USDA Forest Service

Climbing Ranger

May - August 2020 • Ten Sleep, WY

What I liked

It was great to be outside all summer interacting with people in a National Forest. I met a lot of great people and got to see how the USFS operates.

What I wish was different

I wish COVID-19 had not limited the amount of training opportunities.

Advice

You won't make a lot of money doing a seasonal job with the Forest Service, but it could be a really awesome experience. You also get in the door with the agency, making it easier to get future Forest Service jobs.

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Biological Technician

June - July 2019 • Mount Shasta, CA

What I liked

I loved identifying endemic plants by keying through the Jepsonii Manual.

What I wish was different

I wish i had more time to work with the botany crew.

Advice

If you like hiking and being out in the wilderness, try applying the USFS.

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Wildland Firefighter

June - August 2021 • Libby, MT

What I liked

It was a unique experience every single day.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have worked there longer.

Advice

Be prepared to work hard but always rely on your team if you need help.

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Hydrology Intern

May - August 2021 • Laramie, WY

What I liked

I got to be outdoors every day working in the Forest!

What I wish was different

Nothing, it was very fun, and I learned a lot.

Advice

Be prepared for all kinds of weather.

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Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

June - August 2021 • Escalante, UT

What I liked

I got to work every day outdoors at beautiful remote sites in the Dixie National Forest. Most of my time was spent hiking, performing field work, or monitoring wildlife. I got experience in northern goshawk monitoring, hummingbird monitoring, banding, and identification, bat mist net surveys, bumblebee surveys, and various other wildlife projects.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have spent more time in the area!

Advice

Field work can be exhausting, give yourself proper breaks, bring plenty of food and water, be tough, and come prepared for anything!

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Fish biology

June - September 2020 • Mackay, ID

What I liked

Learning, experience, people

What I wish was different

More time to work- covid cut it short

Advice

Release your inhibitions and just go for it

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Strategic Communication Intern

September 2020 • Asheville, NC

What I liked

- Self-paced - Ownership of projects - Manageable workload (<10 hours/week) - Professional development opportunities

What I wish was different

- Compensation (unpaid)

Advice

- This experience is what you make of it! There are opportunities in social media, research, science, and more with the Forest Service.

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Biologican Technician

June - October 2020 • Moab, UT

What I liked

I was able to get my foot in the door of federal employment!

What I wish was different

Advice

Take it seriously. You may receive low wages, or none at all, but a good work ethic can lead to future opportunities.

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Wildlife Technician

June - August 2019 • Logan, UT

What I liked

SOme of my favorite aspects about this job is the variety of tasks that were given.

What I wish was different

Advice

Always do your best

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Forestry Technician - Trails

May - August 2020 • Walla Walla, WA

What I liked

Getting to work outside, learning lots of new skills such as motorcycling, chainsaw use, tree felling, and trail design!

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to work longer!

Advice

Be prepared to work really hard!

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Forestry Technician

May - August 2020 • Moab, UT

What I liked

Loved being in the high elevations during the heat of the summer. A lot of beautiful country and recreation opportunities as well as great work projects.

What I wish was different

Upper level management was a little hard to work with.

Advice

Be ready to work hard and play hard.

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Biological science technician (invasive species)

May - August 2020 • Prospect, OR

What I liked

Everyday was a new experience! Got to spend lots of time in nature in a beautiful area helping to keep the forests healthy. Very knowledgeable crewmates with various backgrounds and skills to teach. Options for on the job training such as wildland firefighting!

What I wish was different

A little closer to home! And that COVID-19 didn't restrict our work of course!

Advice

Learn as much as you can in this environment, it is a breeding ground for new ideas, connections, and skills.

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Forestry aid

May - August 2019 • Alturas, CA

What I liked

I loved the ability to get outdoors and hike all the time. Also protecting the land was something I have always loved and so to get paid to do that it was special

What I wish was different

The only thing I wish was different was I got to stay longer.

Advice

Is to follow your training and know your 10s and 18s they are there for a reason and they will keep you alive.

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stream technician

June - August 2020 • Logan, UT

What I liked

I enjoyed traveling and camping the entire time in the field. I got to go all over Sawtooth National Forest, places in Oregon, north of Bear Lake, and even the Tetons and Jackson area of Wyoming. I also liked being in the streams.

What I wish was different

We were gone 8 days at a time. I agreed to this, as it was part of the work, but I did miss my husband often. Especially since I could not call daily. Other than that, COVID-19 made things limited, which was a little disappointing, but in all honesty, we were lucky to have job still.

Advice

There will be hot and dry days, cold nights, and sometimes you can be hiking and/or sleeping in a storm. But the experience makes you tougher. Keep a positive attitude and remember that it's all part of a great experience.

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OHV Trail Crew

May - August 2020 • Gunnison, CO

What I liked

The crew I worked with

What I wish was different

I wish the Pandemic wouldn’t of limited to all the experiences I could’ve learned from doing this job.

Advice

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Forestry Aide

June - August 2020 • Jackson, WY

What I liked

Working Outside

What I wish was different

Finished the work assignment I was on at the emd

Advice

You have to like being outside

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Biological Technician

May - August 2020 • Warren, PA

What I liked

Being able to learning new techniques on how to do a vegetative survey. Being in a different ecosystem and learning more about our natural resources. Also, the people that make the Forest Service a great place to work for.