With another extreme wildfire season looming, the U.S. Forest Service finds itself in the same position as other employers - hiring workers in a tight job market.
"How do you recruit to get people into the entry-level position?" U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said in an interview Tuesday, sounding much like the hiring manager for any business these days. Moore is hiring for one of the toughest jobs around - wildland firefighter.
Shortages of federal firefighters hampered the battle against massive California wildfires last summer.
"One thing I appreciate about the Forest Service firefighters is it's a lifestyle you bought off on," Moore said. "But over time, everything changes.
"You have a new generation of firefighters coming in that may not be willing to live that same lifestyle. How should the agency change to be more attractive?"