Home / Federal careers / GS-0462
Forestry Technician
Performs technical forestry work including timber cruising, surveying, and forest management support.
What GS-0462 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0462, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0462:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Seasonal experience is creditable, where one season equals at least 3 continuous months. Experience thresholds: One season qualifies for GS-2; two seasons for GS-3; four seasons for GS-4.
Qualifying experience includes:
- Forestry aid or technician work
- Conservation technician roles involving application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices
- Farming/ranching with application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices
- Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work
Education Requirements:
- GS-3: Completion of 1 year of study with minimum 6 semester hours in range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences
- GS-4: Completion of 2 years with minimum 12 semester hours in forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, or wildland fire science (maximum 3 hours mathematics)
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree with major in forestry, range management, agriculture, or related field; OR minimum 24 semester hours in courses listed above (maximum 6 hours mathematics)
Special Provisions:
Pilot Duties (Interior Department): Current FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with appropriate ratings, instrument rating, minimum 500 flight hours as Pilot-in-Command, 25 night hours, and current Class II Medical Certificate
Smokejumper Positions: Extensive medical requirements covering vision (20/20 corrected one eye), hearing, cardiovascular health, spine/extremities mobility, height (60-77 inches), weight (120-200 pounds), and tetanus immunization within 10 years
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-2 | 1 season | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 2 seasons | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 4 seasons | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0462
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Marine Science Technician
Forestry Technician. Land management and conservation.
Skills that carry over: Land management, Environmental monitoring, Conservation, Field sampling.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Conduct timber cruises and surveys
- Mark timber for harvest
- Monitor reforestation projects
- Collect forest data
- Support fire suppression
- Maintain boundary lines
Key competencies
Forestry Knowledge
Understanding of forest management practices.
Field Skills
Ability to conduct timber cruising and surveys.
Equipment Operation
Proficiency with forestry tools and instruments.
Data Collection
Skill in gathering and recording forest data.
Physical Ability
Capability to work in rugged outdoor conditions.
Fire Support
Ability to assist with fire suppression activities.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0462
What is a Forestry Technician?
GS-0462 Forestry Technicians perform technical forest management work: timber cruising and marking, surveying boundaries, monitoring reforestation, collecting forest data, and supporting wildland fire operations. They work primarily for the Forest Service and BLM on national forests and public lands.
How much does a federal Forestry Technician make?
GS-0462 positions range from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865). Most positions are GS-5 to GS-7 ($34,454-$55,486). Lead technicians reach GS-8/9. Many positions include firefighter duties with additional hazard pay during fire season.
What are the requirements for GS-0462 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized forestry experience—timber cruising, surveys, or forest management support. Physical ability to work in rugged terrain is essential. Firefighter qualifications expand opportunities.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0462?
Yes. Military experience working outdoors, conducting land surveys, or natural resource management qualifies. Combat engineers, infantry, and anyone with rugged outdoor experience have transferable skills. Wildland firefighter training is a huge plus—many military firefighters transition directly to this series.
What is the career progression for Forestry Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-7/8/9. Many advance to Forester (GS-0460) with additional education. Fire qualifications open supervisory engine crew and fire management positions. Seasonal work often leads to permanent positions after demonstrating performance.
How do I apply for GS-0462 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Forestry Technician' or 'Forestry Aid.' Most positions are with Forest Service and BLM. Many are seasonal (fire season). Emphasize outdoor skills, physical fitness, and any forestry or fire experience. Veterans preference is valuable—land management agencies actively recruit veterans.
Ready to apply for GS-0462?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.