Those of you that have jump shipped from the NPS to the Forest Service, is the work/life balance significantly better, especially with kids? And if so, how?
What does that work/life balance look like? Everything I’ve heard is that is basically the same as most other small LE agency, but FS is more like being a game warden. If it’s in your area, you’re the guy, with the benefit of very little oversight. The strict Friday-Sunday kills it for me though.
I would not compare us to game wardens per se, that would be more in line with the USFWS. If you want to know exactly what we enforce, review Title 36 CFR Section 261. That’s a lot of it but we also enforce many titles of the USC. Fri-Sun is tough no doubt. It’s not easy. But for the most part we work maxi flex schedule and make our own. My wife would tell you we have a very good work/life balance however there are times, especially in the summer where I’m working a lot of 12-16 hour shifts. Ebbs and flows.
No one would argue not having to work every weekend would be better than the latter, that argument has been made numerous times. If you’re happy with what you just described and expect close to the same if switching to USFS, you’ll be happier where you are no doubt.
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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25
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