Forest Service engineers work in a 
broad field with many variations . . . 
In its broad mission of protection, development, and utilization of the 186 
million acres of National Forests and Grasslands, which lie in 41 of the 50 
States, the Forest Service has numerous requirements for the services of pro- 
fessional engineers. While in many instances these needs for engineering 
talent are similar to those of counties, cities, States, or other organizations 
having management responsibilities over large land areas, Forest Service 
engineers have unusual and interesting assignments which are not found 
elsewhere. 
Large areas of these National Forest lands are as yet undeveloped and still 
lie in their natural state. Although some tracts are to remain permanently 
in this status and have been designated as Wilderness Areas, the remainder 
will be made accessible and developed for various uses. For example, an 
access road system of 550,000 miles will be needed before full utilization is 
possible. At present only 180,000 miles are in existence. Development of 
the access road systems is followed by the construction of other improvements 
such as administrative headquarters, campgrounds, airfields, dwellings, 
dams, water supply and sewage disposal systems, and many others. But 
construction is not the only work of Forest Service engineers. Their other 
responsibilities include topographic and cadastral surveys, equipment man- 
agement and development, installation and maintenance of communication 
systems, and several types of research. 
Most Forest Service engineers 
work on the national forests 
Each of the 154 National Forests is identified by name. In most cases each 
forest has its own Forest Supervisor headquarters and administrative staff. 
This usually includes a Forest Engineer and his assistants, who are responsible 
for all engineering jobs on the forest insofar as responsibility can be delegated 
to them. While these people are primarily concerned with the construction of 
improvements, they also have many other responsibilities such as facility and 
equipment maintenance, watershed protection, and the other types of work 
normally done by engineers. 
Most newly employed Forest Service engineers begin their career on a National 
Forest staff. Those who choose to continue in staff work become progressively 
eligible for promotions to more responsible positions and eventually may 
become Forest Engineers. Beyond this, many former Forest Engineers have 
been promoted to positions in the Regional and Washington, D.C., offices. 
Initial experience on a forest staff is also helpful to those interested in the more 
technical aspects of engineering. Those so inclined may choose to transfer 
from a forest staff to one of the available specialized careers, which are 
equally important. 
