Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Coeur d'Alene, ID

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a fire dispatcher supporting fire suppression activities. The dispatcher receives, fills, and tracks resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents; dispatches personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies according to established procedures and plans; and requests additional resources from higher organizational levels when needed.

The role maintains resource status and tracking systems, operates telecommunications systems, records communication logs, and collects, processes, and submits incident information. It processes and interprets weather data used to determine burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources. The position enters information into fire-related applications, reviews system outputs, organizes records of orders and actions, and provides logistical information and recommendations to a supervisor.

The dispatcher may coordinate or assist with fire and aviation training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training. The role also gathers information for dispatch mobilization and operating guides and shares information with cooperators and other interested entities. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, for up to six months or up to a one-year not-to-exceed period; an extension may be possible. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The position is not eligible for telework and may require occasional overnight travel and willingness to live or work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must satisfy applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication requirements.
• Must complete required direct-deposit arrangements for federal payments.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing with a negative result and may be subject to ongoing random drug testing.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• GW-05 qualification requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4; or qualifying bachelor's degree or four years of post-high-school education with the specified major or coursework; or a qualifying combination of education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience examples include filing and retrieving documents in a dispatch office; assisting with maps, plans, guides, analyses, or reports for dispatch use; or receiving and processing requests for equipment, personnel, and supplies for wildland-fire and emergency incidents.
• Must be willing to live or work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or a physical or medical examination.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire-related assignments.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Dispatch personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies according to established procedures, plans, or field resource orders.
• Request additional resources from higher organizational levels when needed.
• Maintain resource status and tracking systems and operate telecommunications systems.
• Collect, process, collate, and submit incident information, including fire reports, smoke permits, spot weather forecasts, and prescribed-fire burn requests.
• Organize and review records of orders and actions to ensure adherence to established operating procedures.
• Process and interpret weather information to support determinations of burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.
• Enter information into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of system outputs.
• Provide logistical support information to a supervisor and recommend efficient use of available resources.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate or assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, initial-attack dispatch training, and aviation-dispatch training.
• Gather information for the development and maintenance of dispatch mobilization and internal dispatch operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and the agency should be contacted for details.
• Government housing and federal day-care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level