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Range Management, Soil, and Sciences Career Opportunities


man rides horse

We're Hiring!

We're hiring students, recent graduates, and individuals who are pursuing a career in range management, soil, sciences, and others into positions across the nation! 

Want to connect with Forest Service employees, learn more about our current job opportunities, and receive tips on how to apply? We will be attending the 2024 Society of Range Management Convention from January 28th to February 1st in Sparks, NV to answer any questions you have!

Apply on USAJOBS from January 24th to February 21st. You do not need to attend an event to apply.

 

Event Details

Visit us at the 2024 Society of Range Management Convention!

Connect with us in-person!

Where?

The Nugget Hotel

1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks, NV 89431

Recruitment Room (Redwood 2) & USAJOBS Computer Lab

When? 

January 28 to February 1, 8 AM–5 PM Pacific Time (PT)

 

Apply on USAJOBS from January 24th to February 21st, 2024. You do not need to attend an event to apply. 


Job Opportunities

Some of the jobs we are hiring for include the following. Check back to this webpage in February for a full list of opportunities

Rangeland management specialists manage range vegetation on National Forest lands for a variety of uses, including grazing by livestock and forage for wildlife. They also work closely with livestock producers while managing permits which allows grazing on National Forest lands. They also analyze ecosystem health and maintain the diversity of plant and grass communities in grazing areas. 

Intern

Recent Graduate 

Merit

Soils scientists spend time outdoors collecting soil samples in order to determine physical, chemical, and morphological characteristics in different areas of a watershed. Soils scientists describe and classify soil properties according to the National Cooperative Soil Survey standards and determine how suitable an area is for management. They write watershed restoration plans, erosion control plans, soil resources improvement plans, soil management reports, soil survey reports, and special project reports for management. Soil scientists take care of the soil. 

Recent Graduate 

Merit

Botanists work on teams with other resource specialists to conserve and manage plant resources on national forests and grasslands. They evaluate the biological implications of various construction, logging, or other projects and develop conservation strategies to maintain threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants. 

Recent Graduate

Merit

Ecologists study relationships between and among populations of organisms, their habitats, and the flow of energy, nutrients, and other resources. They collect long-term data on ecosystem structure and function as well as status and trends in key ecosystem processes. This area of science is fundamental for developing and improving the understanding of ecosystem function and enhanced tools and techniques to restore and conserve our forest and grassland ecosystems.

Recent Graduate

Merit

Hydrologists work indoors and outdoors conducting inventories of water sources, such as streams, lakes and springs using various techniques. They look at the health of water bodies and how they might be impacted by Forest management or other disturbances, by analyzing flow patterns, temperature, use, quantity and quality in order to come up with management recommendations. Hydrologists closely work with other specialists, such as engineers, fish biologists, and soils scientists.

Recent Graduate

Merit

Archeologists may spend their time working outdoors or in an office conducting studies of cultural resources in areas where Forest Service projects are proposed to start. Archeologists investigate government records, maps, aerial photographs, and interview people concerning project sites. They serve on surveying crews to help locate and verify archeological sites, as well as helping excavate and salvage archeological sites. Archeologists protect cultural resources while allowing for present land use needs. 

Recent Graduate

Merit

Geologists collect data, take samples, make observations, prepare reports of their findings to properly identify geologic environments, and evaluate mineral resources. Geologists assess potential impacts of geological resources on forest management, as well as the impacts of forest management on geological resources.

Recent Graduate 

Merit

Range technicians assist in planning rangeland management support projects by applying a wide variety of range management practices, methods, and procedures to assess range conditions, range improvements and maintenance needs, and user compliance. Range technicians work in the conservation, regulation, and use of public or federally controlled lands for livestock grazing, recreational opportunities, healthy watersheds, and wildlife habitat.   

DEMO

 

man and woman walking through range
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) Forest Service Wild Horse and Burro Coordinator Dr. Tolani Francisco, DVM MPH and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Black Mesa Ranger District Ranger Richard Madril look for feral horses in the Heber Wild Horse Territory, in the central Arizona area, on Sept. 26, 2019. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Eligibility

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.

Tips on How to Apply

  • 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.

Forest Service Careers Map

Check out our interactable Forest Service Careers Map, which lists all our current job opportunities that are open for applications across the nation.

Forest Service Jobs Map

More Resources

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer