It's worth checking on seasonal work The volume of hiring this year no doubt will be affected by the sequester's government-wide spending cuts, but Uncle Sam is always in need, some times more than others. So it is still worth checking. Here are some agencies that offer seasonal hiring. ●Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department: The tax season is the busiest time for the IRS. It offers seasonal opportunities for clerks, data transcribers, tax examiners, contract representatives and others during tax-filing season, January through May. Go to www.jobs.irs.gov/seasonal. ●National Park Service: Its mission is to safeguard nearly 400 national parks and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors annually. Many of its 20,000 employees are seasonal. There are park rangers, of course, but other positions include archaeologists, automotive mechanics, facility managers and museum professionals, to name just a few. Visit www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm or www.usajobs.gov and search on NPS. ●Bureau of Land Management: This small agency has a big mission. It administers more public land than any other federal agency (more than 245 million acres). It also manages 700 million acres of sub­surface mineral estate. Each year, the BLM hires seasonal employees, primarily wildland firefighters and laborers. It also hires for jobs such as archaeologists and park rangers. Spring and summer months are busy times at the BLM. Learn more on its career page at www.blm.gov under "Get Involved." Check www.usajobs.gov, too. The wildland firefighter job is a critical one. It's also dangerous and rather adventurous. Several other agencies also fill these jobs, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the park service. Go to www.firejobs.doi.gov. ●Forest Service, Agriculture Department: The Forest Service manages the public lands in national forests and grasslands. Its Web site states: "Due to the seasonal nature of many of the responsibilities of the Forest Service, such as wildfire fighting and seasonal recreation programs, many temporary workers are required." Go to www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/openings.shtml. ●Army Installation Management Command: IMCOM takes care of the Army's installations as well as its morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) programs. Opportunities include lifeguards, and child and youth program assistants. Check them out at www.usajobs.gov by searching for Army Installation Management Command or go to www.imcom.army.mil. Check the MWR programs for all branches of the military. ●Census Bureau: It is well known that every 10 years the bureau needs an army of temporary workers to help with the nation's head count. But temporary workers are also needed regularly at other times. Throughout the year regional offices conduct other surveys and need a smaller number of fieldworkers. Go to www.census.gov/hrd/www/jobs/fo.html. Don't assume there is nothing for you. Who knows? This may be your season. Dortch is president of the Diversa Group, which specializes in federal employment.