CFRI and the Public Lands Policy group are searching for a policy-focused research associate to work on federal forest and climate policy at Colorado State University (CSU). The Research Associate III will work in close coordination with Dr. Courtney Schultz as part of the CSU Public Lands Policy Group and Climate Adaptation Partnership, and with Dr. Tony Cheng as part of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute. This position will focus on applied policy analysis and partner engagement. We seek a person to organize policy workshops, conduct applied research, and develop policy proposals and analyses related to forest and fire management. 

Policy analyses 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 research associate 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. Focal areas include aspects of federal fire management, with an emphasis on improving decision-making around prescribed fire, forest restoration investments, post-fire recovery, fire management in the wildland-urban Interface, and cross-boundary and partnership efforts associated with federal fire management.

The RA III will take a senior role in the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and in the Public Lands Policy Group to guide policy outreach and communicate with other interested audiences. Depending on interest, the incumbent may take on small teaching and advising assignments or other activities, as the opportunities within our groups are rich and diverse. This is a one-year position with possibility of extension depending on funding availability.

CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.

To Apply: To apply and view a full position announcement please visit: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/85640. To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by Sunday, April 25, 2021.

A core mission of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute is to provide opportunities for CSU undergraduate and graduate students to get hands on experience in the field of restoration ecology research through paid work, internships, and independent study projects.  Hiring for the summer field crew typically occurs mid-spring; however, interested students are encouraged to contact Katarina Warnick (katarina@rams.colostate.edu) to inquire about future opportunities or other ways to get involved in forest restoration ecology at CSU.