Every year the US Forrest Service hires thousands of seasonal workers to take on various jobs, however these jobs will not be available this year. Due to the Forrest Service's hiring freeze, these jobs are no longer an option for seasonal workers in 2025. This post will explain the US Forrest Service's hiring freeze and simplify the reason it happened. Moreover, this post will provide answers regarding what seasonal jobs are no longer available, which jobs are still possible with the Forrest Service, and explain the full effects facing seasonal workers in 2025 due to these jobs no longer being option.
Photo Credit: Olivia Wright
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The US Forrest Service Announces Hiring Freeze
In October/September of 2024 the Forrest Service announced they would not be hiring seasonal or temporary workers for 2025, expect for fire-fighting jobs. This means over two thousand jobs are no longer available for this upcoming summer and the 2025 fiscal year.
This announcement came in the form of letters issued by the Forrest Service, sent to current seasonal employees, letting them know that their job was either no longer available or if they would have an option to become a permanent employee. Chief Moore, the current US Forrest Service Chief, held an "all-call" meeting explaining the realities of the situation on their end and confirming they would in fact have to cut seasonal jobs.
In January of 2025, a hiring freeze on US government jobs was put into effect. This freeze is meant to last 90 days and should be revisited at that time. Since the US Forrest Service is government funded, this means many permanent jobs and seasonal fire-fighting positions that are currently available have been put on pause as well.
Why the US Forrest Service is Not Hiring Seasonal Workers for 2025
Short answer... Budget cuts.
The Forrest Service received their budget for the year of 2025 in Oct/Sept of 2024. This budget was much more limited than previous years… as in, half a billion dollars less than requested. Whatever the reason(s) for this budget cut, the Forrest Service needed to work within the new budget allocated to them. One way to save money was by cutting seasonal work opportunities. In their meeting, the Forrest Service explained that they need to be careful with this lack of funding, and placed an importance on ensuring jobs for their permanent employees and having the ability to hire summer firefighters.
What Forrest Service Seasonal Jobs are Being Cut
Any temporary or seasonal jobs with the US Forrest Service, that are not firefighting jobs, are no longer available for 2025.
It is important to note that there were seasonal jobs that were converted to permanent jobs. Therefor, I am not saying these jobs don't exist. It means the following opportunities will not be available as seasonal positions; maintenance and construction, conservation, trail building and constructing, campground staff, biologist, restoration work, fire preparedness and prevention, public education, visitor center staff, and much more.
Seasonal Work Still Available with the US Forrest Service
Unless you are working with the US Forrest Service through a private contractor, a specific grant, or other third-party partner, that are only two options to work directly with the agency;
Temporary Fire Fighter
This does not including fire prevention or restoration. Both dispatch and seasonal firefighting work will be available for the 2025 season. They said that there are over 11,000 positions they can fill.
Permanent Staff Member
There are permanent job options available with the forrest service in sectors such as; grant work, mapping, communications, dispatch, watershed, public affairs, resource management, research, and more. You can also find some jobs that were once seasonal and are now permanent.
Once the government hiring freeze is lifted, you can apply to work with the US Forrest Service.
Similar Seasonal Work Opportunities like the Forrest Service
There are seasonal work opportunities in the outdoor field that are very similar, if not the same, as working a summer job with the US Forrest Service. You can find these jobs by searching seasonal/outdoor job websites like CoolWorks, or applying directly with companies such as;
Privately owned and operated camp grounds
Non-profit wildlife companies
Outdoor education institutions
Companies, lodges, and outfitters that work in/around the National Parks and Forrests
The Effect on Seasonal Workers Due to this Hiring Freeze
While all is not lost for seasonal workers, this change does have an impact on current and perspective seasonal workers in the USA;
Long-Term Seasonal Worker Struggles
For long-term seasonal workers who have been returning to their Forrest Service job every summer, this means they can no longer rely on consistent summer work. They may have already had housing lined up, turned down other jobs, and paid bills based on what the summer months normally provide for them.
Loss of Job Opportunities
Over 2,000 seasonal jobs are now no longer available, resulting in a loss of work for people who were relying on, or hopeful for, these opportunities. This also results in loss of job experience for people looking to further their career with the forrest service and outdoor and conservation work.
Seasonal Work Competition
These jobs are not available but people still need seasonal work. This means other seasonal jobs will see an influx of applications and therefore be more competitive. Jobs in similar sectors, such as National Park jobs, will most likely fill up faster and be more competitive than years past.
Seasonal Work Housing
On one hand, some of these jobs offered employees free housing or housing with low rent as part of their contract. On the other hand, there may now be more housing options available for other seasonal workers who find jobs in areas that were previously overrun with seasonal Forrest Service employees.
Who Else this Change Effects
Of course, it is not just seasonal workers that are effected by these changes. There are various parties that will face challenges as well;
Permanent Forrest Service Workers/Staff
While the Forrest Service is working to protect their permanent staff, these workers will need to cover work that was previously done by thousands of other staff members. This will put a strain on their work days as there are a lot less people working than they are used to.
Conservation Crews
Some conservation crews were converted to permanent work staff and still have work. While that is a positive thing, they are now facing the challenge of up-keeping and maintaining trails that no longer have crews to tend to them, increasing their work load.
Fire Fighters
It seems each year the number of forrest fires increase and this coming season will be no different, especially with how dry the seasons of have been. With less workers focusing on fire prevention, this may prove to be a serious problem and double the work load that fire fighters usually do.
Visitors, Hikers, & Tourists
Anyone who plans to visit/hike the 193 acres of Forrest Service land this year may be met with trail closures (for trails that have no staff to maintain them), safety issues on trail (while trying to overcome fallen trees or trail fallouts), unsanitary or closed restrooms, trash on trail, and more.
Campers & Campgrounds
While private campgrounds are still an option, many that are maintained by the Forrest Service may not have enough staff to run properly or be maintained. It may be easier for the Forrest Service to close these campgrounds or limit campsites, thus making it harder to find places for visitors to stay.
The Great Outdoors, Nature, & Wildlife
Our national forests, hiking trails, and campgrounds are starting to suffer from overuse do to the increasing amount of Americans exploring the outdoors and traveling domestically. With less workers that help protect and support this land, it is highly probable we will see negative impacts on the land and the animals that call it home.
Is this Change Permanent?
No one can definitely say what the future holds. As of February 2025, there is currently no information regarding if this will continue for the fiscal year of 2026. However, there are two factors we will need to keep an eye on to figure out if this change will be permanent;
New Leadership in Office
With the recent inauguration, some speculate that the budget will change as new laws are signed into action. How it will change we don't know.
Repercussions this Summer will Bring
The impact this change will have on the US Forrest Service's protected lands, wildlife, and workforce should fully emerge during the 2025 summer season. These changes will, in theory, reflect how the budget needs to be changed for the 2026 fiscal year.
Until time has past and the answers reveal themselves, seasonal workers will have to look elsewhere for summer work.
Conclusion
Budget cuts to the US Forrest Service have forced them to cut over 2,000 seasonal jobs for 2025. This means lack of work for thousands of summer seasonal workers this year. While there are still seasonal outdoor job opportunities available with other companies, the only options of temporary work with the Forrest Service is fire fighting. While many speculate what the long-term effects will be for workers, visitors, and the environment, we will be sure to find out the true impacts of the hiring freeze this coming summer.
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