Forest Service Careers

Field-Based Roles

Wildland Firefighter

• What They Do: Battle wildfires on engine crews, helitack teams, hand crews, or as smokejumpers. They suppress flames, conduct prescribed burns, and thin fuels to protect forests and communities.
• Why It Matters: With fire season growing longer, they’re the frontline defenders of our 3 million acres.

Forestry Technician

• What They Do: Maintain trails, monitor timber, and assist with recreation or resource projects. Entry-level roles often lead to specialized paths like wildlife or hydrology.
• Why It Matters: They keep forests healthy and accessible, from planting trees to clearing paths.

Forester

• What They Do: Manage timber resources, plan harvests, and oversee reforestation. They survey forests and ensure sustainable growth over decades.
• Why It Matters: Their expertise shapes the forest’s future, balancing ecology and use.

Rangeland Management Specialist

• What They Do: Oversee grazing lands, issue permits to ranchers, and protect vegetation for livestock and wildlife.
• Why It Matters: They maintain diverse ecosystems, like sagebrush plains, vital to local economies and biodiversity.

Wildlife Biologist

• What They Do: Study and protect species like grizzlies or cutthroat trout, monitoring habitats and mitigating human impacts.
• Why It Matters: They safeguard the forest’s wild heart, ensuring animals thrive.

Hydrologic Technician

• What They Do: Assess water quality in streams and lakes, working with engineers to protect watersheds.
• Why It Matters: Clean water from forests like ours supports life downstream.

Archaeologist

• What They Do: Preserve cultural sites, from ancient trails to tribal artifacts, ensuring history isn’t lost to development.
• Why It Matters: They honor the past, like the Shoshone-Bannock legacy in Caribou-Targhee.

Specialized Field Support

Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)

• What They Do: Patrol forests with trucks, ATVs, or horses, enforcing laws and protecting resources, staff, and visitors.
• Why It Matters: They keep public lands safe and secure, tackling everything from timber theft to illegal camping.

Fire Management Specialist (Fuels Planning)

• What They Do: Plan controlled burns and fuel reduction to prevent catastrophic wildfires, collaborating with crews and scientists.
• Why It Matters: They reduce fire risk, protecting homes and habitats.

Realty Specialist

• What They Do: Manage land acquisitions, easements, and property use, coordinating with governments and conservation groups.
• Why It Matters: They secure the forest’s boundaries and access for all.

Heavy Equipment Operator

• What They Do: Operate bulldozers, graders, or tractors for firebreaks, road maintenance, or restoration projects.
• Why It Matters: Their skills keep infrastructure functional and fires contained.

Research and Development

Research Forester

• What They Do: Study forest dynamics—growth, climate impacts, or fire behavior—conducting field and lab experiments.
• Why It Matters: Their science informs how we adapt to a changing world.

Fire Ecologist

• What They Do: Analyze wildfire effects on ecosystems, guiding restoration and prevention strategies.
• Why It Matters: They ensure fires benefit, not destroy, forest health.

Administrative and Support

Social Services Assistant

• What They Do: Support Job Corps students at Civilian Conservation Centers, fostering skills and safety.
• Why It Matters: They empower youth to contribute to conservation.

Administrative Support Specialist

• What They Do: Handle logistics, budgets, or HR from offices, keeping operations running smoothly.
• Why It Matters: They’re the backbone of our fieldwork.

Public Affairs Specialist

• What They Do: Communicate forest news, from fire updates to trail openings, via media and outreach.
• Why It Matters: They connect us to the public we serve.

IT Specialist

• What They Do: Manage systems for GIS mapping, fire tracking, or payroll, supporting field and office tech.
• Why It Matters: They keep us connected and data-driven.

Seasonal and Temporary Roles

Seasonal Forestry Aide

• What They Do: Assist with summer tasks—trail work, campground hosting, or fire lookout duties—often as a first step into the agency.
• Why It Matters: They fill critical gaps, keeping forests open and safe.

Visitor Information Assistant

• What They Do: Greet visitors, share maps, and educate on forest rules during peak seasons.
• Why It Matters: They enhance experiences and safety for millions.

Join Our Team

From the fireline to the office, every Forest Service job contributes to our mission. At Caribou-Targhee, you could work under Forest Supervisor Mel Bolling, protecting 3 million acres of stunning landscapes. Ready to start? Explore openings on USAJobs.gov or call our Idaho Falls office at (208) 557-5900. Seasonal roles open yearly, and permanent positions offer benefits like health coverage and career growth. Whether you wield a Pulaski or a spreadsheet, your work here matters.