Careers and Jobs
Make a difference in your community and help steward and conserve the Nation's forests. Be sure to read through our tips and tricks about navigating and applying for jobs on USAJOBS below.
Join our mailing list to get updates on available positions:
https://forms.office.com/g/iK4MT0SGdT
San Juan NF Mailing List QR Code
All jobs are advertised through the USAJOBS website. You can search the openings by agency, location, salary range, or "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.
Wildland Fire Permanent and Seasonal Positions
Application Period: March 10 - 19
The San Juan National Forest is committed to developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce for wildland fire operations and fuels management. The San Juan Interagency Fire/Fuels and Aviation programs are very rewarding and requires talented people to work safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions. We are looking for candidates that are self-motivated, team players, with an unbridled work ethic to join our fire/fuels/ aviation management programs.
Positions are advertised as national and regional vacancy announcements and applicants are advised to pay close attention to duty location selections. The vacancy announcements for these positions will be posted on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities at USAJobs.gov
If you are interested in applying to any of the advertised positions, please contact any of the contacts listed in this document. Your response is important! The personal touch and outreach can sometimes set you apart as hiring managers work through hundreds of applications each year.
San Juan Hotshots:
POSITION TITLE | GRADE | VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT | DUTY LOCATION |
San Juan IHC Asst Supt | GW-7/8 | Durango, CO |
Contact:
- Scott McCreary (IHC Supt.) scott.mccreary@usda.gov
Durango Helitack:
POSITION TITLE | GRADE | VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # | DUTY LOCATION |
Helitack Squad Leader | GW-6/7 |
| Durango, CO |
Contacts:
- Gabe Vera (HMGR) Gabriel.vera@usda.gov
- Killian Malone (Asst.HMGR) Killian.malone@usda.gov
Dolores Ranger District:
POSITION TITLE | GRADE | VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT | DUTY LOCATION |
District AFMO-Suppression | GW-8/9 | Dolores, CO | |
*Low Complexity FMO* | GW-8/9 | Dolores, CO | |
Senior FF-Fuels Squad | GW-4/5 | Dolores, CO |
*Position may be filled at the Low complexity FMO level, if not filled at the High complexity District AFMO level.
Contacts:
- Caleb Schutz (DFMO) caleb.schutz@usda.gov
- Liv Elfstrom (Fuels Capt.) liv.elfstrom@usda.gov
- Vince Mowery (Fuels AFMO) vince.mowery@usda.gov
Columbine Ranger District:
POSITION TITLE | GRADE | VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT | DUTY LOCATION |
Fire Engine Operator (FEO) | GW-6/7 | Bayfield, CO |
Contacts:
- Nathan Christiansen (DAFMO) Nathan.Christiansen@usda.gov
- Frank Stuckman (SFEO) frank.v.stuckman@usda.gov
Pagosa Ranger District:
POSITION TITLE | GRADE | VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # | DUTY LOCATION |
Senior Firefighter (Suppression Module) | GW-3/4 |
| Pagosa Springs, CO |
Contacts:
- Corey Wilson (DAFMO) corey.wilson@usda.gov
- Gregory Becker (SMOD Capt.) Gregory.becker@usda.gov
You must also meet the eligibility requirements as defined by OPM. For more information on the eligibility requirements for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Eligibility requirements must be met at the time of selection.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
The Process and Timeline:
March 10th, 2026 - Vacancy announcements will be activated in USAJOBS.
March 19th,2026 - Application deadline, 11:59 Eastern Standard Time.
May 9th, 2026– Certificates delivered to Hiring Manager
May 27th, 2026 - Forest Recommendations and Selections Due to HR
July 12, 2026 – Earliest possible effective start date
Permanent Positions
This hiring session is complete for 2026.
Temporary Seasonal Positions
This hiring session is complete for 2026.
Permanent Seasonal Positions
This hiring session is complete for the 2026 hiring season.
To learn more about Forest Service careers, job opportunities, hiring & recruitment events, and application guidance, visit the US Forest Service Working With Us page.
To learn about job opportunities and hiring events across the Rocky Mountain Region, visit the Region 2 Jobs Page.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers different pathway opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, business and many other fields. USDA offers internships to students and recent graduates to help them to excel in their chosen fields. Learn more here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs/students-and-recent-graduates
Opportunities and Internships for Young People
The USDA Forest Service has multiple opportunities for young people seeking experience with the agency, from internships to Conservation Corps programs. Learn more here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers
Check out volunteering opportunities with San Juan Mountains Association.
Navigating and applying through USAJOBS
To View Positions Currently Open for Application: Positions that are currently open for application will only appear on the USAJOBS website. To view positions currently open for application on the San Juan National Forest:
- In the Keyword block, type "San Juan National Forest"
- Below that block, choose either "U.S. Citizens" or "Federal Employees"
- Click Search
The Job You Want to Apply For Isn't Open Yet? Get a Head Start!
An outreach is the process by which our hiring managers attempt to determine the method that will be used to fill a particular vacancy and notify potential applicants of an upcoming job announcement. These are NOT the actual advertisements of the position being filled. Announcements of positions that are upcoming but may not necessarily be open for application just yet are found on the Forest Service Outreach website. We encourage all interested parties to respond to the outreach to help us determine interest. To view announcements specific to permanent and temporary positions on the San Juan National Forest:
- Navigate to the US Forest Service Outreach Database
- Leave the Opportunity block blank
- In the Organization block, type "110213" or use the drop-down menu's to selection the Rocky Mountain Region, Region 2 and San Juan National Forest
- Next, click "Perform Search"
Additional Links
Forest Service Anti-Harassment Policy and Program information.