Forestry and Timber Career Opportunities
Applicant SAF - Hiring Timeline
October 24 to November 1, 2023: Vacancy announcements posted on USAJOBS (see announcement #’s below).Applications are now closed.
December 5 to 11, 2023: “SAF_Hiring” email is sent to qualified candidates to provide references, validate interest, and obtain preferred duty locations.
Candidates for GS11 positions will be provided a link to schedule an interview.
December 11 to 13, 2023: Interviews for positions with Full Performance of GS11
January 8 to 19, 2024: Selections and tentative job offer made.
January 23, 2024: SAF_Hiring email is sent to all candidates not selected.
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Job Opportunities
Forestry Technicians
Forestry technicians work in a variety of natural resource and recreation areas such as timber, wildlife, watershed, botany, silviculture, recreation, visitor services, and more. As a forestry aid or technician, you may survey the ecosystem, build and maintain trails, implement restorative and protective projects, manage the growth of trees and other vegetation, recruit and train volunteers, or work directly with the public. You will get to make an impact on our nations forests by reducing threat of wildfires, improve habitats for wildlife including threatened and endangered species, decrease the spread of invasive plant species, and much more.
Details About the Positions
Interns
Open to the Public Using Direct Hire Authority
What does Direct Hire Authority Mean?
A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) speeds the hiring process along by removing competitive rating and ranking, veterans' preference, and "rule of three" procedures.
Foresters
Foresters are responsible for managing timber resources by developing annual work plans and carrying out short range timber management programs. As a forester you will develop timber management plans based on information gained from on-the-ground timber surveys, maps, aerial photographs, and computer reports. You will also review logging plans and make sure contracts are followed, inspect logging operations, work alongside resource specialists for forest management, and interact with members of the public. As a forester you will help maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands.
Details About the Positions
Interns
Recent Graduates
Merit
Prescribed Fire & Fuels
Fire management specialists work towards managing excess fuels in our nation’s forests and grasslands. As a fire management specialist you will spend a lot of time outdoors, collecting data, cutting and piling trees and brush, and working on prescribed fires to eliminate excess fuels. You may also be involved in developing long-term strategic plans for the treatment of fuels using fire, mechanical or chemical methods. You will work alongside resource specialists, stakeholders, and cooperators to identify and prioritize project work across your assigned unit. As a fire management specialist, you will play a huge role in returning forests to a healthy state, help protect highly valued resources and assets, and create opportunities for firefighters to do their work in a safer, more effective manner.
Details About the Positions
Recent Graduates
Merit
Natural Resources
Natural resource interns are offered on the job training in the natural resources and biological sciences program that could lead to a permanent professional or technical position. Programs covered in this position include but are not limited to forestry, wildlife biology, range management, botany, recreation, and fish biology. As an intern you may be responsible for monitoring and reducing impacts caused by forest visitors and other influences. You will develop, oversee and maintain popular recreation facilities such as trails, campgrounds and picnic areas; reduce the spread of invasive species; and issue special permits. As an intern you will also gain experience working outdoors to conduct research by identifying, preserving, and collecting data on the different types and sizes of trees, plants, insects, and animals.
Details About the Positions
Interns
Eligibility
Drug Testing
As an applicant, you may be subject to drug testing as part of the hiring process and must receive a negative drug test prior to reporting for duty. In addition, these positions are subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
Selective Service Registration
Selective Service registration is the law. As a federal agency, the Forest Service must make sure any candidate required by law is either registered for Selective Service or has a qualifying exemption. If you are unsure if you are required to register, the Selective Service System offers guidance on Who Needs to Register.
Student Intern Pathways Eligibility
Current students in an accredited high school, college, including 4-year colleges, universities, community colleges, and junior colleges; professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.
Recent Graduate Pathways Eligibility
Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.
How to Apply
Check back closer to the vacancy opening date for the USAJOBS link.
Tips on How to Apply
For videos, tips, and tricks, visit the How to Apply webpage.
Be sure to attach transcripts if you base your qualifications on education, not experience. Education is more than a certain number of years beyond high school. You also need enough credit hours in particular subjects.
If you base your qualifications on experience, be sure your resume clearly states the month, day, and year when you started and stopped each period of employment and how many hours per week you worked.
Volunteer work or internships may count as experience.
Be sure your resume clearly describes your job experience. Human Resources specialists make the final determination of whether your experience counts as general or specialized.
Questions
Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time and closed on all Federal holidays.
Email: sm.fs.saf-hiring@usda.gov
Call 1-877-372-7248 (select option 2 and follow prompts).
More Information
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