CAL FIRE Internships Program for Women and Graduate Students

Cal Fire hiring Student Assistant Positions (Paid), California Conservation Corps (CCC) Fire Crews, Camp Cinder 2026 (For Young Women), Interns for Forestry Assistant I (Graduate Internship)

Job Description

CAL FIRE offers several entry-level pathways for students and young professionals looking to gain “foot-in-the-door” experience in the public utility and fire service sectors. These programs are designed to transition participants from academic environments into high-stakes roles in forestry, fire prevention, and emergency response. In 2026, these CAL FIRE Internships range from technical student assistantships to high-intensity field training programs.

Whether you are performing “Deep Dive” data analysis as a GIS Student Assistant or cutting fire lines with a hand crew, you are expected to maintain the highest levels of operational security (OPSEC) and professionalism. These roles provide the “Lived Experience” necessary to become competitive for permanent Civil Service positions within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

About Company

As California’s primary agency for fire protection and resource management, CAL FIRE is a global leader in emergency response. The agency’s mission extends beyond firefighting to include forest practice inspections, watershed protection, and public education.

The culture is built on “Evidence-Based Action” and the “Silent Professional” ethos. In 2026, the department has prioritized diverse recruitment through programs like Camp Cinder, aimed at introducing young women to the fire service. The work environment provides extreme physical and intellectual rigor, where participants are encouraged to engage in Constructive Dissent during training to ensure “fail-safe” operations in the field.

Positions Available (2026 Pathways)

1. Student Assistant Positions (Paid)

These are versatile, year-round or summer roles providing technical and administrative support across various departments.

Areas of Work: Forestry, IT, Engineering, GIS (Mapping), Business Services, and Public Affairs.
Application Period: Posted as vacancies arise; requires regular monitoring of the CalCareers Student Portal.
Requirements:

Undergraduates: Must be enrolled in at least 6 units.
Graduate Students: Must be enrolled in at least 4 units.
Minimum 2.0 GPA.

Salary: $15.68 – $22.42 per hour (based on academic level).

2. California Conservation Corps (CCC) Fire Crews

Often described as a “living internship,” the CCC-CAL FIRE partnership is a premier training ground for wildland firefighters.

The Program: A one-year (or more) commitment to living and training as a member of a professional hand crew.
Certifications: Earn critical industry certs (S-130, S-190, L-180) at no cost.
The Reward: In the 2025/2026 cycle, dozens of CCC alumni were hired directly into CAL FIRE San Diego and Fresno units.

3. Forestry Assistant I (Graduate Internship)

A “deep-end” professional bridge for those who have completed their degree.

Role: Assisting in forest practice inspections and Timber Harvest Plan (THP) reviews.
Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource field.
2026 Hiring: Applications typically open in March/April for summer start dates.

4. Camp Cinder 2026 (For Young Women)

An intensive introductory internship designed to recruit young women ages 15–17.

2026 Dates:

Redding: June 22 – June 25, 2026
San Luis Obispo: June 29 – July 2, 2026

Experience: Hands-on training in vehicle extrication, hose lays, and helicopter operations.

Locations

McClellan Airfield & Sacramento: Main hubs for IT, Engineering, and Business Student Assistants.
Regional Units: Forestry and GIS roles are located in units across the state, such as San Luis Obispo and Redding.
CCC Centers: Various residential and non-residential centers throughout California.

Benefits and Salary (2026)

Program	Pay/Stipend	Additional Perks
Student Assistant	$15.68 – $22.42/hr	Flexible scheduling for classes.
CCC Fire Crew	~$2,814/month	Room & Board (at select centers) + Certifications.
Forestry Assistant I	$4,300 – $5,500/month	Path to Registered Professional Forester (RPF).
VIP Program	Volunteer	Official experience for state applications.

How to Apply (Application Process)

Search CalCareers: Use the “Student Assistant” or “Forestry Assistant I” filters on the CalCareers.ca.gov portal.
CCC Enrollment: Visit the California Conservation Corps website to apply for a fire crew position.
Volunteer in Prevention (VIP): Contact your local CAL FIRE Unit headquarters to “intern” through fire prevention and education volunteering. This counts as official experience on your STD 678 state application.
Camp Cinder: While 2026 applications closed in January, keep this on your radar for the annual 2027 cycle.