Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Baker City, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The Wildland Firefighter serves as a skilled crewmember responsible for wildland fire suppression, management, and control, including operating and maintaining specialized tools and equipment. The position also supports prescribed burns, forestry activities, fuel reduction, and other natural-resource projects. The appointment is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year; it may end early due to lack of work or funding, and an extension may be possible. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and the position is not eligible for telework.

The work may involve remote locations and volatile or unpredictable conditions, occasional overnight travel for fire assignments, medical screening, and passing and maintaining the arduous Work Capacity Test. The arduous test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Graduates of fire-certified Job Corps programs 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 and successfully complete E-Verify employment verification.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug testing; appointment requires a negative test result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test level. The required arduous test is a three-mile hike within 45 minutes carrying a 45-pound pack, and the 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 for fire suppression or related assignments.
• For GW-04, must have six months of general work experience or military service demonstrating the ability to follow directions and understand and retain instructions, regulations, and procedures, plus six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-03; alternatively, a qualifying two-year course of study in fire training, fire science, fire technology, or a related field, or an appropriate combination of experience and education.
• General experience may include farm or ranch labor, greenhouse, nursery or landscaping work, animal care, or volunteer work in settings such as parks, hospitals, community sports leagues, or local fire departments.
• Specialized experience may include natural-resource support work such as forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighting, or routine support assignments in areas such as wilderness, timber, or fire prevention and control.
• Transcripts must be provided when qualifying based on education; course descriptions may be required.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a fire-certified Job Corps program is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a skilled hand-crew member suppressing fires across a range of difficulty and complexity.
• Use and maintain specialized firefighting tools, equipment, and techniques, including Pulaskis, shovels, McLeods, axes, and chainsaws.
• Construct fireline; lop and scatter fuels; and perform holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations.
• Move dirt and cut brush and small trees to construct fireline while following wildland firefighting safety rules and minimizing resource damage.
• Carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfires, and burnouts under direct supervision or with one or two other crewmembers.
• Work on organized crews during prescribed burns to monitor and control fire and collect fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
• Perform project work such as fuel inventory, hazard-fuel reduction, road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment and facilities maintenance.
• Perform standardized forestry support duties for fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research activities.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Promote the safety and welfare of oneself and others during assignments.
• Clean, maintain, recondition, store, and inventory firefighting tools, equipment, and supplies.
• When assigned to a fire lookout, detect and report wildfires and provide dispatchers or officials with fire location, estimated size, weather, and fire-behavior information.
• Assist higher-level workers with forestry or range research, resource marketing, or the scientific management, protection, and development of forest and range resources.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits for employees and their families; specific eligibility and offerings depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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