Fire and Aviation Management Employment

Interested in working for the Fire Management Program on the Sierra National Forest?  We hire both permanent and seasonal employees on an annual basis.  The federal hiring process requires that certain rules and regulations are upheld by each agency, and we’re no exception.  Because of this, there are many different ways we hire employees.  Here is some basic information that will help you get through the process.  We look forward to seeing your application!

Apply through USAJOBS.gov

The Forest Service posts their vacancy announcements on USAJOBS.gov.  For both permanent and seasonal fire positions, these announcements are often posted as “Open and Continuous” nationwide vacancies.  This means you are able to submit one application for each position you’re interested in, for the location(s) you’re willing to work.  These announcements Employment usajobs logogenerally stay open continuously for one year and, as long as you submit your application and recertify it on a regular basis, your application will be eligible for consideration.  In other words, for many positions, all National Forests are using the same announcements to fill their vacancies – it’s up to you to apply to the announcement, indicate the duty locations you’re willing to work, and continue to express your interest by recertifying it as indicated on USAJOBS.gov.

Most of our fire positions are “Forestry Technician” or “Forestry Aid” positions and listed under the 0462 series. Each position type, as associated with each module type, has its own announcement (and in some cases may have two announcements – one open to the general public, and the other open to internal candidates).  It’s important to select the correct announcement and read through all of the requirements before you apply.

Apply early and update often.  Because most of our hiring is completed through Regional and Forest FireHire processes, we encourage applicants to put in their applications (via USAJOBS.gov) very early each year.  Although the deadlines change annually, hiring for the fire season can often occur as early as January.  Make sure to apply early and keep your application updated and recertified in the system.  Please note, the deadlines for open and continuous announcements listed on USAJOBS.gov do not necessarily reflect the timelines we use for our FireHire process.  Your best bet is to get your application submitted early in the year.

Provide plenty of information.  Unlike the private sector, which often accepts a one page resume and counts on an interview to elicit more information, federal applications need to include enough information to demonstrate that you’re fully qualified for the job.  Make sure to provide detailed information on your application!

Network, network, network.  If you are interested in working on the Sierra National Forest, please feel free to contact supervisors at our stations and District Offices to learn more about the available positions and hiring timelines.  We receive hundreds of applications and love it when we can put a face or voice with a name!

Other Employment Programs

Pathways Program: The Pathways Program replaced the former Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). Find out more about the Pathways Program.

Central California Consortium: The Central California Consortium (CCC) is an environmental education based program sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. The focus of the program is to educate the underserved rural communities on natural resources. 

The National Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP): The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program is an accredited educational program designed to enhance and develop future Fire and Aviation Managers. This program operates under an agreement with the Department of Labor, USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service and is hosted by the Pacific Southwest Region. Find out more information about the WFAP. 

Contracting with the Sierra National Forest

The Forest Service hires all kinds of contractors to support fire management and suppression. Working together for weeks at a time, with the common goals of keeping firefighters safe and healthy, and supporting the personnel directly responsible for suppression activities, agency personnel and contractors form an exemplary team.

National contracts:  Contractors such as mobile shower service providers, mobile food units, airtankers, retardant, large aircraft for crew transportation, smokejumper aircraft, engines, crews, and helicopters are hired at the national level and are coordinated by the National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, Idaho. 

Regional and local contracts:  Contracting personnel from the local Forest Supervisor's Office hire most contractors through agreements at the individual National Forest level. These would include businesses such as bus companies for crew transportation, restaurants who could provide large numbers of lunches and dinners, and some equipment for local fire suppression activities such as bulldozers.



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