Lead and analyst

Full job description

Position Location: Fort Collins, CO

Work Location: Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position: Yes

Posting Number: 202401735AP

Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title: Research Associate II

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Hours/Week: 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range: $66,000 - $68,000

Employee Benefits: Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

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Desired Start Date: 10/23/2024

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on: 10/16/2024

Description of Work Unit: Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities. The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is an interdisciplinary academic program uniquely poised to advance education, research, and outreach in wildland fire science.

Position Summary: The Hoffman Fire Science Lab is one of the only lab groups that develops, evaluates and utilizes a variety of remote sensing, field and physics and semi-physical Computational Fluid Dynamics models of fire behavior and effects in the U.S. Given that Hoffman is one of the few researchers utilizing these tools at academic institutions he is also a primary source for training users and works collaboratively with other organizations and scientists on these tools. The lab is currently involved with multiple initiatives that require the development, testing, and application of remote sensing products to support physics-based fire behavior models to assess wildland fire risk, fuel treatment effectiveness. Because of the highly technical and collaborative nature of utilizing both remote sensing and fire models for practical land management questions the incumbent should have a general knowledge of forestry, remote sensing, computer programming, and statistics and their use to address natural resource related scientific and management questions. The lead wildland fuel analysis is expected to contribute to collaborative research projects, and to the publication of peer-reviewed journal papers and non-technical products for a diverse audience. This Research Associate III position is specifically tasked with contributing to and developing a program of work that advances the remote sensing characterization of forest fuels, and the linkage of remote sensing with physics-based fire behavior modeling, wildland fire science, prescribed fire science, and forest and rangeland management through model development, testing, application and training. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and overseeing training using US, ALS and TLS remote sensing platforms within the Hoffman Lab, developing new model capabilities and functionality to support research initiatives, develop and conduct, in collaboration with Hoffman, experiments to meet research initiative objectives, written and oral communication of scientific results to diverse audiences.

Required Job Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in forestry, or a related field of study.
• Experience producing, managing, analyzing, remote sensing data collected from UAS, TLS and ALS.
• Experience in developing inputs for Firetec/QuicFire or WFDS/FDS modeling software.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• High level of computer competency and ability to work with diverse data (ecological, meteorological, physical).
• Expertise in developing workflows to process multiple remote sensing data types, across multiple software platforms. Programming experience, with Python, MATLAB or R, is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise of current U.S. forestry and wildland fire science and management questions and approaches.
• Familiarity with and ability to interpret field and remote sensing-based sampling methods and protocols for forestry and fire monitoring and research.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders outside the university setting.

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: Research

• Contribute to or lead discussions with lab members and research partners about research opportunities and approaches that support the lab’s program of work and strategic directions.
• Apply technical expertise as appropriate to carry out and complete tasks in coordination and collaboration with other lab members and partners to produce, analyze, and communicate scientific results.
• Co-author or lead scientific journal papers, technical reports, technical briefing papers and oral and poster presentations to managers, policymakers and the general public.

Percentage Of Time: 50%

Job Duty Category: Program and Project Management

• Establish and maintain communication with lab members and project partners to identify project goals, tasks, and deliverables, timeframe for completion of project tasks and deliverables, including estimates for personnel, travel, materials & supplies, and services.
• Contribute to lab organization, coordination, and communication to align personnel, resources, and activities to meet strategic and operational action plan goals, tasks, and deliverables as well as FAIR principles.
• Develop and ensure timely implementation of work plans specifying tasks and timelines for completion towards project deliverables.
• Identify “critical path” of tasks that require other lab members contributions and communicate with them about timeframes for completion.
• Conduct necessary travel to carry out project tasks.
• Submit expenses to WCNR Business Office in a timely manner.
• Assist Hoffman with training, and supervising lab members to conduct tasks and produce products contributing towards project deliverables.

Percentage Of Time: 40%

Job Duty Category: Professional Growth

• Work with Hoffman to set clear and actionable professional development goals.
• Identify opportunities for professional development.
• Participate in workshops, courses, and training to maintain and build new skills.

Percentage Of Time: 10%

Application Details:

Special Instructions to Applicants: To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License.

Search Contact: Sabrina Broderick,

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,

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,

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,

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.