Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Bayfield, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The firefighter serves as a crewmember on an engine, hotshot, helitack, or hand crew, performing wildland fire suppression, management, and control. The role may also support fuels management and, when not assigned to fire suppression or fuels work, other resource management activities such as recreation, timber, or reforestation. Job Corps graduates of fire-certified programs are encouraged to apply.

This is a temporary position for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027 and June 13, 2027. The appointment is for up to six months or, as a not-to-exceed appointment, up to one year. It 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. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and pay varies by location.

The position requires arduous-duty medical clearance and passing the arduous-level Work Capacity Test. Employees must be willing to live or work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.

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 the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must enroll in direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative test result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test to remain in the position. The test requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must be willing to live or 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 the ability to perform the work or familiarity with the subject area, or may substitute one year of related education or appropriate firefighting training for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighting training completed as part of a high school curriculum may substitute for the six months of general experience.
• Qualifying experience may include paid or unpaid work, including relevant volunteer work.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license or commercial driver's license, and may require pre-appointment or random drug testing or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of a fire-certified Job Corps program is encouraged.
• Related education or appropriate firefighting training may substitute for general experience on a month-for-month basis.
• Examples of relevant general experience include farm or ranch labor, greenhouse or nursery work, animal care, and other paid or unpaid work demonstrating applicable abilities.

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.
• Locate and extinguish burning materials using methods such as moving dirt and applying water with a hose or backpack pump.
• Move dirt, chop brush, and fell trees to construct firelines, control the spread of wildland fires, and prepare lines before prescribed burning.
• Use hand tools and power saws for fireline construction and related fire-control work.
• Chop, carry, and pile logging slash.
• Patrol firelines to locate and extinguish sparks, flareups, and hot spots that could threaten established 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.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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