Social science researcher supporting the wildland fire, natural resource management, and national security communities. Current individual research and areas of interest:- Long-term forest and watershed resilience related to wildland fire; public safety implications of wildland fire management.- Protected area management’s role in biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development.- Environmental peacebuilding, the relationship between natural resources and conflict prevention, mitigation, and recovery, with an emphasis on fragile and post-conflict states.- Reducing the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance to civilian populations.Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officer (Department of Defense), Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (HR 218, 2004) as Amended by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (Section 926C), 2017 to present.

Limited Commissioned Ranger in the county's Department of Natural Resources:- Served in the Horsetooth Ranger District with the following responsibilities: public safety, resource stewardship, hosting the visiting public, education, and property maintenance.- Conducted patrols by foot, bicycle, and vehicle; as necessary, served as a crew member on a 21 ft. patrol boat.

Adjunct Instructor in an academic department dedicated to the education and involvement of diverse publics in natural resource decisions. The department's area of study focuses on understanding and attending to the needs and values of humans, human society, and culture as they relate to the natural environment: - Instructor for an undergraduate course that examined the principles of natural resource tourism.

Affiliate member focused on social science aspects of natural resource issues:- Conducted research and instruction in an academic department which contributes to informed decision making while conveying an understanding of the way humans value, use, and depend on the natural environment.

Associate Director of the university's Office of Defense Engagement (ODE):- Served as the first Associate Director of a new special office that facilitates collaborative opportunities, distributes information, and provides assistance to benefit the national security and academic communities through shared interests, expertise, and cooperation.

Served as the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) Disaster Cycle Services program lead and interim U.S. Army Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) Training Services coordinator.- Developed the draft KMC Chapter's Disaster Response Plan; supported the 2021 U.S. interagency and international Afghanistan evacuation operation (Operation Allies Welcome); provided health and comfort items to Afghan evacuees at Ramstein Air Force Base and the U.S. Army Rhine Ordnance Barracks; assisted with commodity reception, organization, and distribution.

Conducted a 32-day public administration project in Portugal (March-April, 2022), working with the national-level Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management (AGIF). Interviewed public and private stakeholders in the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR) on a variety of wildland fire-related topics. The agency used results to develop a communication strategy and engagement initiatives promoting SGIFR implementation.https://warnercnr.source.colostate.edu/czaja-completes-fulbright-to-aid-portuguese-wildfire-responses/https://fulbright-chronicles.com/issues/1-4/fulbright-specialists-in-a-time-of-change/

- Served as a program specialist in the Disaster Assistance Support Program, a cooperative program between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.- Performed duties as an interagency Humanitarian Assistance Advisor to the Military supporting a unified combatant command staff; facilitated the shipment of relief commodities from Ramstein AFB, Germany, to Lebanon in support of the U.S. Government's August, 2020, Beirut Port Explosion response.- Served as an instructor for the nine-module Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC); the JHOC discusses the relationship between the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and the U.S. military, preparing participants to work collaboratively during humanitarian assistance/disaster response (HA/DR) operations.

Volunteer member of the Sheriff Office's Support Services Section, Public Information Cadre:- Created and disseminated consistent, useful, and legal publications that informed the general public about office actions and other relevant happenings within Larimer County.- Duties included writing and publishing media releases, as well as releasing statements through broadcast and social media.- Served as a weekend, on-call Public Information Officer.

Certified as a volunteer Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT 2), IAW the Wildland Fire Qualification System, 2009-2018. Public Information Officer (PIOF) trainee with National Wildfire Coordinating Group task book, 2012-2018.

Participated in patrol and public engagement activities within the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.Detected and suppressed fires while patrolling in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests; assessed fire size and potential; provided technical expertise on fire prevention and protection; made public contact on fire prevention issues; when tasked, supported Forest Protection Officer functions, to include site and equipment inspections and documenting safety or regulatory violations.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship.- Participated in a U.S. Forest Service-funded study examining sociopolitical factors influencing wildland fire policy development; co-authored a summary report, "Incentives or Disincentives to Integrate Fire, as a Critical Natural Process, into Land and Resource Management Plans and Activities (FS Agreement No. 14-JV-11330143-050)."

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources.- Participated in a National Science Foundation-funded study examining the impact of a natural disturbance agent on water quality and quantity (Award #1204787).- Conducted human dimensions research; the project addressed the social and physical science factors governing water resource availability and quality under ecological and climate change; examined resource management in the Rocky Mountain West.

Earned a PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources.- Designed and completed a quantitative survey research project dealing with climate-induced insect tree mortality and resource management in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming.- Examined public perceptions of wildland fire management, use of forest products, and visitor use/recreation in three national forests in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming.

Site Manager and Supervisory Special Operations Curriculum Designer and Instructor (5/06 to 6/08):- Performed duties of site lead for a $1.1 million contract; responsible for task, personnel, and budget management.- Supervised a team of four full-time and two part-time curriculum developers/instructors and one special operations lessons learned analyst.- Taught graduate-level courses on critical thinking, civil affairs, and civil-military operations to U.S. and international students; civil affairs topics included foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; served as a staff group instructor for 16 students.Special Operations Curriculum Designer and Instructor (6/05 to 5/06):- Taught graduate-level lessons on systems theory, U.S. Government interagency coordination, and the roles, functions, limitations, and capabilities of U.S. special operations forces to U.S. and international students; served as a staff group instructor for 16 students.

- Expertise in military law enforcement, civil sector assessment, infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, socio-cultural dynamics, interagency coordination, and strategic communications; lived and worked in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.- Key assignments included: Commander, Company A, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne); Civil Affairs Branch Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command; Information Operations Branch Chief, U.S. Central Command; Commander, 554th Military Police Company; Acting Chief, Plans and Force Management Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and Battalion Commander/Professor of Military Science, University of Houston.- Demonstrated leadership in active-duty joint, civil affairs, and military police staff sections and units ranging in size up to 157 personnel; managed unit personnel, safety, training, budget, supply, and equipment maintenance programs.