I’ve written of the uncertainty and impact of the Forest Service reorganization. I’ve written of how the reorganization fits within broader efforts to politicize the federal civil service and make it subservient to a powerful unitary executive, and I’ve written about how the new State Director positions have been classified to allow for political appointees. I now wonder if the arrival of political appointees is imminent for the Forest Service.
My suspicion derives from following the Forest Service’s public webpage on reorganization and seeing how it has evolved — especially the “Myths vs Facts” section and the Chief’s updates. One myth is particularly interesting — Myth: State director roles will become political positions. Here is a timeline of how that myth has changed, interspersed with a couple of the Chief’s updates:
Early 2026
Myth: State director roles will become political positions.
Fact: State directors will be filled exclusively by career federal employees.
April 2026 – August 2026
Myth: State director roles will become political positions.
Fact: State Director positions are not political appointees and are being filled through the same competitive hiring process used for all SES [Senior Executive Service] positions. These positions are being created to bring leadership closer to the work and ensure the right span of control over forests and programs. They include the same line authority needed to operate effectively, and those authorities are not being diminished.
August 24, 2026
The Chief posted an update titled “Additional key leadership assignments for reorganization” in which he announced the placement of career professionals in several upper level agency leadership jobs. He also noted:
I know you are all anxious to hear about the state offices and state directors. I expect to make those announcements in the coming weeks. These career SES roles will be filled competitively by internal and external applicants. These positions will bring leadership closer to local conditions by providing clear line authority over forest supervisors, enhancing coordination with states and tribes, and strengthening mission delivery across the country. [emphasis added]
August 31, 2026
The Chief posted a new “Additional key leadership assignments for reorganization update,” in which he announced the placement of additional career professionals in upper level agency leadership jobs, including five of the new state director positions. About the 10 remaining vacant state director jobs, he said:
Any career SES positions that remain vacant on the new organizational chart will be actively recruited, internally and externally. [emphasis added]
Now, September 2026:
The Forest Service has removed from its reorganization website any mention of:
Myth: State director roles will become political positions.
The 10 state director positions remaining to be filled are: Arizona, South Appalachian (Georgia), Mid-Atlantic/Northeast (Pennsylvania), Alaska, California-Hawaii (California), Nevada-Utah (Utah), Idaho, Washington, Montana, and North Dakota-South Dakota-Nebraska-Wyoming (Wyoming).
Hopefully, these positions will be filled by additional capable career Forest Service professionals, but don’t be surprised if we see political appointees instead.
