Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority
About The Position
This temporary Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The position serves as a senior firefighter on a hotshot crew and performs and leads fireline activities, including line construction, hose layout, pump and accessory operation, and mop-up. The firefighter applies knowledge of safety, fire behavior, terrain, weather, fuels, and fire management training to direct suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategies. The role also serves as an experienced lookout and operates and maintains specialized equipment, inspecting tools, equipment, and supplies for quantity, serviceability, and safety. The position is designated as a Senior Firefighter under the Interagency Fire Program Management standard. The selectee must have NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290) qualifications and meet the experience requirements. The work involves arduous physical exertion in forest, range, and desert environments, often in steep, uneven terrain and extreme temperatures. Firefighters may work in smoky conditions, stay in backcountry camps for extended periods, and travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Personal protective equipment is required. The appointment is temporary, limited to no more than 1,039 hours in a service year. An extension to a maximum of 1,386 hours may be possible with future approval but is not guaranteed. The position may require on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, shift work, and frequent extended work periods, particularly during fire season.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship or national status.
- Suitability for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
- Submit to and receive a negative pre-employment drug test; the position is also subject to random illegal drug testing.
- Pass a pre-employment medical examination and maintain the applicable fitness standards, including passing the work capacity test for arduous positions.
- Be at least 18 years old to be assigned to a hazardous position.
- Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license if required to operate a government or private motor vehicle for official duties.
- For individuals assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, registration for Selective Service is required.
- Meet the Interagency Fire Program Management Senior Firefighter standards, including NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290); currency is not required.
- One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-05 level, such as on-the-line wildland firefighting, operating and maintaining wildland fire tools, equipment, or vehicles, assessing escape routes and safety zones, serving as a lookout, or leading crewmembers.
- Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date; only experience and education obtained by November 10, 2026, will be considered.
- Ability to perform arduous physical work for prolonged periods, including running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, and lifting or carrying items weighing over 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in hazardous outdoor conditions, including steep and uneven terrain, smoke, extreme temperatures, and exposure to fire, machinery noise, and falling or rolling material.
- Willingness and ability to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work, and to work frequent extended periods, particularly during fire season.
- May be required to complete training and obtain or maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- Must use required personal protective equipment, including boots, hard hat, gloves, and flame-resistant clothing.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior wildland firefighter on a hotshot crew.
- Perform and lead fireline activities, including line construction, hose layout, operating pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations.
- Use knowledge of firefighter safety, fire behavior, area topography, weather, fuels, and fire management training to direct suppression operations.
- Recommend and implement tactical fire suppression strategies.
- Serve as an experienced lookout.
- Operate and maintain specialized equipment used for wildland and prescribed fire response.
- Inspect tools, equipment, and supplies for quantity, serviceability, and safety.
Benefits
- Federal employee benefits package, with eligibility dependent on position type and other factors.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
