Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service•Baker City, OR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The firefighter performs wildland fire suppression, management, and control as a specialized crew member, with responsibility for operating and maintaining specialized tools and equipment. The work includes suppression and fuels management under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions, as well as prescribed fire operations and standardized forestry support duties. The position may involve remote work locations, occasional overnight travel, and assignments lasting up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year. The appointment may end early due to lack of work or funding, and an extension may be possible without further competition. The position is not eligible for telework.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Must pass background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks, E-Verify, and pre-employment drug testing; subject to random drug testing after appointment.
Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the arduous-level Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike within 45 minutes carrying a 45-pound pack.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license; may be required to have a commercial driver's license and pass a physical or medical examination.
Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required.
Must have successfully completed the NWCG Primary Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and the Secondary Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), with documentation submitted with the application.
For GW-05, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04, a qualifying four-year degree with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Application materials must clearly document qualifying experience; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education.

Responsibilities

Perform wildland fire suppression and fuels management duties as an experienced member of a hand crew or other suppression crew.
Perform prescribed fire operations, including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up.
May operate a chainsaw and perform chainsaw repairs; may use helicopter long lines if certified.
Collect fire weather data, fuel or soil moisture samples, map projects, and maintain records.
Assess weather, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior during incidents; recommend approaches for positioning personnel and equipment to protect values at risk.
Operate, maintain, and make emergency repairs to specialized fire equipment.
Participate in wildland fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
Promote the safety and welfare of self and others during assignments.
Perform forestry support duties for fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research activities.
Inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazard-fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris, and perform assigned duties during prescribed-fire fuel reduction efforts.
May perform road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and equipment or facilities maintenance.
May assist with forestry or range research, resource marketing, or the scientific management, protection, and development of forest and range resources.
May drive a crew carrier, operate light vehicles and 4X4s, or fill in for other work leaders on established crews.