hello my name is David Ferrell I'm the
director of law enforcement and
investigations for the United States
Forest Service I'm pleased that you are
interested in learning more about our
agency and what our law enforcement
organization has to offer I'm sure you
are asking yourself exactly what does
the Forest Service do we're I'm glad you
asked Congress established the Forest
Service in 1905 to provide quality water
and timber for the nation's benefit over
the years the public has expanded the
list of what they want from national
forests and grasslands the Forest
Service is dedicated to the management
protection and efficient use of the
national forests and grasslands ensuring
that they continue to provide
sustainable yields of renewable
resources such as water forage wildlife
timber and outdoor recreation here's
what your future could begin if you are
looking for a challenging career in land
management law enforcement the Forest
Service is the agency for you our law
enforcement and investigation staff is
charged with protecting the public
employees and natural resources
throughout 193 million acres of National
Forest System lands from Alaska to
Puerto Rico and throughout the
continental United States law
enforcement is essential to the
effective management use and protection
of National Forest System lands and
associated resources the Forest Service
employs approximately 700 law
enforcement personnel nationwide with an
increasing number of visitors to the
national forests and grasslands the need
for law enforcement personnel continues
to grow our uniformed law enforcement
officers enforce federal laws and
regulations governing National Forest
System lands and resources they
establish a regular and recurring
presence on vast amounts of public land
roads and campgrounds taking appropriate
action when illegal activity is
discovered they work cooperatively with
federal state local and tribal law
enforcement agencies
conduct informational and educational
programs enforce controlled substance
laws assist outside agencies with search
and rescue missions of National
forestlands systems and assist with
investigations our criminal
investigators plan and conduct criminal
and administrative investigations as
they relate to laws governing the
National Forest System criminal
investigators primarily conduct
investigations involving archaeological
timber fire and wildlife violations
they've to work cooperatively with
federal state and local tribal law
enforcement agencies they conduct
complex criminal and civil
investigations involving drug
trafficking organizations domestic
terrorism and claims for or against to
the government they conduct undercover
and surveillance operations as well
there are some conditions of employment
that are required for these positions
incumbents must meet basic educational
and experience prerequisites must be
younger than 37 years of age at the time
of appointment prior service however in
approved federal law enforcement
positions may be subtracted from the
applicants actual age when making the
determination must successfully complete
the appropriate law enforcement course
pass a special background investigation
conducted initially and periodically
pass a drug urinalysis test initially
and randomly after appointment if you
are a student studying criminal justice
pursuing the bachelor's degree you may
be eligible for our student employment
program the conditions recently
mentioned apply to all candidates but in
addition to those students must be in
good standing with their educational
institution must have a 2.5 grade point
average must be a US citizen must assign
mobility and development agreements must
furnish course registration information
and transcripts
I want to personally thank you for your
interest in the u.s. Forest Service and
law enforcement and investigations join
our team today