Employment

Welcome to the Forest Service!! With 155 National Forests, many offices throughout the Nation, and a host of different career options, the Forest Service can provide an enriching career or an exciting summer position. Due to the number of opportunities, the hiring processes can be a bit complex.

On the Los Padres National Forest, the type of available positions, eligibility requirements, and applications vary. Position openings are either announced through agency-wide group vacancies or locally on the Forest. See below for the various types of jobs and ways to apply.

Most job applications open for a short duration once a year at different times. If you would like to receive the vacancy announcements when they open, complete the Los Padres National Forest Interest Sheet to be added to our contact list. Most survey questions from the interest sheet are optional, however the more details you provide, the better we can identify your preferences and qualifications to email you relevant employment opportunities.

Los Padres National Forest Career Opportunities Interest Form

Forest Service Current Career Opportunities

Forestry Aid and Technician 2023 Hiring Events

Do you love working outdoors in amazing landscapes? Do you want to help people have the best possible experience on National Forests and Grasslands? Apply to become a forestry aid or technician and learn how you can make a difference!

This year, the Forest Service is hiring hundreds of forestry aids and technicians in exciting and rewarding locations across the country. As an entry-level forestry aid or technician, you’ll have built-in opportunities to advance while gaining wide-ranging experience in recreation or forestry and natural resource areas including timber, wildlife, watershed, botany, silviculture, range, and more.

We’re accepting applications for forestry-related forestry aids and technicians during this week:

• September 18 through 25, 2023

Who’s Eligible?

These positions are ideal for launching a career with the Forest Service. You may qualify for a position with just 6 months of almost any type of work experience or a year of college or vocational school with relevant coursework.

What Is a Forestry Aid or Technician?

By working in a variety of forestry and natural resource areas, a forestry aid or technician promotes healthy forest resources over the long term. Duties might include surveying the ecosystem, implementing restorative and protective projects, and managing the growth of different types of trees and other vegetation. This work is significant and helps to reduce the threat of wildfire, lessen tree disease, decrease the spread of invasive plant species, improve habitat for wildlife including threatened and endangered species, and much more. Forestry aid and technicians also make sure that national forests and grasslands are safe and accessible for the public. They may help visitors at campgrounds, build and maintain trails, or even recruit and train volunteers.

To express interest in these positions, please click on the link below. You will get a notification once the vacancy announcement becomes available for completing an application.

Region 5 Job Seeker Database Sign-Up Form (office.com)

Interested in Fire Positions?

Current firefighting job opportunities on the Los Padres National Forest

Resources for Seeking Forest Service and Federal Employment

To search and apply for employment opportunities on the Forest, view and create an account on http://usajobs.gov

To anticipate in advance what positions will be open on USAJobs, view Forest Service Employment Outreach: https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach

For more information on Veteran information at OPM go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

For more information on person with disabilities go to: http://www.opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp

Employment Programs - For Students

The Internship Program is for current students. The new Internship Program provides students in high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while completing their education.

For more than three decades, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) candidates. Executive Order 13562 expands the eligibility window for applicants, making it more "student friendly" by aligning it with academic calendars and allowing those who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years to participate. It also directs OPM to set eligibility requirements and minimum qualification standards, and to make the PMF experience more robust and substantive for participants.

California Regional Occupational Program (ROP) » The mission is to promote and support ROCPs in providing exemplary career education, career development, and workforce preparation that contribute to student academic and career success and to the economic development of California.

Searching for Jobs

The US Forest Service has implemented an application program for nationwide centralized recruitment notices. Applicants can apply online at USAJOBS.gov. For current Forest Service opportunities in California, go to USAJOBS; options on this page will help you to narrow your search before selecting submit.

How to Apply and USAJOBS Resource Center

Like most other federal government agencies, the USDA-Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest fills most of its Temporary and Permanent Career positions using the US Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.usajobs.gov/. To learn more on topics such as eligibility, Employment types, opportunities for individuals with Disabilities, Occupations by College Major, FAQ, Tips, Tutorials, and more, view the following websites:

https://www.usajobs.gov/ and USAJOBS Help Center | Help Center

Pay & Leave

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides leadership on Federal pay and leave administration policies and programs. We maintain pay tables for General Schedule employees, manage the Federal Wage System, and develop and provide Government wide regulations and policies on other pay and leave authorities.

Benefits & Training

Employment at the Forest Service has its benefits! Your eligibility will depend on your position, length of employment, and whether your job is full-time or part-time. Read more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs/why-work-with-us

To learn more about employment opportunities with the USDA Forest Service and opportunities nationwide, view https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs.