Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Springerville, AZ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary 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 fires and other emergencies; maintains resource status and tracking systems; and operates telecommunications systems. The role processes and submits incident and weather information used to support fire operations, resource planning, preparedness levels, and staffing decisions. It also maintains dispatch records and communication logs, provides logistical information to a supervisor, assists with operational training and simulations, helps maintain dispatch guides, and shares information with cooperators and other interested entities.

The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It may be filled for up to six months or for a not-to-exceed period of one year, and may end earlier due to lack of work or funds. The role is not eligible for telework. Employees must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The position is a secondary firefighter position and is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint checks and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative test result.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• GW-04 qualification requires six months of general experience and six months of directly related specialized experience; or two years of qualifying study with at least 12 semester hours in specified natural-resource-related subjects; or an appropriate combination of qualifying experience and education.
• Application and resume must document qualifying experience; transcripts must be provided when qualifying based on education.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, additional drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of a Job Corps fire-certified program; graduates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Follow procedures to request additional resources from higher organizational levels as 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 compliance with operating procedures.
• Process weather information, including forecasts, weather-station observations, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels, for use in determining burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels.
• Enter information into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of system outputs.
• Provide logistical support information to a supervisor.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate and assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training.
• Gather information for dispatch mobilization and internal operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Availability of government housing and federal day-care facilities varies by location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed