Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Alpine, AZ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is based within a National Forest fire management organization, serving as a crewmember on a fire crew. The role focuses on wildland fire suppression, management, and control, with responsibility for operating and maintaining specialized tools and equipment. 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 funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and the position is not eligible for telework.

The firefighter performs suppression and fuels-management work on hand crews or other fire suppression crews, including under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. Work includes wildland and prescribed fire preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up; collecting fire-weather, fuel, or soil-moisture information; mapping projects and maintaining records; and assessing weather, terrain, fuels, and fire behavior to recommend tactics for protecting values at risk. The firefighter operates and maintains specialized equipment, makes emergency repairs when needed, and may serve as a qualified chainsaw operator and repair technician, a helicopter long-line user, or a crew-carrier driver.

The position requires participation in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. The firefighter is responsible for personal and crew safety and must pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test, which requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The employee must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty, maintain a valid driver's license, and hold the specified NWCG qualifications: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290). The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing, medical screening, and other applicable conditions of employment.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must be subject to satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must comply with Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Must pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: hike 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 possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have successfully completed the NWCG Primary Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
• Must have successfully completed the NWCG Secondary Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
• For GW-05 qualification, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04; or a qualifying four-year college course of study in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must provide documentation of required qualifications, including IQCS Master Record or equivalent training documentation; red cards are not acceptable documentation.
• Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment result.
• May be required to have a valid state driver's license or commercial driver's license, and may be subject to additional drug testing or physical or medical examinations, depending on the position.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.
• May be required to travel overnight occasionally for fire suppression or related assignments.

Responsibilities

• Perform wildland fire suppression and fuels-management duties as an experienced member of a hand crew or other suppression crew, including under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
• Carry out all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations, including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up.
• Collect fire-weather data and fuel or soil-moisture samples, map projects, and maintain records.
• Assess weather, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior when responding to incidents.
• Recommend approaches and practices for positioning and deploying personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment used in wildland and prescribed fire situations, and make emergency repairs as necessary.
• Participate in wildland fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Operate tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and efficiently during fireline activities.
• Ensure personal and crew welfare and safety throughout assignments.
• May perform qualified chainsaw operation and chainsaw repair, use helicopter long lines, or drive a crew carrier.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and employment status.
• 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