Forest Service Hires Seasonal Fire Suppression Staff in Olympic National Forest

Olympic National Forest begins hiring for 2027 seasonal fire suppression roles

The U.S. Forest Service is opening applications for temporary seasonal fire positions within the Olympic National Forest to prepare for the 2027 fire season, according to an announcement from the agency released in Olympia, Wash.

The Forest Service's official description of what it bought for $325,191.62: "FIRESTORM WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION, INC. CAKNF000054 C14." The company's name and a code. That's the whole thing. It's a wildfire bill. Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc. (Chico, CA) got it for…

— https://x.com/qaggnews/status/2117234656814711149

These roles, which focus specifically on fire suppression, represent a critical component of the federal government’s seasonal readiness strategy for the Pacific Northwest. For those looking to enter the field, the application window is brief: positions became available on USAJobs.gov on October 30 and are scheduled to close on November 12, 2026.

The hiring push targets specific duty locations within the Olympic National Forest, primarily centered in Quilcene and Hoodsport. By securing these seasonal staff members well in advance of the 2027 season, the Forest Service aims to build the necessary manpower required to manage wildfire risks in these high-priority timber and recreational areas.

Available fire suppression positions in Quilcene and Hoodsport

The current recruitment drive includes multiple openings at specific grade levels to ensure a tiered response capability during active fire incidents. The following table outlines the specific announcement details for the Olympic National Forest positions:

Announcement Number	Series/Grade	Duty Location
27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC033-3DH	Fire Suppression GW-0456-4	Quilcene, Hoodsport
27-TEMPF3-R6-2PC033-3DH	Fire Suppression GW-0456-5	Quilcene, Hoodsport

Because multiple positions may be filled at each listed duty location, the agency is looking to build a robust cohort of seasonal workers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old by their first day of work to qualify for these roles.

The logistical requirements for federal seasonal applicants

Securing a federal position requires more than just a standard resume. Because these are official government roles, the Forest Service requires all interested candidates to establish formal accounts on the USAJobs portal and prepare documentation that meets specific federal requirements. This administrative hurdle ensures that all personnel are properly vetted and documented before they are deployed into the field.

For applicants who find the federal hiring process or the technicalities of the USAJobs platform confusing, the Office of Personnel Management provides a dedicated help page designed to answer common questions regarding the application lifecycle.

The timing of this announcement is significant for the local workforce in Washington. While the 2027 fire season is still months away, the narrow two-week window for applications—closing mid-November—reflects the competitive nature of seasonal federal employment. For residents in the Olympic Peninsula, these roles provide a vital seasonal economic driver, though they demand a high level of physical readiness and commitment to the unpredictable schedule of fire suppression work.

The window for submission remains open until November 12, 2026.