Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

Forest Service • Missoula, MT

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The employee serves as an experienced smokejumper, performing parachute jumps and wildland fire suppression, and may support other resource management activities when not assigned to fire suppression. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Appointments may last up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, and may end earlier due to lack of work or funds. 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, with occasional overnight travel for fire assignments. The position requires arduous-duty medical clearance and passing the Arduous Work Capacity Test. It is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national and at least 18 years old.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks, E-Verify, and pre-employment drug testing; the position is subject to random drug testing.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations and undertake occasional overnight travel for fire assignments.
• For GW-06, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level in federal service or equivalent; education cannot substitute for this grade level.
• Qualifying specialized experience includes parachute jumps and landings under varied conditions; suppression of difficult and complex wildland fires using basic techniques; and experience as a squad boss on a fire, helitack, or pump crew, or as a crew boss, fire boss, or sector boss.
• Must provide an application and resume that clearly demonstrate qualifying experience; transcripts are required when qualifications are based on education.
• Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, or additional physical or medical examination.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Nice To Haves

• May obtain FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform parachute jumps from aircraft under varied conditions, landing on rough terrain, open areas, mountain slopes, or in timber.
• Suppress wildland fires using hand and power tools, including Pulaskis, shovels, chainsaws, and McLeods.
• Coordinate with a spotter to select jump locations.
• Evaluate fire behavior and potential fire risk, make advanced tactical decisions, and determine resource needs.
• Plan logistical needs for multiple shifts.
• When assigned, serve as an incident commander by determining fire strategy, assigning work, reviewing performance, and completing fire and time reports; may also serve as a single resource boss.
• Complete annual refresher training in parachute jumping and handling, firefighting, and specialized tools and techniques.
• Pack and maintain personal and other parachutes, including reserve parachutes; construct and maintain harnesses, jump gear, and related equipment.
• Ensure aircraft are loaded properly; construct and maintain cargo containers and cargo parachutes for paracargo operations.
• May serve as Assistant Spotter on fire and paracargo missions, assisting with deployments using crew resource management skills.
• May help train new smokejumpers in the physical and mental requirements of the role.
• Travel to fire assignments by parachute, foot, truck, bus, helicopter, or other means.
• When not performing fire suppression, may support recreation, timber, reforestation, and other resource-management activities.
• May inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazardous-fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris, and perform assigned duties during prescribed burns.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, with benefits for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed