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Natural Resources and Range Management Opportunities

"Thumbnail of the USAJobs.gov webpage"We're hiring recent graduates and students for range management and natural resources opportunities. Apply on USAJobs.gov between Feb. 15-27, 2023.

Society of Range Management Convention

We are also attending the Society of Range Management convention in Boise, Idaho from February 12 to 16, 2023. You don't have to attend the convention to apply.

  • Boise Center-Room 440
    850 W Front ST
    Boise, ID 83702

Virtual Recruitment Sessions

For applicants who cannot attend the Society of Range Management convention in person, the Forest Service will host two virtual recruitment sessions on Microsoft Teams on February 14th and 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. mountain time. Recruiters and Human Resource specialist will be available to answer questions. Visit the Microsoft Teams Meeting webpage during the scheduled times to access the virtual sessions. 

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 diversity of plant and grass communities in grazing areas. 

Employee on horseback leads a second horse.

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. 

Employee works test plot in mountains.

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.

Employee gives nature talk in forest.

Archeologists may spend their time working outdoors or in an office conducting studies of culture 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 excavated and salvage archeological sites. Archeologists protect culture resources while allowing for present land use needs. 

Forest Service employee studying the land

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.

Forest Service employee in a cave

Civil Engineers conduct surveys and site investigations to obtain baseline and field data on soils, typography, drainage, existing structures and utilities, and practical layouts of proposed roads, facilities or structures in relation to terrain. They make design calculations and prepare specifications for portions of project for forest development facilities, which include roads, trails, water and wastewater facilities, buildings, bridges, culverts, and other engineering facilities.

civil engineer with construction material

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.   

Range technician surveying land

​​​​​​Physical sciences student trainee positions will offer on the job training in the physical sciences field that could lead to a permanent professional or technical position. Physical science programs covered in this position include but are not limited to hydrology, geology, land surveying, and cartography. Interns may gain experience in one or multiple programs depending on the needs of their assigned Forest Service unit. 

Forest Service employees taking a sample from a fish habitat

Biology and natural resources student trainee positions will offer 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. Interns may gain experience in one or multiple programs depending on the needs of their assigned Forest Service unit. 

Forest service fish biologist wading in river

Join the Job Seeker Database

To receive information about upcoming hiring events and webinars, please sign up for our Job Seeker Email Database.

Help is Available

Visit the How to Apply page for more information about the application process and federal resumes.

If you have any questions about hiring events or Forest Service positions, please email us at sm.fs.HRMRecruitment@usda.gov.

Contact us at 1-877-372-7248, select Option 2, and follow the prompts. The Contact Center is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time and closed on all federal holidays.

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs/events/natural-resources-and-range-management