Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • El Portal, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is hiring a GW-0456-7 Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring) for positions in El Portal, California, and Marblemount, Washington. This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. The position performs wildland fire suppression and post-fire work, collects and records fire behavior, fuels, weather, and effects data, and conducts prescribed-fire and fuels monitoring using established protocols. The employee manages monitoring equipment, tools, vehicles, and data systems, and provides field leadership, training, and guidance to crew members.

This is a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter position covered by special retirement provisions. Work is primarily outdoors in remote, rugged environments and involves arduous physical exertion, exposure to wildland fire and other field hazards, and possible extended assignments in locations with limited facilities. The position requires FFT2 certification and prior wildfire operations experience. Telework is suitable only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or national and suitable for federal employment based on a background investigation.
• Complete a pre-employment drug test with a negative result; the position is also subject to random drug testing.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination and the work capacity test for arduous positions; additional medical examinations may be required.
• Hold and maintain a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license may be required.
• Wear the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform.
• Be at least 18 years old and meet the maximum entry age requirement, subject to the stated exceptions for qualifying prior covered federal service or preference-eligible veterans.
• Possess NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification and prior experience with wildfire operations; currency is not required.
• For the GW-07 level, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in federal service, such as experience on a fire-monitoring or wildland-fire crew.
• Have experience leading or assisting in leading others in the field and performing relevant fire-management activities, including fuels, prescribed-fire, fire-effects monitoring, or post-fire work.
• Meet minimum qualifications by the announcement closing date; qualifying experience must have been obtained by 10/30/2026.
• Register for Selective Service if assigned male at birth after 12/31/1959.
• Obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• Meet any additional interagency wildland-fire qualification and training requirements specified for the position or training plan.
• Submit proof of previous or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.
• Be ineligible if convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or pardoned.

Responsibilities

• Perform wildland fire suppression and post-fire actions.
• Collect and record fire behavior, fuels, weather, and effects data.
• Conduct prescribed-fire and fuels monitoring using established protocols.
• Manage and maintain monitoring equipment, tools, vehicles, and data systems.
• Provide field leadership, training, and guidance to crew members.
• Perform fire-management activities involving suppression, fuels management, fire-effects and fuels monitoring, and post-fire operations.
• Measure and document vegetation and fuels information; identify plant species; collect and report fire behavior and weather data; evaluate initial fire situations and identify potential hazards.
• Perform arduous field activities, including running, walking, climbing over uneven or steep terrain, and lifting and carrying equipment and supplies.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to case-by-case approval and not guaranteed.
• Basic moving expense entitlements may be available to eligible applicants changing duty station to Marblemount, Washington.

What This Job Offers

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