Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Adin, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work. The firefighter serves on crews assigned to suppress fires of varying difficulty and complexity, and may work on an engine, prescribed burns, fuel-reduction projects, or other resource management activities when not performing fire suppression duties. Depending on experience, the position may include structure-fire defense, helicopter cargo loading, and rappelling from a hovering helicopter.

Work includes constructing fireline with hand tools and power saws; laying or directing hose; operating pumps, drip torches, and other specialized suppression equipment; felling trees; setting backfires; and patrolling controlled fires to extinguish remaining burning material. On an engine crew, the employee may train as an engine operator, drive and position the apparatus, operate pumps, make hose lays, inspect and service equipment, and perform minor or emergency repairs. The employee also participates in prescribed burns, monitors fire conditions, collects fire-weather and fire-behavior data, and performs fuels inventory and hazard-fuel reduction work. The position requires following wildland firefighting safety practices and minimizing resource damage.

This is a temporary federal position for the FY2027 hiring season, with an appointment of up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year. The appointment may end early due to lack of work or funding. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Work is at an assigned duty location and may involve remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations, as well as occasional overnight travel for fire-related assignments. The position is not eligible for telework.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license; some positions may require a valid state driver's license or a commercial driver's license (CDL).
• Must pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test and maintain the required fitness level. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and undergo medical screening.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment test result.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations and may be required to travel overnight for fire suppression or related assignments.
• For GW-04, must have six months of general work experience or military service demonstrating ability to follow directions and understand and retain instructions, regulations, and procedures, plus six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-03; OR successful completion of a two-year course of study in fire training, fire science, fire technology, or a related field; OR an appropriate combination of experience and education.
• Applicants must clearly document qualifying experience in their application and resume; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education, with course descriptions as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.
• Experience in natural-resource support work such as forestry, range, park technician work, or wildland firefighting.
• Experience in forestry specialty support assignments such as wilderness, timber, or fire prevention and control.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of a fire crew suppressing wildland fires of varying difficulty and complexity.
• Construct fireline by moving dirt, chopping brush, and cutting small trees using hand tools and power saws.
• Lay or direct hose and operate portable pumps, drip torches, and other specialized fire suppression equipment.
• Fell trees or snags using power saws and set backfires as directed.
• Patrol controlled fires and conduct mop-up by locating and extinguishing remaining burning material.
• Clean, recondition, inspect, and store fire tools, hose, and equipment.
• Serve as a skilled crewmember on an engine and, as a trainee engine operator, drive the engine, operate the pump, and make hose lays under the engine Captain's direction.
• Position the fire engine or apparatus for safe and efficient operation; service it, make minor repairs, and keep it ready for fire response.
• Perform basic fireline activities, including line construction, hose layout, pump and accessory operation, fuel lopping and scattering, holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up.
• Observe wildland firefighting safety rules and apply practices that minimize resource damage.
• Carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout, and mobile or stationary engine attack under direct supervision or with a small crew.
• Work on prescribed burns by monitoring and controlling fire and collecting fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
• Perform fuel inventory and hazard-fuel reduction projects, and other resource management work when not assigned to fire suppression.
• Observe, record, and preserve evidence regarding the cause of fires.
• Load helicopter cargo and complete manifests for crews and equipment; may rappel from a hovering helicopter.
• Depending on experience, perform structure-fire defense.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; 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