Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service•Camp Verde, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a firefighter on a hand crew, engine, hotshot, or helitack crew. The role focuses on wildland fire suppression, management, and control. The position may be filled for up to six months or, as a not-to-exceed appointment, up to one year; an extension may be possible, and 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. The firefighter performs suppression and related support duties, potentially including work as a senior firefighter, crew driver, engine operator alternate, faller, saw repair technician, water-handling specialist, certified rappeler, or short-haul crew member. Duties may involve operating equipment, loading and manifesting helicopter cargo, constructing helispots, building fire line, supporting aviation and ground operations, and conducting work in wildland-urban interface or remote settings. The employee may lead a squad of three to five firefighters and help train new employees, establish work goals, ensure tools and equipment are available, and promote safe work. The position requires arduous-duty medical clearance and passing the arduous Work Capacity Test. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The employee must be willing to live or work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations and pay rates vary; the salary range shown in the announcement is for the Rest of the U.S. locality pay area.

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 adjudication and/or fingerprint checks and E-Verify employment verification.
Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test.
Must successfully complete the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
For GW-05, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04; or a four-year degree with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience may include patrolling controlled fires and extinguishing remaining burning material, serving on a specialty crew to suppress difficult and complex fires, or operating specialized suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.
Must provide IQCS Master Record or equivalent training documents showing required certification or selective placement factor attainment; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
Must be willing to live or work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.
Must be available for occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or fire-related assignments.
Must submit to pre-employment and ongoing random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment test.
Some assignments may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or a physical or medical examination.
Drivers of crew carriers must obtain the required state Department of Transportation license before being assigned driving duties and are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.
Must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior firefighter on a hand crew and perform wildland fire suppression duties.
Perform qualified faller, saw repair technician, or long-line duties when qualified.
Drive crew carriers when assigned, meeting applicable state Department of Transportation licensing requirements.
Serve as a senior firefighter on a fire engine and act as alternate to the Assistant Fire Engine Operator.
Assist with starting and operating pump engines, priming pumps, adjusting engine speed and valves, laying hose, and using nozzles and water or additives effectively.
Perform specialized duties such as water handling, falling, or maintaining equipment used in wildland-urban interface and intermix situations.
Serve as a senior firefighter on a helitack crew; load helicopter cargo, consider weight and securing needs, and complete transport manifests.
Exit helicopters in remote areas to construct helispots or attack small fires, hot spots, and spot fires.
Perform certified rappel or accessory-equipment operation and maintenance duties when qualified; may serve on a short-haul crew.
Suppress fires on the fireline by moving dirt, chopping brush, felling trees, and building fire line with hand tools and power saws.
Perform aviation and ground support activities, including servicing and operating batch mixers, tanks, pumps, valves, and hoses.
Conduct wildland-urban interface operations or point protection in remote settings as directed.
Fill in for absent work leaders on established crews.
Lead a squad of three to five firefighters on a module during suppression work on small or large fires.
Show new employees how work is performed, implement on-the-job quantity and quality goals, ensure tools and equipment are available, and ensure work is conducted safely.