Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Baker City, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work. The role may also involve other resource management activities, including fuels, recreation, timber, reforestation, fuel inventory, and hazard fuel reduction projects when not assigned to fire suppression. Depending on experience, the employee may be assigned to structure fire defense.

As a crew member, the employee suppresses fires of varying difficulty and complexity; constructs fireline; uses hand tools and power saws; lays hose and operates pumps and other specialized equipment; conducts mop-up and patrols; and observes, records, and preserves evidence of fire causes. The employee may serve as a trainee engine operator under an engine Captain, driving and operating an engine or apparatus, positioning it safely, maintaining equipment, and making minor repairs. Assignments may also include prescribed burns, tree falling, backfires and burnouts, helitack operations, helicopter cargo loading, and rappelling.

The position requires participation in training, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques, and responsibility for personal and crew safety. The employee must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations, and may travel overnight for fire-related assignments. The position is temporary for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, with a possible extension; it may end early due to lack of work or funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must be registered with Selective Service or exempt if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to random drug testing.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test.
• The arduous Work Capacity Test requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack; the required fitness level must be maintained to remain in the position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• For GW-04 qualification, must have six months of general work experience or military service demonstrating ability to follow directions and understand and retain instructions, regulations, and procedures, plus six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-03; OR successful completion of a two-year course of study in fire training, fire science, fire technology, or a related field; OR an appropriate combination of experience and education.
• Applicants must clearly document qualifying experience in their application and provide transcripts when qualifying on education; course descriptions may be requested.
• Must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.
• A commercial driver's license may be a condition of employment for some fire positions.
• Experience or training in fire training, fire science, fire technology, forestry, range, parks, wildland firefighting, fire prevention or control, or related natural-resource support work.

Responsibilities

• Suppress wildland fires as a member of a fire crew, performing assignments across a range of fire difficulty and complexity.
• Construct fireline by moving dirt, chopping brush, felling small trees, and using hand tools and power saws.
• Lay or direct hose, use water, operate portable pumps and drip torches, and perform basic fireline activities.
• Fell trees or snags using power saws and, when assigned, rappel.
• Set backfires as directed and participate in backfire, burnout, and mobile or stationary engine-attack assignments.
• Patrol controlled fire areas and conduct mop-up by locating and extinguishing remaining burning material.
• Clean, recondition, maintain, store, and inventory firefighting tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Observe, record, and preserve evidence concerning fire causes.
• Serve as a skilled crew member on an engine and, as a trainee engine operator, drive the engine, operate the pump, and make hose lays under the direction of the engine Captain.
• Position the engine or apparatus for safe and efficient operation; service it, make minor repairs, inspect and maintain its accessories, and keep it ready for fire assignments.
• Inspect, clean, and stow hose; make emergency pump repairs and adjustments while equipment is in use.
• Perform fuels, recreation, timber, reforestation, fuel inventory, and hazard fuel reduction work when assigned outside fire suppression duties.
• Serve on organized crews during prescribed burns by monitoring and controlling fire and collecting fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
• Depending on experience and assignment, perform structure fire defense, load helicopter cargo, prepare crew and equipment manifests, and assist with helitack operations.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Follow wildland firefighting safety practices, minimize resource damage, and ensure personal and crew welfare and safety.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed