Careers and Jobs
A Forest Service employee looks at a recently planted pine seedling in the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire scar.
All current Forest Service job vacancies are posted on usajobs.gov and can happen at any time throughout the year. The web-based applications of USAJOBS provide an opportunity for job candidates to create a profile, search for jobs, sign-up for vacancy announcements, apply for jobs, and check the status of jobs for which they have applied.
Hiring in 2026
The application period for the summer seasonal 2026 season has closed. The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland appreciates everyone who joined us this season.
Places to check:
- Search for current Forest Service jobs @USAJOBS.
- List of current & upcoming national Forest Service job opportunities
- Opportunities for young people
- Upcoming hiring events
Find critical information related to the application process.
Permanent Positions
All permanent jobs are advertised through the usajobs.gov website. You can search the openings by agency, location, salary range, or by "series" (a system for identifying the type of work). Some positions are only open to current Federal Employees; only the jobs open to everyone will be shown in the search results.
Temporary Positions
Every year, the Forest Service hires thousands of temporary (mostly summer) employees for a variety of jobs, most of them in the field. Open positions are advertised on the usajobs.gov site and the application window is announced on our social media channels for both fire and non-fire positions.
Firefighter Positions
Firefighter ignites the Mad Creek Prescribed Burn in 2016.
Whether thinning a overgrown pine forest or protecting communities during times of wildfire, men and women who work in wildland fire have to think on their feet and work as a team. We hire seasonal and permanent firefighters for engine modules, hand crews, fuels crews and hotshot crews. Requirements for positions are available on individual position listings.
- Roosevelt Hotshots (Fort Collins, CO)
Choosing a Duty Location
Idaho Springs is headquarters to the Clear Creek Ranger District. Spanning the I-70 corridor from the foothills to the Continental Divide, the area is steeped in Colorado’s mining legacy and is speckled with historic sites and small towns with quaint main streets. From its source in the district’s 14,000-foot summits near Georgetown, Clear Creek runs through the length of the district. Home to fewer than 2,000 residents, Idaho Springs is treasured for its proximity to white water boating in the summer and Loveland Ski Area in the winter. Its main street bustles with souvenir shops, museums, and restaurants while its convenient location along the I-70 corridor make it an ideal launching point for outdoor recreation adventures in the mountains or a cultural trip into Denver. Learn more about Idaho Springs.
Boulder Ranger District Office
Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 25 miles northwest of Denver. The City of Boulder sits 5,430 feet above sea level and experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine a year and moderate weather. Outdoor recreation opportunities in and around Boulder are extensive, with city and county parks and open space, trails, Rocky Mountain National Park and, of course, lots of national forest. Entertainment opportunities abound in Boulder and the metropolitan area, with a wide array of restaurants, theater, world-class museums, and sports-and-music venues. There are many institutions of higher learning in the area, including the University of Colorado Boulder. Boulder Valley School District ranks among the state’s best districts. Learn more about Boulder.
Fort Collins is located 60 minutes north of Denver near the Wyoming state line. Home to Colorado State University, this vibrant city is full of eateries and boutiques. The Canyon Lakes Ranger District earns its name from the hundreds of lakes and canyons that run through its 600,000-acre expanse along the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Cache la Poudre River, Colorado’s only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, tumbles from its origins in the Continental Divide through a stunning canyon to the slopes of the Front Range. For the recreation enthusiast, there are year-round opportunities here, from whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and fishing, to winter sports like snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling, Learn more about Fort Collins.
Sulphur Ranger District office sign in the fall
Granby is situated along the upper Colorado and Fraser rivers on the west side of the Continental Divide. Only 67 miles from Denver, Grand County is the ideal combination of authentic western adventure and unrivaled natural beauty. The ranger district is home to Colorado’s “Great Lakes” region, including seven lakes popular for boating and fishing; Winter Park Resort; and the mountain-biking capital of Colorado. The nearby town of Grand Lake serves as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to world-class skiing, Grand County offers horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, fishing, boating, snowshoeing and a host of other unique Colorado activities. Grand County and its communities, including Kremmling, Granby, Winter Park/Fraser, Grand Lake, and Hot Sulphur Springs, are surrounded by snow-capped peaks, forested mountains and rolling ranch lands. Learn more about Grand County.
Pawnee National Grassland Office
Ault is headquarters and the gateway to the Pawnee National Grassland. Ault - “A Unique Little Town,” is well known for its antique shops, Fall Festival and International Food Fest. Ault provides a friendly, country feel with beauty in the tree lined streets and well-maintained parks. Multiple antique stores and restaurants line the main street in town. Ault has several different churches, a senior center, library, small shops and a variety of services. Learn more about Ault.
Housing Options on the Forest
One of the small staff houses at Shadow Mountain Village.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland offers a variety of housing options ranging from shared bunkhouses to small, single family homes, depending on location and availability. Learn more about these facilities on our housing page.