Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Forest Service • Blairsden, CA

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 work involves collecting resource data for planning, treatment, and reporting on natural and created fuel hazards; carrying out fuel treatment plans; and supporting wildfire suppression or fire prevention as assigned.

The position is temporary and is expected to start between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It may be filled for up to six months or for a not-to-exceed period of one year, with a possible extension. The appointment may end early because of lack of work or funding. The position is not eligible for telework, may be based at a remote location, and may require occasional overnight travel for fire-related assignments. Pay varies by location; the posted salary reflects the Rest of the U.S. locality rate.

The role requires prior wildland firefighting experience, medical screening for arduous-duty firefighting, and passing and maintaining the arduous-level Work Capacity Test. The test requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

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 pass background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks and successfully complete E-Verify employment verification.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test level; the arduous test requires a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• For GW-05 qualification, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04 in federal service or equivalent; or a four-year college course of study in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include advanced-trainee wildland fire suppression duties, use of hand and power tools to suppress fires, or standard fuels management work such as broadcast burning, piling, helitorch operations, and other brush-disposal techniques.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, potentially volatile or unpredictable locations.
• Must provide required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Collect and compile resource data for long- and medium-range planning, treatment, and reporting related to fuel hazard management.
• Execute fuel treatment plans, slash hazard appraisals, and hazard reduction plans for projects or contracts that create slash.
• Record fuel treatment activities for required reports and final project completion.
• Work with timber sales staff 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 planning and provide input for annual fuel treatment priorities, taking budget and weather constraints into account.
• Maintain fuel management inventories and update records 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 in accordance with qualifications.
• Identify 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 part of a skilled crew, including broadcast burning, hand and machine piling, helitorch operations, and other brush-disposal techniques.
• Use hand and power tools, including chainsaws, firing equipment, and portable pumps.
• Gather and record information on fuel types, weather conditions, fire behavior, and work completed.
• Perform wildfire suppression or fire prevention duties independently or as a member of a skilled crew, as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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