Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) - Direct Hiring Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Alturas, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) is a GW-0456-8/9 position with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, stationed at one of the advertised California locations. The role supports prescribed fire and fuels-treatment operations, fuels monitoring and analysis, fire management, training, and fuels-program coordination. It is identified as a key fire-management position under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and has a full performance level of GW-09. Positions are covered by the new GW pay table for wildland firefighters. The position is performed in both office and field settings, with field duties involving hazardous fire conditions and physically demanding work. The incumbent must wear required protective clothing and the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform, maintain a valid driver’s license, and be able to fly as a passenger in helicopters and single-engine fixed-wing aircraft. The role may require on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, shift work, and frequent extended travel, particularly during fire season. A one-year probationary period is required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and suitable for Federal employment based on a background investigation.
• Must submit to a drug test and receive a negative result before appointment; the position is also subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Must operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties and hold and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Must wear the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be at least 18 years old to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• Must be able to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work as required, and undertake frequent extended travel, particularly during fire season.
• Must obtain a government charge card for travel; may be required to complete training and obtain or maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Must document prior primary/rigorous wildland firefighting experience gained through fireline work in containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. Eligibility requires either at least one full fire season in a primary wildland firefighting role or at least 14 days of on-the-ground fireline experience.
• For GW-08, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-07 or higher, including assisting with prescribed-fire plan preparation and implementation, evaluating treatments/monitoring methods/new technologies, and conducting fuels-management surveys to document hazardous fuels.
• For GW-09, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-08 or higher, including planning or implementing prescribed fire or managing wildfire to meet resource objectives, developing or implementing initial-attack incident-management strategies and tactics, and implementing mitigation measures to protect sensitive habitats, endangered species, sensitive plants, or cultural values.
• Must meet the IFPM and NWCG qualifications for the selected grade. For GW-08: Engine Boss (ENGB), Crew Boss (CRWB), Firing Boss (FIRB), or Helicopter Manager (HMGB), and Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), with currency required. For GW-09: Engine Boss (ENGB), Crew Boss (CRWB), or Helicopter Manager (HMGB), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2), with currency required.
• If selected at GW-08, must meet the GW-09 IFPM training requirements before becoming eligible for promotion to GW-09.
• For secondary firefighter retirement coverage, must demonstrate knowledge of wildland firefighting principles, methods, and techniques through direct wildland firefighting experience. Education alone does not meet this requirement; prescribed-fire experience must be supplemented by fire-suppression experience.
• Must provide a resume documenting experience, including work schedule or hours per week, and relevant experience by the stated qualification deadline of 11/09/2026.
• Must be in good physical condition and able to perform field activities, walk over rough terrain for extended periods, work in occasionally inclement weather and hazardous uncontrolled-wildfire areas, and fly as a passenger in helicopters and single-engine fixed-wing aircraft.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants may be considered for a recruitment or relocation incentive if eligible and qualified; incentives are decided case by case and are not guaranteed.
• PCS entitlements are authorized for positions in Alturas and Ukiah only.

Responsibilities

• Support prescribed fire and fuels-treatment operations, including planning, ignition, holding, mop-up, rehabilitation, monitoring, and documentation while following safety standards and regulations.
• Conduct field surveys, reconnaissance, and pre- and post-treatment monitoring to assess fuel conditions, fire behavior, treatment effectiveness, and progress toward management objectives.
• Develop routine project plans and schedules; evaluate fuels and fire-effects data; assist with treatment prescriptions and monitoring plans; and use modeling tools to support project prioritization.
• Participate in fire prevention, suppression, prescribed fire, post-fire activities, equipment operations, and structured classroom and field training.
• Assist with fuels-program planning, budgeting, contract administration, smoke management, interagency coordination, and evaluation of treatment strategies and Fire Management Plan components.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type and whether employment is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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