The U.S. Forest Service says it plans to hire up to 2,000 seasonal workers for the 2026 summer recreation season, aiming to support active management work and improve access across national forests and grasslands.
The announcement came on Thursday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is restoring fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and accountability so that Americans can count on services that endure,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. “We have addressed millions of dollars in salary deficits inherited from the previous administration. The Forest Service is now on a path to fiscal solvency and able to fill these critical seasonal positions to improve services for visitors this summer.”
According to the agency, the seasonal jobs will help keep forests open, maintain campgrounds and facilities, and support nearby towns during the busy summer months.
“Hiring these seasonal positions is essential to delivering the services visitors rely on,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said. “Our seasonal employees are active members of the communities they serve. They keep forests open and accessible, campgrounds and other facilities clean, and neighboring towns thriving. It’s a direct investment in the people who make our national forests and grasslands special.”
The Forest Service said it has streamlined its hiring process and reduced the time it takes to bring people on board.
Officials say that will allow seasonal employees to start work earlier and create more opportunities for people in rural communities to compete for jobs close to home.
"This year, we're focusing our recruitment within the communities we serve,” Schultz said. “Local residents bring invaluable knowledge, pride, and a strong connection to the places we care for. We are excited to offer more opportunities for people who want to work close to home.”
The 2,000 positions are in addition to seasonal fire hiring that is already underway.
The Tahoe National Forest is part of the seasonal hiring effort and is encouraging locals to apply. They're recruiting for a variety of roles including recreation and visitor services, trail and facility maintenance and active resource management.
People interested in applying must do so through USAJOBS.gov.
Application periods, qualifications, and start dates vary depending on the job. The Forest Service encourages applicants to review job postings for deadlines and required materials.
More information about Forest Service careers, benefits, and upcoming hiring events is available at fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers.
