Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)

Forest Service • Fredonia, AZ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a wildland fire engine crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work. The incumbent serves as a senior, experienced firefighter and independently operates an engine in wildland fire suppression and prescribed-fire activities, and may serve as an Incident Commander. Duties may also include fuels management, project work, and other resource-related assignments. The position is for the FY2027 temporary hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It may last up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, and may end early due to lack of work or funds. The position is not eligible for telework; duty locations vary, and work may involve remote, volatile, or unpredictable settings and occasional overnight travel.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national and at least 18 years old.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify and the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Provide documentation of the required Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or equivalent training documents; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
• Successfully complete the NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Primary Core Requirement.
• Successfully complete the NWCG Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) Secondary Core Requirement.
• Meet the GW-05 qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4, successful completion of a four-year degree program with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include operating an engine and pump under close supervision, maintaining and making minor repairs to a fire engine, and serving on an organized crew during prescribed burns while monitoring or controlling fire and collecting weather or fire-behavior data.
• Pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: hike three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and complete required medical screening.
• Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment test result.
• Be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations and undertake occasional overnight travel for fire or related assignments.
• A valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, and/or physical or medical examination may be required for some fire positions.

Responsibilities

• Independently operate a fire engine during wildland fire suppression and prescribed-fire activities, driving safely to incident locations and considering crew and equipment needs.
• Operate pumps and related controls; lay hose; select and adjust nozzles; and use water and additives effectively. Direct others in these tasks as needed.
• Perform specialized duties such as water handling, qualified chainsaw operation, or operation of equipment used in wildland-urban interface and 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, maintain, and make emergency repairs to specialized equipment; take other actions to control a fire when the apparatus cannot be used effectively.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques; use fireline tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and efficiently.
• Protect personal and crew welfare and safety throughout assignments.
• Inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazard-fuel reduction work, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris, and perform assigned prescribed-fire fuel-reduction duties as needed.
• Perform other duties listed on an Incident Qualification Card, including road and trail maintenance, habitat work, equipment or facilities maintenance, and other resource projects.
• Assist with forestry or range research, resource marketing, scientific management, protection, monitoring, and development as assigned.
• Fill in for other work leaders on established crews as needed.
• Serve as an experienced firefighter on hand crews or other fire-suppression crews, performing suppression or fuels-management duties under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits are available to eligible employees; 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