Working for Bureau of Land Management...

[Jena]

Has anyone here ever worked for the BLM? Or even the Forest Service?

I'm thinking of trying to get on with them and was wondering if anyone had anything to say good, bad or indifferent...

Thanks
Jena

[unioncreek]

I work for the USDA and like it, there's alway something you don't like about a job, but you have to live with it. The BLM and FS have a lot more bureaucracies than where I work and that is mainly because of them dealing with more public interest groups. They have a lot of rules that you have to work with and some seem pretty ridiculous, but that happens when dealing with the public.

Bobg

[RichieC]

I have fought wildland fires for the FS, but I am guessing that isn't what you are talking about.

I can tell you that there is remarkable logistical talent in the agency.

[oceanmist]

I have worked for a private watershed association for 2 years, BLM as a biological surveyor for a 6 month season, and the forest service as a supply driver on a fire.
I enjoyed them all. The watershed was fantastic because of the level of interaction with private land owners and the ability to impact fish rearing habitats with hands on projects. But I also enjoyed BLM because of the diversity of surveys we participated in and the excellent pay and overtime and use of their vehicles rather than destroying my own!
The FS fire was well organized and I keep going back for more training in hopes of doing bookeeping for them on fires around Oregon.

Altogether if you have the education and the desire to work outdoors BLM and FS are both great organizations... the only down for BLM is the politics IMO... they have lots of federal guidelines to follow and some bs science... but you sure can't beat the pay! LOL

Misty

[fantasymaker]

Ive worked For the BLM. The BIA and the Forest Service.
I think you will find that like all US government jobs the pay is rediculously low.
BLM is probably the best mananged .but comes with the downside of not allowing you a interest in public lands.....EXCEPT CONSERVATION . Bia has a lot of great people but is a mess due to the nature of its stucture and mission. The Forest service is much the same and NOT a part of the Dept of Interior so somewhat a redheaded stepchild when it comes to public lands,

[Ed Norman]

A friend works for BLM and says it stands for Bureau of Long Meetings.

[FarmerJeff]

Worked as a firefighter and biologist for BLM and USFS in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Alaska. Compared to running a farm, those jobs were like a dream-filled vacation.

[Jena]

Originally Posted by FarmerJeff

Worked as a firefighter and biologist for BLM and USFS in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Alaska. Compared to running a farm, those jobs were like a dream-filled vacation.

Then I'll probably hate it

[Ravenlost]

Many years ago I worked for the Forest Service and absolutely loved it.

[wy_white_wolf]

Worked for the Wyoming Game and Fish back in High school one summer. I was taking care of BS at one of the hatcheries. Fun job fore the summer (mowing lawns, making ice, feeding fish and cleaning tanks). Next year they required everyone doing summer work to be a wildlife or forestry major.

[fantasymaker]

LOL aint that the way it is ya gotta have a degree in grass mowing!