>>2105324I’m the USFS anon, but can still explain. Basically what I think he was getting at is that there are other agencies that have jobs like what you are looking for, and often have lesser requirements or could serve as a means to get a federal job.
For example, say your end goal is to work as an LEO for the NPS, but you can’t immediately qualify for a federal job in that field and you don’t want to join the military or a police force to get experience.
You could start as a seasonal with a state parks agency, work your way into a permanent job, take an Officer Protection Training course (usually only offered to perms at state agencies) and then have a pretty good resume for applying to federal LEO jobs. Alternatively you could look into being a rec-tec with the USFS (less competitive to get than with the NPS since the locations aren’t good and most normies who want to work outside don’t even comprehend what the USFS does, so they default to applying for NPS jobs) and get your FPO (Forest Protection Officer, basically you can write tickets but not arrest) cert. Do some SAR volunteering on the side and you’d have a more competitive resume.
Or maybe you try your hand working for the state and end up liking it just fine. Who knows? Just keep in mind there are many routes to working outside.
