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
USAJobs
All vacancies are posted on USAJobs and applications are only accepted through USAjobs. People interested in applying to any jobs at the Six Rivers National Forest will need to establish accounts on USAJobs.gov, and prepare a resume that meets requirements. To help learn how to create an effective USAJobs resume within the new two-page limit, please check out this video from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Potential applicants must be 18 years old by their first day of work. Please note that applications are only accepted through USAjobs.
Fire Hire
Firefighter working on wildfire
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.
2027 Entry-Level FIRE Positions - 1039 - Temporary Seasonal Applications Now Open
Six Rivers National Forest and Region 5 (California) are now accepting application for GW-3/4/5 Entry-Level Temporary Seasonal (1039) FIRE positions.
Application Dates:
October 30th – November 12th, 2026
Employment Dates:
May 2027-October 2027
| JOB TITLE | SERIES/GRADE | Apply on www.USAJobs.gov | JOB ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER |
| Wildland Firefighter | GW-0456-3 | Link to Application | 27-TEMPF3-R5-2PC033-3DH |
| Wildland Firefighter | GW-0456-4 | Link to Application | 27-TEMPF3-R5-2PC048-4DH |
| Wildland Firefighter | GW-0456-5 | Link to Application | 27-TEMPF3-R5-2PC029-5DH |
| Fire Lookout | GW-0456-4 | Link to Application | 27-TEMP3-R5-FS2856-4DH |
| Fire Lookout | GW-0456-5 | Link to Application | 27-TEMP3-R5-FS3451-5DH |
Flyer with hiring information
Crew 52- Six Rivers National Forest Workforce Development Program
The Six Rivers National Forest has finished hiring for the 2026 fire season. Applications will open February 2027. Crew 52 is an Administratively Determined (AD) Workforce Development Training Program designed to provide experience to anyone interested in pursuing a career in wildland fire.
The crew is based out of Eureka, CA and supports Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Parks in implementing fuels reduction projects, prescribed fires, responding to developing incidents and more!
Program Information:
- Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply
- No experience required
- Training begins May 2027
- Season is May to August with options to extend
- Pay starts at $22 per hour
- Paid Training and educational opportunities
- Learn about fire management, prescribed fire, and fire ecology
For further inquires, please reach out to Ehny Patterson at Ncifmcrew52@gmail.com
Fire 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)
Fire Hire Contacts
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.