The U.S. Forest Service is looking to hire hundreds of permanent wildland firefighters ahead of the 2025 fire season, according to the USDA.
The Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service is in the process of hiring 1,100 permanent firefighters to help battle blazes in national forests and grasslands in California.
The Forest Service manages more than 190 million acres of public land and supports conservation on hundreds of millions of acres across the country. It also maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world.
The USDA also plays an important role in maintaining the nation’s urban forests.
These new hires will fill myriad positions including aviation officers, pilots, engine operators, dispatchers, hand crew members, smokejumpers and hotshots.
Those hired will help the Forest Service with wildfire preparedness and prevention, forest management, and respond to wildfire emergencies.
Applications are open now through April 24. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals that are at least 18 years of age. Because it’s a direct-hire process, USDA says the typical veterans preference and “rating and ranking procedures” will not apply.
Additional information, including resume preparation guidelines, including webinars and step-by-step tips, can be found online.
