Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Bridgeport, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The firefighter performs wildland fire suppression, management, and control as a crewmember on an engine, hotshot, helitack, or hand crew. Duties may include serving as a senior firefighter, performing specialized fire and equipment tasks, and leading a small squad or filling in for other work leaders.

On a hand crew, the firefighter may serve as a qualified faller, saw repair technician, or long-line operator, and may drive a crew carrier if properly licensed. On an engine crew, the firefighter may serve as an alternate Assistant Fire Engine Operator and help operate pumps, lay hose, and use nozzles and water additives. On a helitack crew, the firefighter may load and manifest cargo, construct helispots, attack small fires and hotspots, rappel, operate accessory equipment, or serve on a short-haul crew.

Fireline work includes moving dirt, chopping brush, felling trees, and constructing fireline with hand tools and power saws. The employee may also perform aviation and ground support activities, operate and service related equipment, and conduct urban-interface or remote point-protection operations. As a work leader, the employee may show new employees how to perform tasks, help meet work goals, ensure tools and equipment are available, and promote safe work. The position is temporary for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, with a possible extension. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027 and June 13, 2027.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must pass background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test; the test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Must have successfully completed the NWCG Primary Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and the Secondary 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 course of study in an accredited college or university with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or a combination of education and experience.
• Applicants relying on education for qualification must provide transcripts; applicants must provide an IQCS Master Record or equivalent documentation showing the required certification or selective placement factor. Red cards are not acceptable documentation.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment test.
• Some assignments may require a valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, or other physical or medical examination.
• Must obtain any required state Department of Transportation license before being assigned crew-carrier driving duties.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience patrolling controlled-fire areas and extinguishing remaining burning material.
• Experience serving on a specialty crew such as a hotshot, helitack, or engine crew to suppress difficult and complex fires.
• Experience operating specialized fire-suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.
• Related college coursework in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field may qualify as an alternative to experience.

Responsibilities

• Suppress, manage, and control wildland fires as a member of a hand, engine, hotshot, or helitack crew.
• Serve as a senior firefighter on a hand crew; perform specialized duties such as qualified faller, saw repair technician, or certified long-line operator, as assigned.
• Drive a crew carrier when assigned and appropriately licensed; comply with applicable Department of Transportation requirements and testing.
• Serve as a senior firefighter on a fire engine and 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 additives effectively.
• Perform specialized engine-crew duties such as water handling, falling, or maintaining equipment for wildland-urban interface and intermix response.
• Serve as a senior firefighter on a helitack crew; load helicopter cargo, assess weight distribution and securement, and prepare personnel and equipment manifests.
• Construct helispots or attack small fires, hotspots, and spot fires in remote areas; perform specialized rappel or accessory-equipment duties, or serve on a short-haul crew as qualified.
• Build fireline and suppress fires by moving dirt, chopping brush, felling trees, and using hand tools and power saws until relieved or the fire is suppressed.
• Perform aviation and ground support activities, including servicing and operating batch mixers, tanks, pumps, valves, and hoses.
• Conduct urban-interface operations and remote point protection as directed.
• Fill in for absent work leaders and lead a squad of three to five firefighters in suppression duties.
• Train new employees on work procedures, implement quantity and quality goals, ensure tools and equipment are available, and ensure work is performed safely.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on the type of position held.
• 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