Careers and Jobs
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, this mission has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. We strive to live up to our promise of “caring for the land and serving people.”
And the views? Well, they're just a perk of the job.
Located 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon, Mt. Hood National Forest covers 1.1 million acres, stretching from the Columbia River Gorge to the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. The Forest is known for its namesake, Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in the state. Mt. Hood National Forest offers a range of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, skiing, and camping. The Forest provides critical water resources for the region and is known for its robust fisheries program. Staff have the pleasure of working at one of four duty locations: Sandy, Zigzag, Dufur, and Parkdale.
All vacancy announcements are posted at USAJobs.gov.
Hiring Resources
How the Application Process WorksGet Started on USAJOBSHow to Write a Federal ResumeUSAJOBS Two-Page Resume Webinar
2026/2027 Centralized Fire Hire
The Forest Service is hiring permanent wildland fire positions supporting local fire operations. These positions are vital to wildfire response, protecting communities and supporting forest health. Duty stations are located in Alaska, Washington & Oregon. Position series and grades include: GW-0462/0456-03 through GW-0462/0456-10.
Announcements are open in USAJobs.gov August 24 through September 22, 2026.
Available fire positions and announcement numbers
Any U.S. citizen or national at least 18 years of age can apply. These positions are part of a national Fire Hire effort. Learn more about working in wildland fire or careers with the Forest Service.
Event Timeline
| August 24, 2026 | Single Vacancy Announcement for all GW-3 through GW-10 Positions open in USA Jobs. Apply through www.USAJobs.gov. Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple locations (where they would accept a position if offered), even if positions for certain locations in which you are interested are not listed as vacant. Vacancies may occur during the hiring process and could be filled during Selection Week. |
| September 22, 2026 | Application Deadline | All vacancy announcements close at 8:59 p.m. (Pacific Time). |
| October 27, 2026 | Certificate of eligible applicants are referred to the hiring managers. | Applicants should check their email or login to their USAJobs profile to check the status of their application at this time to determine if they were “referred to selecting official”. During this time hiring managers review applicant resume and other supporting documentation and request references. |
| November 2 – December 11, 2026 | Selections | Representatives from each forest will make recommendations for hiring. Selected applicants will be notified by a Forest Service representative by phone. Applicants should be readily available during this timeframe. Traditionally higher graded GS levels are filled first moving to lower grade levels during the second week of selections. During the selection period, candidates will be given 4 hours to respond to voicemails or emails from the recommending officials. |
| March 2027 | First possible effective dates for new hires who are new to the agency. |
Forest Service Careers
Established in 1905, the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the nation’s foremost federal forestry organization. The Forest Service offers a wide variety of career opportunities that span communities nationwide. Learn more!
Careers in Fire
The Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regions have more than 1,500 fire positions spread across the National Forests of Alaska, Oregon and Washington. These positions range from Fire Management Officer to Fuels Specialist to Fire Forestry Technician.