Careers and Jobs
We offer a variety of employment opportunities (both paid and unpaid) ranging from student programs to volunteer programs, and full time employment for men and women with skills in several hundred areas.
The U.S. Forest Service 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.
Six Rivers National Forest has five main duty locations, listed below from north to south. All duty stations except for Eureka have employee housing (dependent on availability).
- Gasquet, CA
- Orleans, CA
- Willow Creek, CA
- Eureka, CA
- Mad River, CA
Job Announcements
All vacancies are posted on USAJobs. Please note that applications are only accepted through USAjobs.
Fire
The Forest Service employs approximately 10,000 personnel annually who serve in various positions within our wildland fire program. Positions include wildland firefighter, dispatcher, prevention technician, fuels management, and more.
Six Rivers National Forest and Pacific Southwest Region are looking for a committed, hardworking, highly skilled workforce. The fire and aviation management program is very rewarding and requires talented people working safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions.
This outreach is to notify prospective employees about upcoming job announcements for entry-level temporary seasonal full-time positions, GW-3 through GW-5. The vacancy announcements are open for applications on January 5, 2026 and close January 26, 2026 at 8:59pm (PST) and will be posted on www.USAJobs.gov. All applicants who have applied for the announcements and are found to meet basic qualifications will be referred for consideration.
Summer 2026 Fire Season Application Timeline
Temporary Seasonal 1039 and Permanent Seasonal (PSE) Job Opportunities
January 5-26, 2026 – Accepting applications via usajobs.gov
February 2026 – Candidate Selections.
May 4, 2026 – First possible effective start.
| Series/Grade | Job Title | Position Type | Link to USAJOBS Announcement | Duty Station |
| GW-0456-3 | Wildland Firefighter | Temporary Seasonal (1039) | 26-TEMPFHE-R5-2PC033-3DH | Gasquet, CA Orleans, CA Willow Creek, CA Mad River, CA Eureka, CA |
| GW-0456-4 | Wildland Firefighter | Temporary Seasonal (1039) | 26-TEMPFHE-R5-2PC048-4DH | |
| GW-0456-3/4 | Wildland Firefighter | Permanent Seasonal (PSE) | 26-FIRE-R5RE-FFTR-34DH |
Permanent Full-Time Fire Hire Application Timeline
August 22, 2025 ─ Job applications open in www.USAJobs.
September 23, 2025 ─ Application deadline, 8:59pm Pacific Time.
October 28-November 14, 2025 ─ Supervisory Reference Checks occur.
November 11, 2025 ─ Interviews for Supervisory positions will begin.
November 12-December 18, 2025 ─ Candidate Selections.
March 8, 2026 ─ First possible effective start date.
*Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple locations, 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.
Note: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) qualifications must be met at the time of selection. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS record as proof of qualifications. A current copy of your IQCS Master Record will be required for most positions in this outreach because of these qualification requirements. For more information regarding these positions or locations refer to the duty station points of contacts listed below.
Training
FREE basic fire courses available through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal and FEMA Training Website. Save your training certificate for your www.usajobs.gov application.
Recommended trainings
L-180: Human Factors in The Wildland Fire Service
S-110: Basic Wildland Fire Orientation
S-130: Firefighter Training
S-190: Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (FEMA)
IS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management System (FEMA)
Points of Contact
Veterans, Students, & Persons with Disabilities
Employment Benefits
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.