Getting out into the workforce in a new location, understanding the agency better, and spending all day every day in a remote forest running chainsaws.
What I wish was different
I would have like to have been paid better. Some crew members were hard to deal with. And I wish the experience allowed for opportunities more relevant toward my degree/career path.
Advice
Get on USAjobs early and dress up your resume real Nice, be flexible and willing to work with many different people. Understand the positions you are applying for.
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Forestry Technician
May - August 2018 • Minturn, CO
What I liked
I loved the other people on the tree marking crew and I loved being in the mountains.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have been able to work more of the season.
Advice
Befriend your coworkers and supervisors and try to get as much different experiences as possible that you think might need later on down the road.
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Civil Engineering Intern
May - August 2018 • Cedar City, UT
What I liked
It was a great environment to work in, gained so much valuable experience.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Forestry Technician
May - August 2018 • Seeley Lake, MT
What I liked
Spent over 50 days in the backcountry of Montana's wilderness.
What I wish was different
Wish I could have stayed on longer!
Advice
Apply early and often to USAJOBS
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Forestry Aide
May - September 2018 • Lakeview, OR
What I liked
It was an excellent job. In fire suppression you work to protect life, property, and the wild lands of this country. Even when you are not fighting fires you are working out side and helping other forest service departments.
What I wish was different
The primary thing Iwanted to be different was some of the machismo culture.
Advice
Be ready to work hard physically and mentally.
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Visitor Services
May - August 2018 • Pollock Pines, CA
What I liked
Loved the location and the people I met. Really enjoyed the experience, and learning about the structure of the forest service.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more hands on time with my supervisor.
Advice
Don't be afraid if you're out of your comfort zone, that's where you learn the most!
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Biological Technician
May 2018 • Ketchum, ID
What I liked
I got to be outdoors working to restore areas affected by fire
What I wish was different
more opportunity to plant and reseed fire areas
Advice
Do research into these jobs call and ask people at locations your are looking to apply for they will help find a fit for you and guide you so you take the proper course while in college.
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Wilderness Ranger
May - September 2019 • Mountain View, WY
What I liked
Everything. The people, the experience, the area. And that experience helped me get my foot in teh door with other opportunities.
What I wish was different
I wish it was a longer season but because of weather and school it is cut short.
Advice
Never put yourself above anything you can do.
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Wildlife Technician
May - August 2018 • Belt, MT
What I liked
The experience of a completely new forest structure and ecology. My supervisors were extremely educational and made sure my knowledge was enhanced. The hands on learning that correlated with my academic background was second to none and essential for my educational growth.
What I wish was different
More diversity in wildlife work experience.
Advice
Review the use of a dichotomous key and plant identification.
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Forestry Technician
May - September 2018 • Hebo, OR
What I liked
Freedom to make your own decisions and manage your time.
What I wish was different
Did not enjoy being stung by hornets on a daily basis. The forest is filled with them.
Advice
You will need prior forestry or natural resources experience to rate as a GS 5.
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Forest Technician
May - August 2018 • Duchesne, UT
What I liked
I enjoyed being able to work outside everyday. Working with the government has a lot of great benefits.
What I wish was different
For a seasonal job it was exactly what I was looking for.
Advice
The job can be very difficult at times but it is still the best summer job I have ever had.
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forest service trail crew intern
May - August 2018 • Evanston, WY
What I liked
I loved the experience that I got from this job. I got to learn more about what people do to run our forests and gained more curiosity about natural resources.
What I wish was different
nothing.
Advice
Start looking earlier than later for summer internships like this.
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Forest Engineering Intern
June 2023 • Missoula, MT
What I liked
Flexible schedule, outdoor job, customizable work, gained field skills
What I wish was different
Only worked field season so not great for gaining technical design experience if that is what you are looking for
Advice
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Wildlife Technician
May - August 2019 • Cedar City, UT
What I liked
I really liked that I was able to work outdoors all summer. I love the mountains and love the schedule the forest service has working 4 ten hour shifts getting all weekends and holidays off. The pay is also very good for a student.
What I wish was different
I wish that I could have had the opportunity to receive overtime and been able to work longer throughout the year.
Advice
If you want to work for the Forest Service you have to look at the job listings extremely early. To get hired on in May 2019 I applied clear back in October of 2018.
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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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Forestry Technician (Timber Presale)
May - November 2018 • Williams, AZ
What I liked
Fits my skills. Mostly outdoor work. Hands on.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Forestry Technician
May - September 2019 • Baldwin, MI
What I liked
Working outdoors in our great Manistee National Forest.
What I wish was different
I wish that I would have been able to work across different disciplines more often.
Advice
Study your trees, know the differences between maples, oaks, aspens. Use your knowledge as a foundation for your decision making. Timber marking as much as it is a science, it is an art.
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GS 4 Forest service timber crew member
May - August 2019 • Montpelier, ID
What I liked
Excellent job! I got to work in the mountains every day and cover some really neat country.
What I wish was different
Nothing. Loved the job
Advice
Get into shape for hiking early in the season!
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Wildland Firefighter
April - September 2019 • Escalante, UT
What I liked
Being outdoors
What I wish was different
Had a busier fire season
Advice
It is hard manual labor
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Wildland Firefighter
May - August 2019 • Greybull, WY
What I liked
Everything it was the funnest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had
What I wish was different
Advice
Go into it knowing it’s going to suck you are going to work long hours with a lot of physical labor. But you can get really close to people and there is a lot of camaraderie. The pay is great and it is really fun! Where else can you get paid to play with a chainsaw!
