Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Veteran Crew Superintendent) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Spokane Valley, WA

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Veteran Crew Superintendent) is a GW-0456-8 position with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service in Spokane Valley, Washington. The role performs wildland fire suppression and crew leadership, as well as administrative program management. The position is a primary/rigorous firefighter role subject to special retirement provisions and a maximum entry age, with applicable exceptions for qualifying prior federal service or eligible veterans.

The employee plans and directs the use of fireline resources, directs assigned suppression operations, and recommends and implements tactical strategies for suppressing fires. The role also involves applying knowledge of firefighting safety, fire behavior, local topography, weather, fuels, and fire management training; supervising, mentoring, and instructing crewmembers; and managing planning, budget execution, and stewardship of facilities, equipment, vehicles, and accountable property.

Work takes place in forest, range, and desert environments, often in steep, uneven terrain and smoky conditions, and may involve extended periods in backcountry camps. Duties require arduous physical exertion and use of personal protective equipment. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft, overnight travel, and work on call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. The position is suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or National and meet suitability requirements for federal employment following a background investigation.
• Submit to a pre-employment drug test with a negative result and be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination and, if required, post-employment medical examinations to maintain position fitness standards.
• Pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Hold and maintain a valid state driver's license; the position requires operating a government or private motor vehicle for official duties.
• Wear the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform.
• Serve the applicable one-year probationary period or two-year trial period; selectees who have not completed a supervisory probationary period must serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959.
• Be at least 18 years old and meet the maximum entry age requirement: generally under 37, with stated exceptions for prior covered federal service or eligible veterans requesting a waiver.
• Possess NWCG qualification CRWB, ENGB, or HMGB; ICT5; and completion of L-280 Followership to Leadership. Currency is not required.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-07 or higher, including wildland fire suppression work and experience mentoring or leading lower-graded crewmembers and analyzing and predicting fire behavior.
• Include full-time status or hours worked per week for each position in the resume so qualifying experience can be credited.
• Obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• Meet all minimum qualification requirements by the announcement closing date; only experience and education obtained by 11/12/2026 will be considered.
• Meet the applicable documentation requirements for prior covered firefighter service or veterans' preference eligibility when relying on those provisions to meet age requirements.
• Meet the special retirement-system documentation requirements for prior or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative program management functions, including planning and budget execution.
• Steward facilities, equipment, vehicles, and accountable property.
• Apply knowledge of firefighting safety, fire behavior, area topography, weather, fuels, and fire management training.
• Supervise, mentor, and instruct employees on crewmember duties.
• Plan and direct utilization of fireline resources.
• Direct assigned fire suppression operations.
• Recommend and implement tactical strategies for suppressing fires, including in the field.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Eligible applicants changing duty station may receive payment of basic moving expenses, subject to Federal Travel Regulation requirements.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified applicants on a case-by-case basis; it is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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