Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Forest Service • Canon City, CO

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest’s fire management organization and serves as a skilled member of a fuels management crew. The work includes fuels management activities and support for wildland fire suppression. When not performing fuels management, the employee may be assigned other resource management activities, such as recreation, timber, or reforestation. The position requires working in remote locations that may be volatile or unpredictable, and occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. This is a temporary position for the FY2027 hiring season, with an expected start date between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Appointments may last up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, and may end early due to lack of work or funding. An extension may be possible without further competition. The position is not eligible for telework; duty location and pay vary by location.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Pass a background investigation and/or fingerprint check, as applicable.
• Have prior wildland firefighting experience.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Pass medical screening and meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting.
• Pass and maintain the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: hike three miles within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Be willing to live and work in remote locations that may be volatile or unpredictable.
• Meet the GW-04 qualification requirements through six months of general work experience 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 education and experience.
• Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment test.
• Complete required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Some positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, and/or additional pre-appointment or random drug testing or physical or medical examinations.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.
• Education in fire training, fire science, fire technology, or a related field may satisfy the GW-04 qualification pathway.

Responsibilities

• Work independently or as a skilled member of a fuels management crew.
• Perform fuels management, including broadcast burning, hand and machine piling, helitorch operations, and other brush disposal techniques.
• Use hand and power tools, including chainsaws, firing equipment, and portable pumps.
• Gather data and record information on fuel types, weather conditions, fire behavior, and work completed.
• Observe fire safety rules and fire behavior.
• Inform forest visitors and users about fire hazards and prevention regulations.
• Clean, maintain, recondition, and store tools and equipment.
• Support wildland fire suppression activities.
• Perform other resource management activities, such as recreation, timber, or reforestation, when not assigned to fuels management.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type, including whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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