Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Baker City, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a crewmember on an engine, hotshot, helitack, or hand crew. The role involves wildland fire suppression, management, and control, as well as related fire and project work. It is a temporary position for the FY2027 hiring season, for up to six months or as a not-to-exceed appointment of up to one year. The appointment may end early for lack of work or funds, and an extension may be possible without further competition.

The firefighter may serve as a senior firefighter on a hand crew, engine, or helitack crew, with specialized duties depending on qualifications. Work includes suppressing fires on the fireline, supporting aviation and ground operations, leading a small squad, and helping ensure that crews work safely and meet quantity and quality goals. The position may also perform fuel-reduction and other land-management or facility projects.

The position requires arduous-duty medical clearance and passing the arduous Work Capacity Test. Employees must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire assignments. The position is not eligible for telework. 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 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 meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty 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 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, a relevant four-year college course of study, or a combination of education and experience.
• Must provide an IQCS Master Record or equivalent training documents proving the required selective placement factor certifications; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment result.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.
• Must be available for occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, and/or physical or medical examinations.
• Must meet state Department of Transportation licensing requirements before being assigned crew-carrier driver duties; such drivers are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.
• Must maintain the required physical fitness level while in the position.
• Application and supporting documents must demonstrate qualifications by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior firefighter on a hand crew, fire engine, or helitack crew.
• Perform wildland fire suppression by moving dirt, chopping brush, felling trees, and constructing fireline with hand tools and power saws.
• On a hand crew, potentially perform qualified faller, saw repair technician, or long-line duties, and occasionally drive a crew carrier if properly licensed.
• On an engine crew, serve as alternate to the Assistant Fire Engine Operator and assist with starting and operating pumps, laying hose, and using nozzles and water additives.
• Perform specialized engine duties such as water handling, qualified falling, or maintaining equipment for wildland-urban interface and intermix operations.
• On a helitack crew, load helicopter cargo, prepare manifests, construct helispots, and attack small fires, hot spots, and spot fires; potentially serve as a certified rappeler, accessory-equipment specialist, or short-haul crew member.
• Perform aviation and ground-support work, including servicing and operating batch mixers, tanks, pumps, valves, and hoses.
• Conduct urban-interface operations or point protection in remote settings as directed.
• Fill in for absent work leaders and potentially lead a squad of three to five firefighters in suppression work.
• Show new employees how work is performed, implement quantity and quality goals, ensure tools and equipment are available, and promote safe work practices.
• Inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, monitor burning conditions, pile logging debris, and serve in assigned positions during prescribed-fire fuel reduction.
• Perform project work such as cleaning outdoor recreation facilities, mowing and trimming, trail maintenance, building maintenance, marking timber, and checking seedling survival.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and benefits depend on appointment type and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• 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