFRI ; eager to interact with funders; able to understand the need for, and have expertise in, producing relevant information for affected entities and funders while also pursuing applied scholarly activities that anticipate future information needs in the applied social science and collaborative decision support arena; and, able to inspire, lead, and manage staff. Required Job Qualifications + Must be a CSU employee. + Master's degree in a natural resource-related social science (e.g., anthropology, sociology, political science, forestry) and/or management program with significant job-related experience. + Demonstrated expertise and experience in developing and implementing collaborative monitoring, research, and adaptive management activities regarding social science aspects of collaborative forest management and spatial wildfire planning across multiple geographic scales and management decisions + Working knowledge of the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes and ability to effectively advance the mission to demonstrate and promote adaptive ecosystem management for wildfire risk reduction and forest restoration + Demonstrated expertise in U.S. federal forest policy, planning, and management decision-making processes. Preferred Job Qualifications + Expertise in social science theories, methods, and approaches typically deployed in forest and fire social-ecological systems contexts. + Demonstrated expertise in hiring, training, and overseeing personnel to contribute to project deliverables. + Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with audiences ranging from academic researchers, forest and fire managers, policy makers, and public audiences. + Evidence of authorship on published peer-review scientific journal papers and technical reports, especially within fields of forest and wildfire social science and decision support tools. + Demonstrated experience developing and implementing boundary spanning programs within forestry and wildfire fields that connects concepts and actions across organizational and jurisdictional boundaries; subject matter disciplines; research, management, and policy knowledge systems; and cultural boundaries. + Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, program and project management, and organizational leadership + Have, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license by the start of employment or access to a driver to conduct short notice personal travel. Essential Duties Job Duty CategoryProgram and Project Development and Strategic Planning Duty/Responsibility + Cultivate, establish and maintain communication with individuals and organizations involved in forest and fire management to collaboratively identify strategic goals, needs, and opportunities for CFRI's roles and contributions in co-producing actionable knowledge and collaborative adaptive management. + In partnership with the Director and leadership team, direct and oversee internal efforts of CFRI program focal areas to ensure internal consistency, support alignment with CFRI's mission and partner needs, and facilitate synergies across program areas. + Develop and implement strategies and tactics to meet project deliverables and reporting requirements within and across CFRI program areas. + Develop and submit proposals and corresponding administrative paperwork as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator to secure funding for organizational activities and projects related to collaborative decision support and adaptive management in forest and fire management. + Cultivate and maintain communication with CFRI team members to collaboratively identify and determine strategic goals, needs, and opportunities aligned with CFRI partners' strategic goals, needs, and opportunities. + Sustain productive working relationships with government agencies and other interested and affected entities defined in SWERI legislation to attract and secure funding. + Identify and develop opportunities to partner with other organizations to solve complex problems and identify solutions relating to collaborative readiness, resilience, and adaptive management in forest and wildfire collaborative decision-making. + Coordinate closely with the CFRI Director and leadership team to align responsibilities for shared CFRI oversight, leadership, and organizational sustainability. Percentage Of Time45 Job Duty CategoryProgram and Project Management Duty/Responsibility + Direct or co-lead the development and implementation of work plans specifying tasks and timelines for completion towards project deliverables, including coordinating with other CFRI staff. + Apply technical expertise as appropriate to carry out and complete tasks. + Conduct necessary travel to field sites to carry out project tasks. + Submit expenses to WCNR Business Office in a timely manner. + Evaluate and communicate knowledge from CFRI monitoring and research results through oral presentations to project partners and professional audiences, and through written products, such as technical reports, project briefing papers, and popular media. + Assist the Director and leadership team in hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising CFRI staff to conduct tasks and produce products contributing towards project deliverables. Percentage Of Time30 Job Duty CategoryApplied Research Duty/Responsibility + Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest science relevant to collaborative decision support, collaborative adaptive management, and use-inspired research in forest and fire management. + Lead and contribute to discussions with CFRI team members and research partners about basic and applied research opportunities and research designs, analytical methods, and presentation of results that support CFRI programs of work and strategic directions. + Lead or co-author refereed scientific journal papers, technical reports to managers and collaborative partners, and non-technical briefing papers to policymakers and the general public. + Direct and implement the evaluation and communication of knowledge from CFRI monitoring and research results through oral presentations to project partners and professional audiences. Percentage Of Time25 Application Details Special Instructions to Applicants Interested applicants must submit a current resume which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than July 14, 2025 for full consideration. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted. Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of: + Resume CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact. 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. Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires) Search ContactBrett Wolk, ... EEO 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. Background Check Policy Statement 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. References Requested References Requested Minimum Requested0 Maximum Requested0 Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Applicant Documents Required Documents + Resume Optional Documents