Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service•Bridgeport, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The firefighter supports wildland fire suppression, management, and control as a crewmember on an engine, hotshot, helitack, or hand crew. When not assigned to fire suppression or fuels management, the incumbent may perform other resource management work, such as recreation, timber, or reforestation activities. The position is for the FY2027 temporary hiring season and is expected to start between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It is not eligible for telework. The appointment may last up to six months or up to one year, not to exceed, and may end early because of lack of work or funding. An extension may be possible without further competition. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and pay varies by location. The position may be represented by NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE, or may be non-bargaining-unit. The job requires arduous wildland firefighting work, medical screening, and passing and maintaining the arduous Work Capacity Test. The employee 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. Fire-certified Job Corps graduates are encouraged to apply.

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 investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication, employment verification through E-Verify, and a pre-employment drug test; the position is also subject to random drug testing.
Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test: hike three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The required fitness level must be maintained to remain in the position.
Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required.
GW-03 applicants must have at least six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with the occupation, or one year of related education or appropriate firefighting training that may substitute for experience month for month. Firefighting training completed as part of a high school curriculum may substitute for the six months of general experience.
Qualifying experience may be paid or unpaid, including volunteer work.
Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license or commercial driver's license (CDL), and may require pre-appointment and random drug testing or a physical or medical examination.
Must provide required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of a fire-certified Job Corps program is encouraged.
Related education or appropriate firefighting training may be used in place of qualifying experience.
A valid state driver's license or CDL may be required for some positions.

Responsibilities

Develop knowledge of fuels management and fire suppression techniques and practices, including fireline construction and the use of pumps, engines, hose lays, foam, and retardant.
Develop knowledge of working around aircraft, applicable safety rules, and fire and fuels terminology.
Find and extinguish burning materials by moving dirt and applying water with a hose or backpack pump.
Move dirt, chop brush, and fell trees to construct fireline and control wildland fire spread, and prepare lines before prescribed burning.
Chop, carry, and pile logging slash.
Patrol firelines to find and extinguish sparks, flareups, and hot spots that could threaten developed firelines.
Clean, recondition, and store fire tools and equipment.
Perform other resource management activities, such as recreation, timber, or reforestation, when not assigned to fire suppression or fuels management.