U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz is moving forward with the most significant structural overhaul of the agency in roughly a century, consolidating operations into state-based offices and preparing to interview candidates for 15 newly created state director positions that drew approximately 300 applications.

The reorganization dissolves regional offices that have operated since the Gifford Pinchot era in the early 1900s and marks a substantial shift in how the agency manages its 193 million acres across the country. Schultz said interviews for the state director roles would begin within the next couple of weeks, with new state offices expected to be operational by late October or early November.

Scope of the Restructuring

The Forest Service, which employs roughly 30,000 staff nationwide, is undergoing changes that extend beyond the state director positions. The reorganization has prompted discussion about closing nearly five dozen research and development stations, a move that reflects the agency’s broader recalibration under the current administration.

Each state office is expected to house between six and eight employees. The Forest Service headquarters is relocating from Washington, D.C. to the Salt Lake City area as part of the restructuring. Wyoming’s state office will be based in Cheyenne, though a building has not yet been selected.

Timeline and Background

Discussion of a state-centered reorganization dates to 2008, but the effort became more formal in August 2024 following a meeting at Park City’s Deer Valley Resort. The changes were formally set in motion this spring after being signaled during the summer of 2025.

Schultz, who previously served as Idaho Department of Lands director and worked as an executive with an Idaho logging company, was hired by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in February 2025. His appointment reflected the incoming administration’s focus on restructuring federal agencies.

Staffing and Resource Adjustments

The Forest Service workforce has contracted by approximately 18 percent during the efficiency-focused effort undertaken by the current administration. The combination of staff reduction and organizational restructuring represents a significant transformation for an agency whose current form has remained largely intact for decades.

The competition for state director positions has been robust, with an average of 20 applications per available job, suggesting substantial interest in leadership roles within the newly configured system.

Political Response

The reorganization has drawn scrutiny from critics who question its scope and implementation. One opponent characterized the changes as a dramatic departure from established practices, stating “This is turning over 100 years of organization. This is not thought out. And it’s chaotic.”

Schultz has proceeded with the restructuring despite concerns about the pace and planning of the transition. The Forest Service chief’s background in state land management and the timber industry aligns with the administration’s stated priorities for reducing federal regulatory overhead and emphasizing state-level management of natural resources.

The state-based model represents a fundamental reorientation of agency operations that will be tested once the new offices become fully functional later this fall.