Wildland Firefighter (Prevention)

Forest Service • Cloudcroft, NM

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest fire crew and fire management organization. The employee develops, implements, and administers the unit’s Fire Prevention Program. Duties include planning and delivering prevention and education activities, coordinating with government agencies and local fire departments, conducting inspections, enforcing applicable regulations, and supporting fire suppression and fuel-treatment work.

The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It may last 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 for lack of work or funds. The position is not eligible for telework. The employee must be willing to live and work in remote, potentially volatile or unpredictable locations, and occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.

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 the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment test.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test level.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations that may be volatile or unpredictable; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• For GW-06, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 grade level in Federal service or equivalent; education cannot substitute for this experience.
• Qualifying specialized experience may include performing suppression operations and instructing others during initial attack or assisting with prescribed burns; delivering formal and informal fire-prevention information; and issuing permits while ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.
• Must submit required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver’s license, a commercial driver’s license, and/or additional physical or medical examinations.

Responsibilities

• Provide input for fire prevention plans and prescribed burn plans.
• Assist with establishing fuel breaks in forests and other wildland vegetation.
• Assist in planning, analyzing, coordinating, organizing, and developing comprehensive Wildfire Prevention Analysis Plans for the unit; gather, process, analyze, and interpret risk, hazard, and value information for these plans.
• Plan cost-effective fire prevention programs within the budget and assist with annual financial and budgetary plans.
• Develop prevention and education opportunities, use WPSAPS to draft District Prevention Plans as available, and assist with staffing and carrying out prevention activities and events.
• Plan exhibits and events and organize, schedule, and direct group prevention and education contacts with local entities.
• Work with State and Federal agencies and local rural fire departments to deliver fire prevention and education messages.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement regarding State law violations, juvenile fire-setter contacts, and other violations.
• Analyze person-caused fires, identify prevention emphasis needs, prepare reports and information for possible apprehension and conviction of violators, and testify in court when required.
• Give presentations and talks and recommend or prepare public service announcements with Forest staff assistance.
• Enforce applicable Title 36 CFR regulations within Forest Service policy and perform Forest Protection Officer duties, including issuing Notices of Violation and Incident Reports.
• Coordinate and conduct fire prevention inspections; provide technical guidance on fire precautionary requirements, waivers, public-use restrictions, and substitute measures; identify corrective actions for hazardous conditions and regulatory compliance.
• Work with the COR or Sale Administrator during inspection processes.
• Issue burning or campfire permits based on fire danger levels, monitor compliance, and maintain records.
• Assist with prevention and education sign management, including preparing, maintaining, ordering, and coordinating sign inventory and posting.
• Perform suppression operations when qualified; receive fire reports, plot locations, and initiate responses as assigned.
• Maintain fire records and reports, including individual fire reports, resource orders, and incident action records; assist with fire detection as required.
• Gather, process, analyze, interpret, and comment on information for fuel-treatment plans, potentially including prescribed fire, timber sales, fuel modifications for defensible space, and fuel-break projects.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency.
• Government housing and Federal day-care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

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