Careers and Jobs
Working for the Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland
A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation’s most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies. It’s an awesome responsibility – but the rewards are as limitless as the views.
You can experience the beautiful scenery of Central Oregon first-hand while working in a seasonal temporary position for the Ochoco National Forest and the Crooked River National Grassland. Most of the positions offered are field-going, but some include office work with maps, computer data entry, or planning and supervisory functions. Work locations are predominantly on Ranger Districts, but a few are located in the Supervisor's Office (Headquarters) or the Redmond Air Center.
In your off-hours, you may be enticed to fish one of our spectacular rivers or lakes or hike on our scenic trails. The area also hosts one of the finest examples of obsidian flow in the world and is internationally known for the largest variety of volcanic formations in the lower 48 states. Central Oregon is a great place to live and work!
Find Forest Service Jobs & Apply:
The USDA Forest Service posts all vacancy announcements at USAJOBS. Visit the Forest Service National Website for more information about the agency.
Application information:
Prineville Hotshot information:
2026 / 2027 Centralized Fire Hire Event
The application period for temporary fire hires for the 2027 season will be open on USAJOBS.gov October 30 - November 12.
For information about working in wildland fire or careers with the Forest Service, visit fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers.
The Ochoco National Forest will be looking to hire for the following temporary fire positions/announcement numbers (Duty Station for the Ochoco National Forest positions is Prineville):
| Announcement | Position Description | |
| 27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC033-3DH | 2PC033 --GW--0456--03--Wildland Firefighter | |
| 27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC028-5DH | 2PC028 --GW--0456--05--Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot/Handcrew) | |
| 27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC027-5DH | 2PC027 --GW--0456--05--Wildland Firefighter (Helitack) | |
| 27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC029-5DH | 2PC029 --GW--0456--05--Wildland Firefighter | |
| 27-TEMP3-R6-FS3451-5DH | FS3451 --GS--0462--05--Forestry Technician (Lookout) | |
| 27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC030-5DH | 2PC030 --GW--0456--05--Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operator) | |
| 27-TEMP3-R6-FS2856-4DH | FS2856--GS--0462--04--Forestry Technician (Lookout) |
The application period for the 2026/2027 Centralized Permanent Fire Hire Event on USAJOBs.gov has closed.
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. |
Youth, Students & Recent Graduate Opportunities:
- Heart of Oregon Corps - Youth Employment Opportunities
- Pathways program for students and recent graduates
- USA Jobs for students and recent graduates