US Forest Service Reviews

Pros

Great benefits, job security, great promotion potential.

Cons

Leadership changes can bring different dynamics to team.

Pros

Depending on the position you have, all employees contribute to the mission of "To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations." Not all position give you the opportunity to work out in the Forest, but you do interact with colleagues that do.

Cons

This agency is not the place to "make good money" unless you are in a scientific, technical, professional, or administrative/management position. Field-going positions don't pay well but you have the opportunity to work outdoors and not be stuck in the office every day, being able to breathe fresh air, tune in with nature, camp out, etc.

Pros

Interesting work and great people.

Cons

Government has lots of red tape.

Pros

Training opportunities Travel Great mission

Cons

Low entry level pay at gs5

Pros

Good Salary, good mission, worthwhile jobs

Cons

They offered remote positions just to bring in new people but did not allow many current employees to move to remote. Then, as soon as the new hires were done, they started canceling remote status and making employees telework instead.

Pros

Stable employment, salary, benefits and leave

Cons

Government bureaucracy, high performers make the same as low performers, not much room for forward thinking.

Pros

A lot of freedom to move around, a lot of the people who work where they live, and who take care of each other. The "get the cut out" culture is still around, and it is one of the reasons I wished to work for the Forest Service.

Cons

I never felt comfortable speaking up about how I was bullied for my age, ethnicity, religion, and lack of military training because it felt like if I did, I would be alienated at the cost of my personal safety. At one point, an employee confronted me, asking if I was going to report him for bullying. I said "no" out of fear. I don't even wish to name the specific division I was working in because I feel like there would be retalitation still. I was poorly trained and left to dry despite my personal adeptness at acquiring skills and willingness to learn. My performance evaluations and sociability with the public were rated high, yet coworkers made me look bad to management, possibly due to jealousy, and once again, because of my age and good academic record. I'm not without shortcomings. Near the end of employment, I stopped trying so hard because it felt like my work wasn't being seen. My desire to grow wasn't honored. I've made my mistakes and learned from them. I've had my own personal shortcomings. But the culture here was break people down, talk crap, and include and invite only those who are good ol' boys, rather than building people up.

Pros

Will give you the best training you can get Knowledgeable people The Good people will help you in any way they can Sometimes you’ll meet people that will become your best friends

Cons

People get terrible treatment, and even worse pay Have to work overtime to barely afford anything Promotion potential is there but difficult to get due to being held back Will work in the most messed up areas imaginable for the worst pay and somewhat okay benefits.

Pros

Important job, dedicated workers at lower levels.

Cons

It seems some mid and most upper-level leaders are completely out of touch and seem indifferent to the well-being of the people working below them. High turnover rate, long term health problems including mental illness from ptsd and extreme burnout, high divorce rate, high suicide rate, incredibly poor work-life balance, and low base pay make career prospects grim.

Pros

GIS work and Field work. Being outdoors

Cons

A little hard for women