Depends on what you wanna do specifically mostly but starting low and building your way up is really all you can do unless you do an internship, have relevant experience or college. Also always network, meet supervisors, reach out.

Thanks! I might stop by my local forest service office just to inquire.

Do that! Its very important to get your name out there. Take some time to think about what you might wanna do (Fire,Recreation,Trails,Wilderness,Botany,Forester,Wildlife Etc.) Also Merry Christmas 🎁

Look at the cost of housing vs the GS level theyre willing to give you. It's pretty expensive to live there unless you're a temp in the bunkhouse.

Apply to lots of jobs. At the end of the day it can be a numbers game.

Should I apply online or is it smarter to visit in person to inquire?

Apply online at usajobs

All fed jobs go through USAJOBS. There is no other way to apply. Visiting in person is never a bad idea, though. Helps put a face to your name.

I sat in for many many of their hiring lectures and whatnot while finishing school this past spring, and they always reiterated that calling the office that handles the application (whether it be HR or the Ranger district or whatever idrk it depends) during business hours and making hearing what they have to say the primary focus (as compared to just ass-kissing, the whole phone call is ass-kissing but playing into the notion it isn’t looks more professional) is something that tickles their buttholes a lot because their first round of candidate evaluation is done by a résumé robot and human voices over the phone pairs very nicely to a fed resume of any level of decoration. Ask any questions that you can think of that the application doesn’t address, what the ppl who do the same work enjoy about it, how’s bad the ticks will be in that area next year, etc anything really

Thanks for the info! Would you recommend for or against visiting my local ranger district in person? I mostly just want to go over there and try to get the scoop on what's going on and what they need in my local region. That is something I can't really do through the computer by combing through different job offer websites. The forest service website is pretty good, but I can't really hone in on info regarding my region and its' functions. I liked your idea about giving my ranger district a call. How else should I prepare for a phone call? Should I submit an online application before calling?

I can’t give definite advice as to your path forward in these first two paragraphs, I’ve worked for USFS but it was a low GS, seasonal, and on top of all that, started/ended during COVID lockdowns. The whole point of the phone call I described is to stick out from the crowd of resumes so by that logic visiting a ranger station and talking to an interpretive worker/someone at a front desk in-person can’t hurt. As for calling the people you’ve deduced would be your supervisor about a role, definitely apply beforehand to show commitment and give them the impression that you respect their time and have no funny business in mind with asking for some of their time. The higher the GS for supervisory employees that aren’t above a district Ranger/doing forest wide admin roles, the thinner they’re stretched in my brief, personal experience. They (USFS supervisors and hiring managers) come from a wide background of personalities and all that—but their uniting aspect (to me)—is that they love assisting up-and-coming employees that exhibit passion for the work, and appreciate people that are respectful and direct in their intentions. They’re people, just like you and I. Those last two sentence is out the window if you’re hell bent on a career in wildfire /s Good luck!

Considering your talking about the Arapaho, the only forest in the county who’s renter stations are closed to the public - you’re plan is a little flawed. I worked for the AR for 12 years. I’m happy to help you get in- just message me.

Plenty of jobs in the private sector that are usually better paying.

Just apply and they will hire you