Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

Forest Service • Grants Pass, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a National Forest helitack crew within the fire management organization. The incumbent serves as a senior firefighter performing wildland fire suppression, management, and control, with responsibility for operating and maintaining specialized equipment. The role includes responding to wildland and prescribed fire incidents, sometimes under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. It may also include fuels management, forest and range project work, and assisting with research or resource management activities.

The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The appointment may last up to six months or up to a not-to-exceed one year, may end early due to lack of work or funds, and may be extended without further competition. The position is not eligible for telework and may require working and living in remote locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required. Duty location and pay vary; the stated salary range uses Rest of the U.S. locality pay.

The employee must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass and maintain the arduous Work Capacity Test. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. Required selective placement qualifications include completed NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) core requirements. 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 satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must provide IQCS Master Record or equivalent documentation proving required certifications; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
• Must meet the GW-05 qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-04, a qualifying four-year degree, or a combination of education and specialized experience.
• Must have successfully completed the NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Primary Core Requirement and Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) Secondary Core Requirement.
• Must pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike within 45 minutes carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent 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.
• A valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, or other physical or medical examination may be required for some fire positions.

Nice To Haves

• May be certified to use long-line external loads and operate and maintain accessory equipment.
• May be certified as a rappeller.
• May be qualified as a Forest Service short hauler.
• Specialized experience may include assisting with helicopter cargo loading and manifests, fire mop-up patrols, serving on a specialty crew, and operating equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.
• Education in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field may qualify in lieu of specialized experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform recurring wildland fire suppression duties as a senior firefighter on a helitack crew.
• Load helicopter personnel and cargo, account for weight distribution and securing needs, and prepare manifests for personnel and equipment.
• Inventory and inspect helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment, and ensure required equipment is available for firefighting tasks.
• Exit helicopters in remote areas when needed to construct helispots or attack small fires, hot spots, and spot fires.
• Gather and consider weather, topography, fuel-type, 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 equipment for wildland and prescribed fire response, and perform emergency repairs when needed.
• Take aggressive fire-control action using other means when apparatus cannot be used effectively.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Protect personal and crew welfare and safety throughout assignments.
• Perform fuels-management work, potentially including fuel-bed inventories, reports, hazard-fuel reduction, monitoring burning conditions, and piling vegetation debris.
• Take assigned roles such as ignition or holding specialist during prescribed-fire fuel-reduction efforts.
• Perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment or facilities maintenance.
• Assist higher-level workers with forestry or range research, resource marketing, or scientific management, protection, and development.
• Fill in for other work leaders on established crews when required.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• 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