Research Associate III: Forest and Climate Adaptation Policy - Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 3 days ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 29 Apr 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Research Associate III: Forest and Climate Adaptation Policy - Fort Collins, CO
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202400468AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $68,000-$80,000
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, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/29/2024
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
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 Department is also home to the Public Lands Policy Group, a research group focused on US public lands policy and governance that produces original research to inform the practice of natural resource management and advance understanding of policy developments that affect public lands. Dr. Schultz also is the PI and Team Lead for the Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP) at CSU, which coordinates and accelerates interdisciplinary research and facilitates science-informed, just, and holistic social and ecological adaptation policies in a changing climate.
Position Summary
A Research Associate III position is open in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. 
The Research Associate with the will work in close coordination with Dr. Schultz and as part of the CSU Public Lands Policy Group and Climate Adaptation Partnership. This position will focus on applied forest policy research, grant writing related to climate adaptation and land management, and lead or assist with teaching natural resource policy at the undergraduate level. The allocation of program management, grant writing, research, and teaching will depend on both staffing needs and the candidate’s interests and goals. We seek a person to design and conduct applied research on aspects of a Joint Fire Science Program-funded project focused on post-fire preparedness, particularly for watershed management, in the context of forest and fire management and climate adaptation planning. 
The research associate will collaborate on this project with a team of researchers within and external to CSU . This person also will work with the Climate Adaptation Partnership leadership team to craft research proposals and help coordinate other CAP activities . Policy research more generally will be based on literature reviews, workshops with partners, and interviews or surveys with managers to be shared through peer-reviewed publications, practitioner networks, and directly with policymakers. The incumbent will be tasked with taking a largely independent role in conducting these activities and assisting in the preparation of focus groups, workshops, white papers, and peer-reviewed publications through background research and literature review, partner engagement, and social science data collection, analysis, and reporting. The RA III will take a senior role in the Public Lands Policy Group to guide policy outreach and communicate with other interested audiences. The incumbent may have the opportunity to lead grant-writing to secure future funding and will likely take on teaching courses, such as Natural Resource History and Policy.
Required Job Qualifications
  • M.S. in natural resource policy or a related field and a minimum of two years of closely related professional experience or Ph.D. in natural resource policy or a related field.
  • Expertise in collecting and analyzing social science data for natural resource policy research projects.
  • Expertise in US public policy, with a specific knowledge of federal forest and fire management policy.
  • Experience teaching or mentoring undergraduate students.
  • 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.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative social science research, from data collection through analysis and publication.
  • Experience writing reports for land and natural resource management and associated policy making audiences
  •  Experience working in policy analysis with policymakers and advocates.
  • Demonstrated record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Experience with grant-writing and fundraising.
  • Experience teaching natural resource policy and management courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.
  • Additional relevant practical experience or academic study, including a PhD, especially in public land, forest and fire management, or climate adaptation planning.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as evidenced by professional activities.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Project development and implementation:
Duty/Responsibility
Project development:
  • Identify key assumptions and theories of forest management/climate adaptation and empirical support for those assumptions to develop policy and literature reviews.
  • Determine the structure and direction of written materials to support future publications.
  • Design research, including interview guides, surveys, and sample design.


Project implementation:
  • Develop project management strategies and execute these.
  • Develop interview questions, identify potential case studies, and work to identify sample for research on fire management.
  • Conduct interviews and/or surveys and analyze data.
  • Develop written reports and peer-reviewed publications based on both literature review and data collection.
  • Help to supervise other research assistants.
Percentage Of Time 60
Job Duty Category Outreach:
Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop webinars if/when requested.
  • Present at relevant conferences.
  • Meet with land managers to deliver findings.
Percentage Of Time 10
Job Duty Category Teaching and Mentorship:
Duty/Responsibility
  • Design course materials and deliver in-class instruction.
  • Provide advising to undergraduates and graduate students working in natural resource policy.
Percentage Of Time 30

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than April 29, 2024 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:
  • Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the ‘Cover Letter’ slot.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts (for each degree earned that is listed under qualifications) uploaded in the ‘Official Transcripts’ or ‘Unofficial Transcripts’ slot.
  • Degree Conferral (copy of diploma if transcripts do not include confirmation that degree was awarded) uploaded in the ‘Other’ slot.
  • References – please include within your application contact information for 3 professional references including at least one supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.


    • 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.
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
    Search Contact Courtney Schultz, [email protected]
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    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.

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