Job Announcement: Forestry Program Manager

Overview

Larimer Conservation District (LCD) is a locally led special district of the state of Colorado and based in Fort Collins. LCD’s mission is to identify and treat priority resource concerns within the district boundaries to promote and improve ecosystem health & resilience. LCD’s primary program areas revolve around watershed restoration, conservation education, and sustainable agriculture.

LCD staff work with private landowners/managers as well as federal, state, and local partners, using the best-available science to provide education and plan & implement forest restoration projects to achieve a landscape scale impact on forest ecosystems and communities in Larimer County. The vision behind this program is to implement a program of work to enhance upper watershed habitats, improve resilience of these systems to the impacts of future fires and floods, and build social license for the program of work across our local communities.

The Forestry Program Manager provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and technical direction for the District’s Forestry Program. This role is accountable for the program’s overall performance including project delivery, financial management, team leadership, and long-term sustainability & growth.

As a member of the District’s leadership, the Program Manager sets program goals, drives execution, and ensures all forestry initiatives are delivered with a high level of quality, compliance, and impact. This position serves as the District’s subject matter expert on forestry-related issues and represents the program in regional partnerships, funding initiatives, and public engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

● Direct and continuously refine the forestry program to align with District & community priorities

● Design and continuously improve systems, processes, and tools to support program effectiveness and efficiency

● Establish program goals, performance metrics, and accountability systems to ensure effective delivery and measurable outcomes

● Advise District leadership towards strategic decision-making related to program growth, service expansion, and long-term sustainability

● Serve as the District’s lead authority on forest health, wildfire mitigation, and related natural resource concerns

● Serve as a member of LCD’s leadership, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, budgeting & grant strategy, cross-program coordination, and decision-making

Program Oversight & Delivery

● Oversee the full life cycle of forestry and fuels mitigation projects from development through implementation and closeout

● Ensure all projects are executed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable standards, contracts, and safety requirements

● Establish project management systems, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance practices

● Maintain accountability for field operations, including site assessments, inspections, and project certification

● Identify and propose solutions to program-level financial, operational, and safety risks

● Provide compliance oversight to policy, contracts, safety, and other procedures

Financial & Grant Management

● Lead the identification, development, and acquisition of funding from federal, state, and private sources

● Direct program-specific grant development efforts, including scope definition, budgeting, and proposal preparation

● Oversee post-award grant management, ensuring compliance, reporting accuracy, and timely reimbursement

● Develop and manage program and project budgets; ensure strong fiscal controls and financial accountability; provide financial insight and recommendations to District leadership

Technical & Regulatory Oversight

● Ensure the delivery of high-quality technical assistance and conservation planning, including oversight of Farm Bill program implementation (e.g., EQIP, CSP)

● Maintain accountability for compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements for the forestry program

● Serves as LCD’s program-level contact to NRCS and other regulatory and funding partners Team Leadership & Management

● Lead, supervise, and develop forestry program staff, seasonal crews, and contractors

● Establish clear expectations, monitor performance, and ensure staff are supported in delivering high-quality work

● Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and collaboration

● Advocate for appropriate staffing, workload management, and professional development

● Maintain field presence to ensure quality control and informed decision making

Partnerships & Representation

● Build and maintain strategic partnerships with landowners, agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders for the forestry program

● Represent the program and/or District in regional collaborations, public forums, and inter-agency initiatives

● Provide leadership in outreach, education, and public communication related to forest management, forest health, and wildfire mitigation

● Develop and manage contractor networks and procurement strategies to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and scalability

And other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience)

● Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in forestry, fuels management, or conservation

● Minimum 3 years of supervisory and team leadership experience

● Demonstrated program and project management experience, including budgeting, contracts, grant management, and multi-stakeholder coordination

● Proven success securing and managing grants and external funding

● Strong knowledge of Colorado’s forest ecosystems and wildfire mitigation practices

● Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills

● Willingness to maintain regular in-office hours and participate in evening and weekend events

Preferred Qualifications

● Demonstrated experience with Federal Farm Bill programs, Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation planning, and USDA Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority and Wyden Amendment.

● Experience working with or within a Conservation District or with a board of supervisors

● Knowledge of Colorado-specific forestry programs, funding sources, and wood utilization markets

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Status

Salary: Commensurate with experience, starting salary will range from $75,000 to $85,000. The position is full time. Employment agreement is subject to a one year probationary period and is renewable annually, dependent on performance and funding.

Benefits:

● Employer-paid health, vision, & dental insurance plan available (employee only)

● 3% Simple IRA retirement match after first $5,000 earned

● PTO prorated accrual of 15 days per year for first two years of service, increasing to a maximum of 25 days per year after 8 years of service

● Sick leave accrual of 4.33 hours/pay period

● 11 paid Federal Holidays

● Flexible schedule options

● District smart phone

Application Process

We invite all interested persons to learn more about LCD’s Forest Restoration Program on our website, www.larimercd.org. No phone calls please. For questions about the position, please email Gretchen Reuning, Executive Director, at gretchen@larimercd.org.

To apply, please compile the following application materials into one (1) PDF document, with the file name “LastName_FirstInitial_FPM26”and submit by email to gretchen@larimercd.org:

• Cover letter

• Current resumé

• List of three (3) employment references

A federal background check will be utilized as a contingency for employment. Interviews will be conducted to select the employee.

Preference will be given to applications received by May 25, 2026, though the position will remain open until filled.

Larimer Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.