The Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, in partnership with CFRI, is hiring a MS-researcher: Justice in Colorado Post-fire Reforestation Projects

Application Details: apply by April 17, 2024, for full consideration

Start Date: Fall 2024

Stipend: The Research Assistant stipend is $2,529/month monthly (subject to change at the University level) based on part-time work (20 hours/week) on the project, plus health insurance for two years. Summer funding will also be provided for at least 20 hours/week of work on the project (more if funding allows).

Project Description:
Wildfire is a beneficial process that sustains resilient forests in Colorado but can also lead to negative post-fire hazards for society and natural resources, such as flash floods, soil erosion, and debris flows that impact municipal water supply infrastructure and water quality. Restoration projects are commonly implemented immediately after wildfire to reduce these impacts and will continue to be needed for decades to come. The effectiveness of a restoration project may be assessed from multiple perspectives such as
economic, physical or social. While some research has been conducted on the social and community dimensions of pre-fire planning and mitigation, little is known about how impacted communities perceive the effectiveness of post-fire projects.

The student researcher will combine quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the effectiveness of post-fire restoration e􀆯orts in Colorado over the past 10 years using a justice lens. The work will involve GIS mapping and database compilation of post-fire impacts to water supply systems, stakeholder mapping, document analysis and community-based interviews with water utilities, watershed coalitions and other stakeholders. Field work for collection of qualitative data (e.g., interviews) will be conducted primarily during the summer of 2025.

Application details:
To apply, please send the following documents (as a single pdf) by April 17, 2024 to tamee.albrecht@colostate.edu:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and how the position relates to your career goals (max 2 pages)
• CV or resume
• Name and contact information for two professional references
• Writing sample as sole or lead author (optional but encouraged)