Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Grand Junction, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is to serve as a fire dispatcher supporting fire suppression activities. The role performs standardized dispatch support, processes incident and weather information, maintains resource and communication records, and provides logistical support to fire operations. The position is not eligible for telework and may be based at one of the duty locations listed in the announcement. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The appointment is for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, and may end early due to lack of work or funds; an extension may be possible without further competition. The position may require occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or related assignments, and employees must be willing 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 old.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have prior wildland firefighting experience.
• Must pass the appropriate level of the Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and undergo medical screening.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative result.
• GW-04 qualification: six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience directly related to the position; or two years of study including at least 12 semester hours in specified natural-resource-related subjects; or an appropriate combination of experience and education above high school.
• Applicants must clearly document qualifying experience in their application and resume; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, additional pre-appointment or random drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Graduates of Job Corps fire-certified programs 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.
• Maintain resource status and tracking systems and operate telecommunications systems.
• Collect, process, collate, and submit incident information supporting fire operations, 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, to support determinations of burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.
• Enter data into fire-related computer applications, such as qualification records, fire reporting systems, and automated dispatch systems, and initially assess outputs.
• Provide critical logistical support information to the supervisor.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate and may assist with fire and aviation operational training and 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 employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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