USDA FOREST SERVICE

Veterans Recruitment Appointment

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is filling fire positions to support fire engines and
handcrews, and dispatch. These are important positions that allow you to work outdoors, learn
new skills, and work in an awesome team environment. Come join our team and let’s work
together to care for the land and serve the people! Positions are Temporary Seasonal up to six
months. For more information about Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management, view the
following links: Working in Fire-Website and Firefighting -Video. Click here to apply.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS:
Gold Beach, OR – Gold Beach Ranger District
• GS-0462-03/04, Forestry Technician (Handcrew)
• GS-0462-03/04, Forestry Technician (Engine)

Powers, OR – Powers Ranger District

• GS-0462-03/04, Forestry Technician (Engine)

Medford, OR – Supervisor’s Office, Rogue Valley Interagency Communication Center

• GS-0462-04/05, Forestry Technician (Dispatch)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR VRA AUTHORITY:

1. In receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition, OR
2. Are a disabled veteran, OR
3. Are in receipt of an Armed forces service medal for participation in a military operation, OR
4. Are a recently separated veteran (within the last 3 years), AND
5. Separated under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
1. Resume (complete, current, and accurate);
2. DD-214 that shows Character of Service (e.g., honorable, general, etc.): Certificate of Release
or Discharge from Active Duty; and if applicable
3. Letter from Department of Veteran Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability
of 30 percent or more.
ABOUT THE POSITIONS:
• Engine Crews
These teams of two to ten firefighters work with specialized wildland fire engines that
carry special equipment to spray water and foam.

• Handcrews
These 10-person teams construct firelines around wildfires to control them, burn out fire
areas, and mop up after fires.

• Dispatch
These positions serve as a fire dispatcher in support of wildland fire preparedness and
suppression support activities but may respond to all-risk incidents as needed or directed.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS FOR HANDCREW AND ENGINE POSITIONS

Wildland firefighting is a physically demanding job and there is an arduous fitness requirement for
employment on a crew. All candidates are required to conduct a “Work Capacity Test,” also known
as a Pack Test, requiring you to walk 3 miles in 45 minutes or less with a 45 pound pack.

Many crews are expected to hike several miles to the fire before digging line or removing fuels
(wood and timber). The physical endurance required is significant and candidates should be
prepared to work long days and nights under hazardous conditions. Click Here to watch a video and
learn more about what participants can do to prepare for the physical agility test.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES:

Gold Beach and Powers, OR
This is awesome place to live and work, on scenic and rugged coast along the mighty Pacific Ocean
with wild, clear rivers cutting through the forested mountains. Gold Beach and Powers Ranger
District boast 5 wild and scenic rivers, including the famous Rogue River. If you do get stuck in the
office occasionally, ocean views from the office or a short walk to the beach will cheer you up.
After work you can surf, walk the beach, fish for steelhead or ocean fish, swim in the beautiful
rivers, and a lot more.

Gold Beach is a town of about 2500 people, located in Curry County in the southwestern part of
Oregon. Brookings is a town of about 7000 which is about 30 miles from Gold Beach, with lots of
amenities and restaurants. Gold Beach and Brookings are a resort/beach towns with a variety of
recreation opportunities including surfing, great salmon and steelhead fishing, beachcombing,
backpacking, kayaking, rafting, trail hikes, river and ocean excursions, and golf courses. It is a
beautiful place to be, and arguably the most beautiful stretch of coastline Oregon.
Powers is in the southwestern corner of Oregon, approximately 75 miles west of I-5 and 50 miles
east of the Pacific coast. It is nestled in a valley ringed by steeply forested mountains of the Coast
Range, and retains the close-knit, small-town character of a Pacific Northwest logging community.
Powers is a small community of about 750 people. It is 21 miles to the next nearest town which is
Myrtle Point and 30 miles from the Coos County seat, Coquille.

Medford, OR
Medford, Oregon (population 76,850) is in Jackson County (population 205,305). It is located
along Interstate 5, approximately 277 miles south of Portland, Oregon and 385 miles north of
San Francisco, California. Surrounding communities and towns include Ashland, Jacksonville,
Central Point, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls. It is the industrial, medical, and service center for
Southern Oregon and Northern California.

At 1,382 feet above sea level, Medford is protected by surrounding mountains and has a mild
climate. Mean annual precipitation is 20 inches. The seasons are clearly defined, temperatures
are generally mild overall, and yearly snowfall is two to three inches on the valley floor. The
median winter temperature is 36 degrees. Summers are warm with a median temperature of 94
degrees and an average of 15 days over 100 degrees. Humidity is low.

Medford has been listed in several publications as one of the top ten places to visit, live, or retire.
Medford is southern Oregon’s largest and most diverse city, and the county seat of Jackson County.
Medford’s pristine surroundings are brimming with historic wealth, cultural attractions, and rich
agriculture land. One can experience world-class art and culture at the Oregon Shakespeare
Theater, Britt Festival, or the Criterion Ginger Rogers Theater, or tour one of the many award-
winning wineries, creameries and gourmet artisan chocolate facilities. If getting back to nature is
more your style, there is a lot to choose from; hike, bike, ski, whitewater raft, and fish, visit
Oregon’s only National Park, Crater Lake or explore the natural wonders of the Oregon Caves, enjoy
a day of golfing or just stroll the many beautiful local parks. The larger Rogue Valley area provides
services for both southwest Oregon and northern California, as there is no sales tax in Oregon.
There is wide array of urban/rural lifestyle and home price options in this area.
About the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in southwest Oregon and
northwestern California, primarily in the watershed of the Rogue River. It encompasses parts of the
Cascade Mountains, Siskiyou Mountains, and Oregon Coast Range. The Forest is recognized for its
biological diversity, scenery, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Located in southwest Oregon, along the California/Oregon state line and bordering the Klamath
National Forest to the south, the Fremont-Winema Forest to the east and the Umpqua National
Forest to the north, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest ranges from the crest of the Cascade
Mountains west to the Siskiyou Mountains and nearly to the Pacific Ocean. The Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest covers almost 1.8 million acres and is unique in its botanical diversity,
largely due to the bisection of the South Cascades and Siskiyou Mountain Ranges.

The Forest is also home to an incredible abundance of Wild and Scenic Rivers (over 200 designated
miles among the Rogue, Chetco, Illinois, Elk and Smith Rivers), 7 wilderness areas (350,000 acres),
outstanding fisheries and wildlife resources and ruggedly breathtaking landscapes of mountains,
rivers and lakes with occasional meadows.

The forest leadership team manages a large and complex resource management program, including
over 2 million recreation visitors per year, 45-50 MMBF of timber harvest per year and significant
fuels reduction and restoration programs.

“A vision is not a vision unless it says yes to some ideas and no to others, inspires

people, and is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work.” Gifford Pinchot.