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 Wildland Firefighter performs wildland fire suppression, management, and control as a specialized crewmember, with responsibility for operating and maintaining specialized tools and equipment. Duties include suppressing fires of varying difficulty and complexity, taking part in prescribed burns, and completing forestry support and natural-resource project work.

The position is temporary and is being recruited for the FY2027 temporary hiring season. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The appointment may last up to six months or, where applicable, up to one year; it may end earlier because of lack of work or funding. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and pay varies by location.

Employees must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty, pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test, and be willing to live and work in remote locations. Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing, medical screening, and background investigation and/or fingerprint checks.

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 check and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug testing.
• Must pass medical screening and meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting.
• Must take and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test and maintain the required fitness level. The test requires hiking three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• GW-04 applicants 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; or qualifying education; or an appropriate combination of experience and education.
• Qualifying education for GW-04 may be successful completion of a two-year course of study at an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology, or a related field.
• Specialized experience may include natural-resource support work such as forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighting, wilderness, timber, or fire prevention and control work.
• Must provide the required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations.
• Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or additional physical or medical examinations.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.
• Experience in tree falling, backfire, burnout, or structure fire defense may be relevant, depending on assignment.
• A valid state driver's license or commercial driver's license may be required for some positions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a skilled hand-crew member suppressing fires across a range of difficulty and complexity.
• Use and maintain specialized tools and equipment, including Pulaskis, shovels, McLeods, axes, and chainsaws, to control wildfire spread.
• 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 applying practices that minimize resource damage.
• Follow wildland firefighting safety rules and help ensure the welfare and safety of self and others.
• Carry out specialized assignments under direct supervision or with one or two other crewmembers, such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations.
• Participate in prescribed burns by monitoring and controlling fire and collecting fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
• Perform fuel inventories, hazard-fuel reduction, and other forestry support projects.
• Depending on experience, assist with structure fire defense.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Clean, maintain, recondition, store, and inventory firefighting tools, equipment, and supplies.
• When assigned to a fire lookout, detect and report wildfires; provide dispatchers with location, estimated size, and other pertinent information; and report weather and fire behavior.
• Perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment and facilities maintenance.
• Assist higher-level workers with forestry or range research, resource marketing, or the scientific management, protection, and development of forest and range resources.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive range of federal employee benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

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