Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Avery, ID

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest and serves as a crewmember in the fire management organization. The role focuses on wildland fire suppression, management, and control, along with operating and maintaining specialized tools and equipment. The firefighter performs fire suppression and fuels-management work on hand crews or other related crews under challenging climate, fuel, and terrain conditions, and may support prescribed-fire operations and standardized forestry work. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an appointment of up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year (not to exceed); an extension may be possible, and the appointment may end early because of lack of work or funds. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty stations are among the locations listed in the announcement; the expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The employee must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations and may travel overnight occasionally for fire or related assignments.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check and any required background investigation or fingerprint check.
• Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment result.
• Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test. The pack test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to operate light vehicles and 4x4s.
• Successfully complete the NWCG Primary Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Secondary Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290); provide IQCS Master Record or equivalent training documentation, as red cards are not acceptable.
• For GW-05, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04, a qualifying four-year college course of study with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include patrolling controlled fires to extinguish remaining burning material, serving on a specialty crew suppressing difficult and complex fires, or operating specialized suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.
• Provide a resume that clearly documents qualifying experience and transcripts when qualifying based on education; provide course descriptions if necessary.
• Be willing to live and work in remote locations and undertake occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Federal employees must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Responsibilities

• Perform wildland fire suppression and fuels-management duties as an experienced member of a hand crew or other fire suppression crew, including work under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
• Perform all aspects of wildland and prescribed-fire operations, including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up.
• May operate a chainsaw and perform chainsaw repairs, and may be certified to use helicopter long lines.
• 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 for positioning and deploying personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
• Operate, maintain, and make emergency repairs to specialized equipment used in wildland and prescribed-fire operations.
• Participate in wildland-fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques; operate tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Protect personal and crew welfare and safety throughout assignments.
• Perform standardized forestry-support duties for fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research activities.
• May inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazard-fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, and pile vegetation debris.
• May serve as an ignition or holding specialist or in another assigned role during prescribed-fire fuel-reduction work.
• May perform road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• May assist higher-level workers with forestry or range research, marketing forest or range resources, or management, protection, and development of those resources.
• May drive a crew carrier or fill in for other work leaders on established crews.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with 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