Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operator)

Forest Service•Avery, ID

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is based in a National Forest wildland fire management organization and serves on a wildland fire engine crew. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work, including engine operations for wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire. The incumbent may serve as a senior firefighter on an engine, on a hand crew, or on other related suppression crews, and may serve as an Incident Commander. Work may take place under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions and may involve remote locations and occasional overnight travel. The firefighter operates and maintains fire engines and specialized equipment, makes emergency repairs, and may perform specialized duties such as water handling, qualified chainsaw operation, or work involving wildland-urban interface equipment. The position also supports fuels management and prescribed fire, and may include resource, forestry, range, road, trail, habitat, and facilities projects. This is a temporary appointment for up to six months or up to one year, with a possible extension; it may end early because of lack of work or funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The role is not eligible for telework.

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 successfully pass employment verification through E-Verify.
Must receive a satisfactory adjudication of the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Must enroll in direct deposit for federal payments.
Must pass pre-employment drug testing with a negative result and is subject to random drug testing.
Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test; maintaining the required fitness level is a condition of employment.
Must be willing to live or work in remote locations and may be required to travel overnight occasionally for fire or related assignments.
Must meet the IFPM/FSFPM crosswalk requirements for the position.
Must have completed the NWCG Primary Core Requirement: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
Must have completed the NWCG Secondary Core Requirement: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
For GW-05, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; or a four-year course of study with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience may include operating an engine and pump and adjusting controls under close supervision, maintaining and making minor repairs to a fire engine, or serving as a skilled firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns while monitoring or controlling fire and collecting fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
Must provide documentation of required Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) qualifications or equivalent training; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
Must submit an application and resume that clearly demonstrate qualifying experience; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education, with course descriptions as needed.
The arduous Work Capacity Test requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or a physical or medical examination.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire engine and perform engine-operation duties during wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire.
Drive the engine to fire locations while considering crew and equipment safety and how best to use the equipment for control and mop-up operations.
Start and operate pump engines; prime pumps; adjust engine speed and pump valves; lay hose; and select and adjust nozzles to use water and additives effectively.
Perform specialized duties such as water handling, qualified chainsaw operation, or responsibility for specialized equipment used in wildland-urban interface/intermix situations.
Gather and consider weather, topography, fuel, and fire-behavior information when responding to incidents.
Recommend approaches and practices for positioning and deploying personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
Operate and maintain specialized fire equipment and perform emergency repairs as needed to keep equipment in service.
Take other actions to control a fire when the apparatus cannot be used effectively.
Participate in wildland fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
Use tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and efficiently in fire-line activities, and ensure the welfare and safety of self and others.
Inventory fuel beds; prepare related reports; perform hazard-fuel reduction projects; monitor burning conditions; pile vegetation debris; and serve in assigned roles during prescribed-fire fuel-reduction efforts, as needed.
Perform other duties designated on the Incident Qualification Card.
Perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, equipment and facilities maintenance, and other resource work, as assigned.
Assist with forestry or range research, resource marketing, scientific management and protection, monitoring, or development efforts, as assigned.
Fill in for other work leaders on established crews, as needed.
Serve as an experienced firefighter on a hand crew or other related suppression crew, performing fire suppression and/or fuels-management duties.