Research Associate in Forest and Fire Governance

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 06 Sep 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Research Associate in Forest and Fire Governance
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201209AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $52,000-$64,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 11/01/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 09/06/2022
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.
Position Summary
The Research Associate III 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 fire and forest governance research, grant writing related to climate adaptation and land management, and possibly teaching natural resource policy at the undergraduate level. We seek a person to design and conduct applied research on aspects of collaborative governance in the context of forest and fire management, Indigenous fire governance, post-fire policy and governance, and climate adaptation planning processes. This person also will work with the Climate Adaptation Partnership leadership team in a support role, with opportunities to develop or contribute to research products and proposals. Policy research will be based on literature reviews, workshops with partners, and interviews or surveys with managers, stakeholders, and rights-holders 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. Depending on interest, the incumbent may take on teaching and advising assignments or other activities. This is a one-year position with possibility of extension depending on funding availability.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in natural resource policy or a related field plus two years of related experience.
  • Expertise in collecting and analyzing social science data for natural resource policy research projects.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative social science research, from data collection through analysis and publication.
  • Expertise in US public policy, with knowledge of federal forest and fire management policy.
  • Experience writing reports for land and natural resource management and associated policy making audiences.
  • Experience working with Indigenous people in the United States on natural resource and environmental management.
  • 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, in public land management/policy/history, Indigenous studies, forest and fire management, or climate adaptation planning.
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 on fire management planning, including interview guides 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 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 20
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 20

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Application materials consist of the following:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter describing interest in conducting independent applied research and experience related to all qualifications (both required and preferred)
  • Short writing sample
  • Contact information for three professional references
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    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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