Drive Statewide Impact on Forests & Watersheds – Join Us as the Manager of Program Delivery at the Colorado State Forest Service!

Do you thrive at the intersection of leadership, collaboration, and natural resource management? The Colorado State Forest Service is seeking a Manager of Program Delivery to help shape the future of forest and watershed health across Colorado. This is a unique opportunity to lead statewide initiatives, oversee high-impact programs, and guide a team that is driving meaningful change on the ground. Apply Now!

Location: Based in Fort Collins, CO – with the flexibility of a hybrid schedule!

Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 (based on experience)

The Role

Reporting to the Associate Director of Forest Planning and Implementation, the Manager of Program Delivery provides leadership, oversight, and technical expertise for some of CSFS’s most important statewide programs—including the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), Watershed Management, and cooperative agreements with partners such as water providers, NGOs, and non-federal agencies.

This position serves as a statewide leader, ensuring programs are effectively planned, implemented, and evaluated. The Manager will represent CSFS with federal, state, and local partners, provide policy guidance, oversee program budgets, and administer grants and contracts. They will also supervise program specialists and play a critical role in mentoring and developing their team.

As a member of the CSFS Management Team, the Manager of Program Delivery will help coordinate work across divisions to ensure agency-wide efficiency, effectiveness, and cohesive outcomes that support CSFS’s mission of stewarding Colorado’s diverse forest environments for present and future generations.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the lead contact with external agency leadership for GNA and Watershed Management.
• Develop statewide strategies, interpret policy, and guide program formulation and implementation.
• Support program specialists in delivering successful outcomes across assigned program areas.
• Collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to expand program reach and impact.
• Administer program budgets, grants, contracts, and accomplishment reporting.
• Represent CSFS on state and regional committees, ensuring Colorado’s forests and watersheds have a strong voice.
• Supervise, mentor, and build a high-performing team of program specialists and staff.
• Contribute to agency-wide planning, decision-making, and resource management as part of the CSFS Management Team.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a motivated and innovative leader who can balance big-picture vision with operational details. The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in forestry and/or natural resource program administration.
• Strong program management skills, including budgeting, strategic planning, and reporting.
• Experience managing grants, contracts, or agreements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of forest and watershed management, particularly in the Western U.S.
• A valid Colorado driver’s license (or ability to obtain one upon hire).

Bonus Points For

• Experience with the Good Neighbor Authority and project implementation.
• Knowledge of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and watershed issues.
• Experience with post-fire watershed rehabilitation.
• A proven ability to identify and develop new program opportunities.

Why Join Us

At the CSFS, you’ll be part of a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, innovation, and stewardship. You’ll work with dedicated colleagues, diverse partners, and communities across Colorado to make a tangible impact on the health of our forests and watersheds. This position also offers opportunities for leadership growth, professional development, and the chance to help shape statewide natural resource policy and delivery.

Why Choose Colorado State Forest Service?

We not only value our forests; we also value our employees. Joining our team comes with incredible benefits:

• Identity Wear Stipend: Elevate your professional image with a stipend for personalized wear.
• Work-Life Harmony: Achieve optimal work-life integration through tailored and flexible scheduling options.
• Connectivity Privilege: Stay seamlessly connected with either a cell phone allowance or a provided work cell.
• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Time-Off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave earned each year.
• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Prioritize your well-being with access to exclusive and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Time-Off: Recharge with 15 days of sick leave and 24 days of annual leave earned each year.
• Retirement Plan: Secure your financial future with a remarkable 12% employer contribution to your retirement plan.
• Assistance Program: Access premium well-being resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills through personalized professional training opportunities facilitated by CSU.
• Educational Empowerment: Receive 9 hours of education credits annually through CSU.
• Tuition Privileges for Family: Secure your family's future with 50% off tuition for children, partner, and spouse.
• Community Leadership Initiative: Give back to your community with paid administrative leave dedicated to volunteering.