Job Opportunities in Region 5

Are You Looking for a Job, or a Lifetime Career Adventure?

For more than a century, since 1905, Forest Service employees have been on the front line of conservation, resource utilization, and wildland management. Today, there is more excitement, greater challenges, and more career choices than ever before available to people who join the Nation's premier forest management agency.

Managing 51 thousand square miles of the most magnificent lands in our nation is a great responsibility. Managing it in ways that are most effective for the land, water, air, wildlife, and people of America is our mission.

To keep our employees at the top of their profession, we provide world-class training supported by the latest technologies. Career development is ensured through continuing training and career-related education opportunities, both within our organization and through external educational institutions.

Paid and Volunteer Experiences are Available to Meet Many Interests

We offer a variety of employment opportunities, both paid and volunteer, ranging from student programs, volunteer programs, and full time employment for men and women with skills in several hundred areas. It's all here, starting with who we are and what we do.

The Forest Service is constantly moving forward. Our fundamental responsibility is still sound and scientific focus on stewardship and sustainability of the land, water and communities, but how that is delivered to the public is changing. Exciting advances in science and technology, communications, national and global priorities, and public expectations are opening new vistas for Forest Service employees.

Much of our work today involves collaboration with other Federal and State agencies, local communities, private and tribal landowners, university research centers, and international organizations.

We are a nationwide organization of more than 30,000 people engaged in hundreds of specific occupations, including; Foresters, Biologists, Engineers, Teachers, Firefighters, Accountants, Computer Specialists, Law Enforcement, Public Affairs Specialists, Recreation Specialists, Geographic Information Specialists, and more. Most Forest Service employees focus on managing and improving our Nation's forests and grasslands. Some employees focus on Forest and Range research, others focus on human resource development in Job Corps Centers, and others focus on state and private forestry coordination. This may sound simple, but it's not. It takes men and women in several hundred disciplines working in coordinated teamwork nationwide.

If you want to work in the great outdoors or to help manage it, look at our site and register for employment notices at USAJOBS. We will be recruiting for positions like these over the course of this year.

Foresters

Foresters apply advances in science and technology to ensure development, production, conservation, and use of natural resources of forests and rangelands, including timber, soil, land, water, wildlife and fish habitat, mineral, forage, outdoor recreation and wilderness.

Public Affairs Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists work with people whose backyards border Forest land to appreciate its ecology and protect their families and property.

Engineers

Engineers are engaged in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance activities for roads, bridges, trails, buildings, wastewater systems, ski lifts, communications systems and much more.

Wildlife Biologists

Wildlife Biologists make the forest a healthy environment that meets the needs of wildlife for vegetation, water flow, canopy cover, and other biological needs.

Helitack, Smokejumpers, Hotshots, and Fire Suppression Handcrew or Engine Members

Helitack, Smokejumpers, Hotshots, and Handcrew members travel the state and sometimes the country to suppress wildfires. There are numerous seasonal positions when fire risk is highest in addition to a contingent of fire fighters in year-round positions. Fire Managers plan highly controlled, prescribed fires to improve the forest ecosystem.

Entomologists

Entomologists conduct pest surveys and provide identification information and management options to land managers and Forest Service personnel.

Fuels Planners

Fuels Planners evaluate forest ground level and underground conditions of vegetation to reduce potential fuels that could feed an uncontrolled wildfire.

Geographic Information Specialists

Geographic Information Specialists work with satellite imagery and map overlays of Forest and collaborative watershed projects with other agencies.

Hydrologists

Hydrologists work to stabilize and restore watershed ecosystems degraded by development or agricultural practices that have put native aquatic species at risk.

Recreation Specialists

Recreation Specialists help plan and manage sites for winter sports areas, wilderness backpacking, and a wide variety of trails and recreation areas.

Administrative, technical and clerical personnel

Administrative, technical and clerical personnel, like accountants and financial managers budget projects; administrative support provide assistance to forest staff to keep records and paperwork flowing smoothly; and clerical support provides timekeeping, manages supplies and provides office automation, etc.

Student Employment

Student Employment opportunities exist for employment that directly relates to the student's educational plan. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) is a primary source for external recruitment for entry-level hires in the Forest Service. The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides employment to earn money while continuing their education, train with professionals and combine academic study with on-the-job experience.

Searching for Jobs

For current R5 career opportunities, go to USAJOBS and specify desired locations in California. Options on this page will help you to narrow your search before selecting submit.

Compensation and Benefits

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) information relating to all aspects of employment with the Federal Government -- including retirement, insurance and other specific programs.

Related Information

Forest Service: Working for the Great Outdoors
Forest Service: Student Programs
National Forests in Region 5

Regional Recruitment Specialist Team

If you like to speak to someone about Forest Service employment opportunities feel to contact one of our Recruitment Specialists and they will be happy to talk to you.

Volunteer Information

Volunteering in the National Forest can offer valuable experience and life long memories. Give it a try! Write or call the volunteer coordinator at your nearest Forest Service office for information and a volunteer application.

Employment & Recruitment