Internships and Job Skills

See also: Where to look for seasonal or permanent employment with the Forest Service

There are several programs available for young people, students, veterans, and others to gain valuable work experience with the U.S. Forest Service.

The following programs are excellent learning opportunities as well as key pathways into permanent employment with the agency.

Resource Assistant Program

The Resource Assistant Program is a rigorous and immersive, paid internship for individuals who are interested in conservation, natural and cultural resources, research and development, or other careers with the Forest Service.

The program engages students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations helping the Forest Service to attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce and carry out mission-critical work.

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/resource-assistants-internships for program information including eligibility, benefits, and how to apply for positions.

Public Land Corps

Public Lands Corps programs offer meaningful, paid work experience while advancing the conservation and stewardship of public lands. You will contribute to important work in wildfire risk reduction, trails and recreation management, habitat restoration, research, visitor services, and more, developing skills necessary to join the next generation of conservation leaders.

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/public-lands-corps for program information including eligibility and benefits.

Visit our partners websites to apply for these opportunities:

• Mt. Adams Institute
• Northwest Youth Corps
• Student Conservation Association
• Washington Conservation Corps

Youth Conservation Corps

The Youth Conservation Corps program provides paid summer experience for youth ages 15-18 to work as part of a team on fun and meaningful conservation projects on national forests and public lands. You will gain environmental stewardship experience while learning about a variety of green careers and connecting with other young people.

Eligibility, benefits, and program details can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/youth-conservation-corps

To apply:

• Contact your nearby National Forest to see if they are hiring youth crew member’s next season: https://www.fs.usda.gov/contactus/r6/about-region/contactus
• Much of our youth crew work is done through a partnership with Northwest Youth Corps. Visit their website for more information or to apply: https://www.nwyouthcorps.org/

Pathways Internships

This Pathways program is for high school or college students currently enrolled in a qualifying educational program or institution and who are interested in a paid internship while completing their education.

Additional information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/Jobs/real-jobs-real-impact/pathways-internships.

Job Corps

Job Corps is the largest nationwide residential career training program in the country. The program helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/job-corps for more details.

Job Corps Centers in Oregon & Washington:

• Timber Lake JCCC (Estacada, OR - Mt. Hood National Forest)
• Angell JCCC (Yachats, OR - Siuslaw National Forest)
• Columbia Basin JCCC (Moses Lake, WA - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest)
• Curlew JCCC (Curlew, WA - Colville National Forest)
• Fort Simcoe JCCC (White Swan, WA - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest)
• Wolf Creek JCCC (Glide, OR - Umpqua National Forest)