Forest Service announces seasonal job openings
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months AGO
<p>A Forest Service crew clears trail in the Jewel Basin in this file photo.</p>
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | February 16, 2026 5:10 AM
The Flathead National Forest and Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest have announced seasonal position openings.
In the Flathead, there are a total of 20 openings according to a release; the Helena Lewis and Clark didn’t specify how many jobs were open over its forests.
The announcement comes after there were deep cuts just a year ago to seasonal staff on both forests, particularly in trail crews. The Biden Administration froze some positions in late 2024, then the Trump Administration cut even more in 2025.
This year is expected to be a busy year in the backcountry and wilderness, as December saw big windstorms that brought down thousands of trees. Some trails across the forests are likely to have major blowdowns in need of clearing.
These job announcements bring at least some of the personnel back lost over the past couple of seasons.
On the Flathead there are 20 positions open forest-wide. Those jobs include four in Kalispell, three in Bigfork, seven out of Hungry Horse and six out of Spotted Bear. The Helena-Lewis and Clark Forest did not provide a job opening number, but that Forest includes much of the eastern side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
In addition to these jobs, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation recently announced it was hiring for trail technicians as well.
Additional information about Flathead National Forest seasonal hiring is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/working-with-us/careers/2026-summer-seasonal-jobs. Applicants can view open job announcements and submit applications through USAJOBS.gov.
For the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation jobs, visit its website at:www.bmwf.org
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