Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Coeur d'Alene, ID

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located within a National Forest fire management organization. The incumbent serves as a fire dispatcher supporting fire suppression activities and works as a crewmember on a fire crew. The role performs standardized dispatch support duties, including processing and tracking resource requests, maintaining resource status and communication records, processing incident and weather information, and entering data into fire-related computer applications. The position is not eligible for telework and may involve work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The appointment is expected to begin between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027, and is temporary for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, with a possible extension. The appointment may end early due to lack of work or funds.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must meet applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint-check requirements.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test level.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations that may be volatile or unpredictable.
• Must meet the GW-04 qualification requirement by the announcement closing date: six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience related to the position; or successful completion of two years of qualifying study, including at least 12 semester hours in specified natural-resource or related subjects; or an appropriate combination of qualifying experience and education.
• Specialized experience examples include assisting with filing and retrieving documents in a dispatch office, or receiving and processing requests for equipment, personnel, and supplies for wildland-fire and emergency incidents.
• Must provide transcripts when relying on education to qualify.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, additional pre-appointment and random drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Follow procedures for requesting additional resources from higher organizational levels.
• 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 operating procedures.
• Process weather information, including forecasts, weather-station observations, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels.
• Enter data into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of the outputs.
• Assist in providing critical logistical support information to the supervisor.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate and possibly assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training.
• Gather information for development and maintenance of dispatch mobilization and internal operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Federal employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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