Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Forest Service•Burley, ID

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a National Forest fire crew within the fire management organization. The incumbent serves as a skilled member of a fuels management crew and may work independently or as part of a crew on fuels management, wildfire suppression, or fire prevention assignments. Work may include prescribed burning, broadcast burning, hand and machine piling, helitorch, and other brush-disposal techniques. The position uses hand and power tools, including chainsaws, firing equipment, and portable pumps, and involves collecting and recording information about fuel types, weather, fire behavior, and work completed. The position is being used to fill vacancies for the FY2027 temporary employment hiring season. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Appointments are temporary, for up to six months or not to exceed one year, and may end early due to lack of work or funds. An extension may be possible without further competition. The position is not eligible for telework, and employees must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The position requires prior wildland firefighting experience and successful completion of the arduous-level Work Capacity Test. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The employee is subject to medical screening and must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication.
Maintain direct deposit for federal payments.
Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
For the GW-05 grade, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04; or a four-year college 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.
Pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test, requiring a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass required medical screening.
Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations.
Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment requires a negative pre-employment test.
Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, additional pre-appointment or random drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.
Provide an application and resume clearly showing qualifications; provide transcripts for education-based qualifications and course descriptions as necessary.

Responsibilities

Collect and compile resource data for long- and medium-range planning, treatment, and reporting for natural and created fuel-hazard management programs.
Execute fuel treatment plans, slash hazard appraisals, and hazard-reduction plans for slash-creating projects or contracts.
Record fuel-treatment activities for required reports and final project completion.
Work with timber sales 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 plans and provide input for setting annual fuel-treatment project priorities based on budget and weather constraints.
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 accomplish program objectives.
Carry out prescribed-burning plans for less complex projects and fuel types, and supervise burning projects according to qualifications.
Locate 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 a skilled crew member, including broadcast burning, hand and machine piling, helitorch, and other brush-disposal techniques.
Use hand and power tools, including chainsaws, firing equipment, and portable pumps.
Gather and record information about fuel types, weather conditions, fire behavior, and work status.
Work independently or as a skilled crew member in wildfire suppression or fire prevention as assigned.