kandidatu USA

Forestry Technician (Lookout)

Forest Service · Department of Agriculture

This job in plain English

This temporary Forest Service job is a fire lookout position inside a National Forest, where you watch for smoke and report fires to fire crews. Many vacancies are open across several Idaho locations, and the job is full-time with occasional travel. Remote work is not allowed, and you must be willing to live and work in remote, unpredictable places.

Many vacancies

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.

Any U.S. citizen can apply, and U.S. nationals can too. Veterans' preference does not apply to this vacancy.

What you would do

  • Locate smoke using fire finders, compass, maps, and binoculars.
  • Radio fire locations, smoke details, and weather changes to dispatch.
  • Interpret weather data and warn crews about changing fire conditions.
  • Record daily weather and keep photo records and log books.
  • Explain fire prevention laws to visitors and issue campfire permits.

Do you qualify for GS-5?

With experience: You need one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 for the GS-5 level. Examples include keeping records and log books, maintaining lookout equipment, relaying fire data, and explaining fire prevention laws to visitors.

With education: A bachelor's degree, or four years of school above high school (120 semester hours), with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a closely related field. You can also qualify with at least 24 semester hours in courses such as forestry, wildlife management, or wildland fire science, with no more than 6 semester hours of math counting. Schools must be accredited. You can combine education with experience.

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Resume up to 2 pages with name, contact information, education, and work experience
  • Work experience dates, hours worked per week, and work schedule on your resume
  • Unofficial college transcripts with course information if you use education to qualify
  • English translation or proof of accreditation for any foreign school
  • Proof of eligibility and SF-50 if you claim CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority

How you will be rated: You take an online Assessment Questionnaire when you apply. Applicants are not rated or ranked; those who meet the minimum qualifications are referred to the selecting official after documents are checked. Inflated or inaccurate information can make you ineligible or lead to discipline.

Tips for this job:

  • Keep your resume to 2 pages or less, or you will be removed from consideration.
  • List exact dates, title, and hours per week for each job, since the resume must show them.
  • If you use education to qualify, upload unofficial transcripts that show course names and hours.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, temporary. Expected start date between April 18, 2027 and June 13, 2027.

Conditions of employment:

  • U.S. citizen or U.S. national
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Direct deposit of federal pay required
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must pass E-Verify employment check
  • Willing to live and work in remote locations

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$20.00 per hour
Pay scale and grade
GS-5 · General Schedule
Locations
  • Council, Idaho
  • Mountain Home, Idaho
  • Idaho City, Idaho
  • Cascade, Idaho
  • Lowman, Idaho
  • Weiser, Idaho
  • New Meadows, Idaho
  • Challis, Idaho
  • McCall, Idaho
  • Garden Valley, Idaho
  • Location Negotiable After Selection
Appointment
Temporary
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Openings
Many
Security clearance
Other
Travel
Occasional travel
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Forestry Technician (0462)
Announcement
27-TEMP3-R4-FS3451-5DH

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