Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)

Forest Service•Burley, ID

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a wildland fire engine crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is wildland firefighting, including operating an engine independently to suppress wildland fires and support prescribed burns. The incumbent serves as a senior or experienced firefighter, may direct others in engine and pump operations, and may serve as an Incident Commander. The position may also involve fuels management, resource projects, maintenance, and other duties assigned on an Incident Qualification Card. Positions are temporary for up to six months or, in some cases, up to a not-to-exceed one year; an extension may be possible, and an appointment may end early due to lack of work or funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027 and June 13, 2027. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations may be remote and volatile or unpredictable, and occasional overnight travel may be required.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check and any required background investigation or fingerprint check.
Pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to random drug testing; appointment requires a negative result.
Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test (WCT).
Maintain the required physical fitness level while in the position; the arduous pack test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Successfully complete the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
Successfully complete the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
Provide an IQCS Master Record or equivalent training documents documenting the required certification or selective placement factors; red cards are not accepted as documentation.
Meet one of the GW-05 qualification paths by the announcement closing date: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; a four-year college course of study with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or a combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience may include operating an engine and pump controls under close supervision, maintaining and making minor repairs to a fire engine, or serving on an organized crew during prescribed burns while monitoring or controlling fire and collecting weather or fire-behavior data.
Be willing to live or work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations and travel overnight occasionally for fire or related assignments.
Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, or physical or medical examination.

Responsibilities

Drive the fire engine to incident locations while considering crew and equipment safety and how the apparatus can best support fire control and mop-up.
Operate pumps and engines, adjust pump valves and engine speed, lay hose, and use appropriate nozzles and water additives; direct others in these activities when needed.
Gather and consider weather, topography, fuel, and fire-behavior information when responding to incidents.
Recommend approaches for positioning and deploying personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
Operate, maintain, and make emergency repairs to specialized equipment used in wildland and prescribed fire situations.
Take alternative actions to control fire when the apparatus cannot be used effectively.
Participate in wildland fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
Use tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and efficiently in fire-line activities, and help ensure the welfare and safety of self and others.
Perform specialized duties such as water handling, qualified chainsaw operation, or equipment responsibilities for wildland-urban interface/intermix incidents.
Conduct fuels-management work as assigned, including inventorying fuel beds, preparing reports, reducing hazardous fuels, monitoring burning conditions, piling vegetation debris, and serving in assigned prescribed-fire positions.
Perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment or facilities maintenance.
As assigned, assist with forestry or range research, resource marketing, scientific management and protection, monitoring, and development of forest or range resources.
Fill in for other work leaders on established crews when required.
Perform fire suppression and fuels-management duties as an experienced firefighter on a hand crew or other related crew under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
Perform other duties designated on the Incident Qualification Card.