Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operator)

Forest Service • Buffalo Creek, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is based on a National Forest and serves as a crewmember on a wildland fire engine crew within the fire management organization. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work. The incumbent serves as a senior or experienced wildland firefighter, operating an engine independently in wildland fire suppression and prescribed-fire activities. The work may also involve assignments on hand crews or other related fire suppression crews, fuels management, and resource projects under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.

The position is temporary for up to six months or, in some cases, up to a not-to-exceed period of one year. The appointment may end early due to lack of work or funds, and an extension may be possible without further competition. Expected start dates are between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement; pay varies by location. The incumbent must be willing to live and work in remote, potentially volatile or unpredictable locations, and occasional overnight travel may be required.

The role requires arduous-duty physical fitness and compliance with Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards. The incumbent must pass the arduous Work Capacity Test, which 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 and satisfactory background adjudication. A valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, or medical examination may be required for some fire positions.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national and at least 18 years old.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check and satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative pre-employment result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test. The test requires a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must have successfully completed the NWCG Primary Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and the Secondary Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290). Documentation must be supplied; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
• For GW-05, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; or a qualifying four-year college course of study 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 a fire-engine pump and adjusting controls under close supervision, maintaining and making minor repairs to a fire engine, and serving as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns while monitoring or controlling fire and collecting weather and fire-behavior data.
• Must provide a resume that clearly demonstrates qualifying experience; education-based qualifications require transcripts, and course descriptions may be requested as necessary.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations; occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or a physical or medical examination.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Responsibilities

• Drive the fire engine to incident locations while considering crew and equipment safety and how best to use the engine in fire-control and mop-up operations.
• Operate the pump engine, prime the pump, adjust engine speed and pump valves, lay hose, and select and adjust nozzles to use water and additives effectively; may direct others performing these tasks.
• Perform specialized duties such as water handling, qualified chainsaw operation, or responsibility for equipment used in wildland-urban interface or intermix incidents.
• Gather and consider weather, topography, fuel-type, and fire-behavior information when responding to wildland fire incidents.
• Recommend approaches and practices for positioning and deploying personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment used in wildland and prescribed-fire situations, making emergency repairs when needed to keep equipment in service.
• 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; promote the safety and welfare of self and others.
• May inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazard-fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris, and perform assigned duties during prescribed-fire fuel-reduction efforts.
• May perform other duties designated on an Incident Qualification Card and project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment or facilities maintenance.
• May assist with forestry or range research, resource marketing, scientific management and protection, monitoring, or development activities.
• May fill in for other work leaders on established crews and serve as an experienced firefighter on hand or other related suppression crews performing suppression or fuels-management work.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on the 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