Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Forest Service • Ashland, MT

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a skilled member of a fuels management crew. The employee performs fuels management work, may participate in wildfire suppression or fire prevention, and may work independently or as part of a crew. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, for up to six months or a not-to-exceed period of one year; an extension may be possible. The appointment may end early because of lack of work or funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027 and June 13, 2027. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and work may involve remote, volatile or unpredictable locations and occasional overnight travel for fire-related assignments.

The employee collects and compiles resource data for fuel-hazard planning, treatments, and reporting; carries out fuel-treatment and slash-hazard plans; and documents treatment activities and project completion. Work includes coordinating with timber sales and contracting representatives on thinning and fuel-reduction projects, conducting pre-attack planning, maintaining fuel inventories, and coordinating with other functions to use workforce resources efficiently. The employee may carry out prescribed burns for less complex projects, locate areas for fuelwood removal, and use techniques such as broadcast burning, hand or machine piling, and other brush-disposal methods. Duties also include gathering information on fuel types, weather, fire behavior, and work status, and supporting wildfire suppression or fire prevention as assigned.

The position requires prior wildland firefighting experience and passing and maintaining the arduous Work Capacity Test. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The incumbent must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting. A valid driver's license must be maintained. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing and background investigation or fingerprint checks.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have prior wildland firefighting experience.
• Must meet the GW-05 qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience equivalent to 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 an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Application and resume must clearly document experience; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education, with course descriptions as necessary.
• Must pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike 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 submit to pre-employment and ongoing random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative pre-employment result.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations.
• Must be willing to travel overnight occasionally for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Must complete required federal payments by direct deposit.

Responsibilities

• Collect and compile resource data for long- and medium-range planning, treatment, and reporting for natural and created fuel-hazard management programs.
• Execute fuel-treatment plans, slash-hazard appraisals, and hazard-reduction plans for slash-creating projects or contracts.
• Record fuel-treatment activities for required reports and final project completion.
• Work with timber sales and the Contracting Officer's Representative to lay out fuel breaks, fuel-reduction corridors, piling areas, and other fuel treatments for thinning contracts.
• Conduct pre-attack plans and provide input for annual fuel-treatment project priorities in light of budget and weather constraints.
• Maintain fuel-management inventories and update files as conditions change.
• Coordinate fuel-treatment plans and activities with other functions to use workforce resources efficiently and meet program objectives.
• Carry out prescribed-burning plans for less complex projects and fuel types, and supervise burning projects according to qualifications.
• Locate areas for commercial and free-use fuelwood removal based on availability, accessibility, and consistency with the fuel-management program.
• Perform fuels-management work independently or as a skilled crew member, including broadcast burning, hand and machine piling, helitorch, and other brush-disposal techniques.
• Use hand and power tools, including chainsaws, firing equipment, and portable pumps.
• Gather and record data on fuel types, weather conditions, fire behavior, and work accomplished.
• Work independently or as a member of a skilled crew in wildfire suppression or fire prevention as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend 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