Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant WFM Captain) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Marblemount, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-8. The role serves as an Assistant on a Wildland Fire Module in the Cascadia Unit. Positions are located with the Olympic WFM in Port Angeles, Washington, or the Shuksan WFM in Marblemount, Washington. The position is a primary/rigorous firefighter role subject to special retirement provisions and a maximum entry age. It is not suitable for telework.

The incumbent supervises and evaluates firefighters and leads crews in wildland fire suppression and related operations. The work includes operating and maintaining firefighting vehicles and equipment, coordinating operational resources and aviation support, preparing crews and supplies for assignments, and conducting fire prevention and public education. Work takes place in demanding and hazardous outdoor environments and may involve backcountry camps, aircraft travel, overnight travel, and on-call or irregular hours.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-07 level or higher in Federal service, or equivalent, including experience leading wildland fire activities; developing or implementing initial-attack incident management strategies and tactics; and implementing mitigation measures to protect sensitive natural or cultural resources.
• Current qualifications documented by an IQCS Master Record or equivalent: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), plus Single Resource Boss, Crew (CRWB) or Single Resource Boss, Engine (ENGB).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and meet suitability requirements for Federal employment.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and a medical examination, and pass the work capacity test for arduous positions; the role may also be subject to random drug testing and post-employment medical examinations.
• Must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license and operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
• Must wear the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform and obtain a government charge card for travel; may need to complete training and maintain a charge card with travel or purchase authority.
• Must meet the primary firefighter maximum entry age requirements; applicants generally must be at least 18 and not have reached their 37th birthday, subject to stated exceptions for qualifying veterans and prior covered Federal service. The position has a mandatory retirement age of 57, subject to stated exceptions.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable; selectees who have not completed a supervisory probationary period must also serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work, and travel overnight away from home up to 15 nights per month.
• Must provide work-history hours per week in the resume for experience to receive appropriate credit; experience and education obtained after October 29, 2026, will not be considered.
• Must provide proof of prior or current status in the special enhanced annuity retirement system if applicable.
• Applicants with a misdemeanor or felony domestic-violence conviction are ineligible unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or pardoned.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, assign, and evaluate firefighters’ work, including scheduling, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Lead and direct firefighting crews in suppressing wildland fires, constructing firelines, and completing mop-up operations.
• Operate and maintain firefighting vehicles and equipment.
• Coordinate resources, supplies, and aviation support during fire operations.
• Ensure crew members, vehicles, equipment, and supplies are prepared for fire assignments and emergency response.
• Lead fire prevention and public education activities to promote fire safety and educate the public about wildfire prevention.
• Lead wildland fire activities, including planning or implementing prescribed fire or managing wildfires, to meet resource objectives.
• Develop or implement initial-attack incident management strategies and tactics to meet stated resource objectives.
• Implement mitigation measures during wildland fire activities to protect sensitive habitats, endangered species, sensitive plants, or cultural values.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type and employment status.
• Basic moving expenses may be authorized for eligible applicants who meet Federal Travel Regulation distance tests; moving expenses are taxable.
• Discretionary relocation entitlements, excluding contractor-provided home sale, may be authorized.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered to eligible, qualified applicants on a case-by-case basis; incentives are not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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