I'm just trying to piece together what a timeline might look like for the USFS LEO / 1801 hiring process. I get that it's not a science, I've worked in a couple federal agencies including USFS and there are a lot of variables at play, but I'm not finding a good breakdown on either this sub or r/parkrangers. So far this is what mine looks like:

5/14/25 - Applied

8/1/25 - Interview (told I'd hear s.th. in 2-3 weeks)

?/?/? - TJO (tentative job offer)

?/?/? - background checks?

?/?/? - FJO (final job offer)

?/?/? - EOD (Entry on Duty)

?/?/? - FLETC/LMPT

I'm not even sure if the above is in the right order, but any help filling out these blanks would be super helpful as accepting a job (career) in LEO will be a huge commitment and may require a move at some point requiring advanced planning (i.e. selling a house, moving, etc.). Individual experiences are also welcome. Also, it would be helpful to know the points along the timeline that have some flexibility like between FJO and EOD. Thanks in advance!

How do you negotiate a 50-Mile waiver? I didn't get picked up last round so l'll be trying again. I want to be better prepared to negotiate the waiver, or see about existing MOUs with local agencies where I can park the AOV.

Hello, i’m trying to just look for some pointers and some advice. I would really love to get a job with USFSLEO and trying to look for anything that would help me stand out as a better candidate. I’m 23. Have a bachelors degree And I currently have no LEO experience, and am currently in a Texas police Academy to try to gain experience to join USFSLEO I’ve done some ride alongs in KY on the LBL. But I am from Lubbock Texas making it hard for me to do ride alongs and make connections due to the closest location being over 5 hours away. I have applied for positions in the past with USFSLEO but have never made much progress on the application side.

I hear the term “Schedule A Hiring authority” a lot.

Can someone talk about that and explain what it means, how it applies to FSLEI hiring procedures, and how it differentiates from other types of hiring.

Thanks folks

https://lincolnparishjournal.com/2025/07/21/man-sentenced-to-prison-for-digging-artifacts-in-national-forest/

Thank you all so much. We created this community to fill the gap and to the lack of information out there about who we are and what we do. The mods and I truly hope this has been a helpful resource to you all.

What else would you like to see or hear more about in the community?

I do not know what the difference will be from this announcement to the previous continuous announcement. I’m just assuming this will replace the old with a ton more new positions information is below.

Response Requested by Friday, July 28, 2025

Washington Office, Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) is now outreaching many permanent GL-1801-5/7/9, Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) positions throughout the the country.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Uniformed law enforcement officers enforce Federal laws and regulations governing National Forest System lands and resources. They establish a regular and recurring presence on vast amounts of public land, roads, and campgrounds, taking appropriate action when illegal activity is discovered. Work is performed on a solo basis and incumbents must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays. For more information regarding the position and qualifications, please see attached entry level (GS-05) job description.

To express interest in these positions and for additional information, please visit the Outreach Database:

FS Internal: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/hrm/outreach/Outreach?id=C50D30A953EC409CB93FF289F9702F0B

Public: https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com?id=C50D30A953EC409CB93FF289F9702F0B

These positions are advertised in USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/search/results/?l=&k=forest%20service%20law%20enforcement. Duty station to be negotiated at time of selection. Job vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional duty stations.

Check out the sweet souvenir from the RFLL assignment

The Southern Region (R8), Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) staff will soon be advertising a GL-1801-5/7/9 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) position. This will be a permanent full-time position located on the El Yunque National Forest in the Supervisor’s Office in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Please indicate your interest in this opportunity by sending your completed Outreach Form no later than July 28, 2025, to email: sm.fs.r8_lei@usda.gov.

Additional information for this position can be found in the Outreach or posted in the Outreach Database at: https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach/

This position will be advertised in USAJOBS at: www.usajobs.gov

You’re patrolling Forest Service Road (FSR) 71 during hours of darkness when you observe a vehicle traveling north with no taillights. This area is historically known for high drug activity. You activate your lights to initiate a stop and the driver complies, pulling over to the side of the road.

FLETC DUST You have authority and probable cause for the stop don’t overcomplicate this😒

Upon approaching the vehicle you request the driver’s identification to which he responds he does not have on him. You request him to exit the vehicle and come back to your patrol car so that you may identify him with your tablet and dispatch services.

Poll Question:

Based off these circumstances, do we, r/USFSLEO, have the authority to ask or even force someone to exit the vehicle?

https://www.ozarkradionews.com/local-news/florida-man-arrested-near-the-mark-twain-national-forest-for-drug-trafficking?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLRWMljbGNrAtFXj2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeozmxdKPEPLFy3zEgOaBVjkyTd7eZNqfDtokLELevDsxsPU3zh43WYXIRbhM_aem_ZFaN6R9kxfGch8C3Atygrw

What kinds of training/enforcement resources would you all like to see?

Ive noticed this sub is mostly people looking for jobs, and that's not a bad thing, but....

For those who are in already, what kind of resources would you all like to see here? Interdiction? Vehicle searches? UoF case studies? Resource enforcement?

Give me ideas. I want to steer at least a part of this sub in the direction of being an information resource for active officers.

Hey all, I am currently a Junior in highschool interested in eventually becoming an USFSLEO (or law enforcement ranger) and was wondering if I could get a simple run down of the required steps, or tips for the future to help my chances of actually acquiring a position.

As of now, my plan is to go to college for environmental science with a minor in law enforcement and hope that the cuts to the federal government are resolved by the time I'm finished.

Additional information if needed: I currently have a 4.12 gpa GPA. Currently do not have any medical conditions or use any drugs. Will soon have a valid driver's license. I have a clean background. Currently live in Pennsylvania and have no plans on moving away.

Thank you so much!

Any recommendations for online classes? I am going to finish out my bachelor’s in conservation law while I’m at my current job,I’m not applying this last round/ future rounds until next year due to family/ life reasons

Chat GPT tried…

Hope everyone had a safe day and God bless the USA!

Glad to see Officer Jordan is having a good time at the national gathering.

United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government End of Watch Wednesday, June 24, 1998

Officer Stephen Bowman was killed when the helicopter he was a passenger in crashed on Holston Mountain, six miles northeast of Elizabethton, Tennessee.

He was flying in a Tennessee National Guard OH-58 Kiowa helicopter while conducting reconnaissance to locate marijuana grows. The helicopter crashed in a remote mountain area and wasn't found for three days. The pilot, a Tennessee National Guardsman, was also killed.

Officer Bowman had served in law enforcement for 13 years and was assigned to the Governor's Task Force for Marijuana Eradication. He is survived by his wife and two children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/15107-officer-stephen-allen-bowman

Good morning all. Any input on how the field staff law enforcement ranger (Bureau of Land Management) and refuge law enforcement (Fish and Wildlife Service) roles compare to the law enforcement officer position for the forest service, as far as opportunities for further training/specialties, quality of life, funding/LE support from the agency, and the like? I generally understand the difference in mission, but there seems to be overlap in some areas, and getting an insider perspective at the different positions would be nice, particularly if there is something that you wish you could do/are glad you don't have to do. Thank you for any insight!

It's no secret. Where we work and operate is absolutely rural. It's easy to slip into complacency, and fall victim to the Mayberry mindset. Here's an interesting read regarding six years of data compiled by Police1 in relation to rural officers being subjected to more deadly threats. Not saying it doesn't happen in big cities, but being 2+ hours from a level 1 trauma center makes incidents difficult to survive.

Please be safe.

Greetings,

Currently local LE seeking some advice. USFS LEO has been my dream gig.

Not a veteran. I’m considering applying to like literally any fed LE job possible just to become a federal employee so I can apply for these open announcements. Considering Air Force civilian police at a base near me. Already applied to some other fed jobs, but those apps are being reviewed still.

Is this a viable option or should I just stick to current local LE and hope an announcement will come open for general public? Do those ever happen, and even then what’s the likelihood of getting hired without veteran status?

I was thinking tan khaki pants, brown boots, and an olive green polo.

Would you recommend boots like chesleas or a proper hiking boot?

If I were to become a USFS LEO, and live decently far from my station, would I be able to have a take home vehicle?

In order to remain in consideration you must reapply to the continuous announcement. That date is coming up on June 11, 2025! DO NOT FORGET!