WASHINGTON, DC—The Forest Service held their annual recruitment event for forestry and timber careers during the 2022 Society of American Foresters convention in Baltimore, Maryland, at the end of September.
This recruiting event targeted students and recent graduates in forestry and closely related academic programs. Attendees from across the forestry industry and in forestry-related education programs were able to learn about several topics related to natural resources. They were also able to explore different job opportunities across private and government sectors.

The Forest Service offered webinars and live Q&A sessions covering USAJOBS, the application process, federal resumes, and hiring eligibilities and qualifications.

The Forest Service is a long-standing sponsor and attendee at the convention. Every year, the agency hires hundreds of current and recently graduated college students into forestry-related Pathways programs, providing lifelong career paths in permanent federal employment.

Joshua Miller, fuels forester on the Sequoia National Forest, was an applicant from the 2020 SAF recruitment event who was offered a student internship (forester) position on Six Rivers National Forest. “The program has allowed me to work on two amazing forests, given me a wealth of opportunities and a sense of security, allowed me the incredible chance to step into a permanent full-time position that I love, and begin building myself as a professional forester,” said Miller. After completing his degree in forestry, Miller was offered a permanent fuels forester position on the Sequoia National Forest which he has been in for year.

This year, a record number of 800+ positions were open during the forestry and timber careers recruitment event. Now that vacancies have closed, applications are currently being reviewed, and students and recent graduates who are selected will be given tentative job offers by early December. With the increase in vacancies, the agency is able to offer an increased number of entry-level new hires an opportunity to build their skills and develop permanent careers.