Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

Forest Service • Redmond, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The employee serves as an experienced smokejumper, performing parachute jumps and wildland fire suppression, and may be assigned other resource management work when not performing fire suppression duties. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season, with an appointment of 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 expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. Duty locations are among those listed in the announcement; pay varies by location. The position is not eligible for telework. Employees must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations and may travel overnight for fire assignments. Travel to assignments may involve parachuting, walking, or transportation by truck, bus, or helicopter.

The employee must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test. This test requires completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. The position is designated for pre-employment and random drug testing.

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 pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike within 45 minutes carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment test result.
• Must meet GW-06 qualifications: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-05 in federal service or equivalent. Education cannot substitute for experience at this grade.
• Specialized experience must include parachute jumps under varied conditions, suppression of difficult and complex wildland fires using basic techniques, and service as a fire-crew squad boss or as a crew boss, fire boss, or sector boss.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile, or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Must provide required application documents and meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Nice To Haves

• FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger certification may be obtained.

Responsibilities

• Perform parachute jumps from various aircraft under varied conditions, landing on rough terrain, open areas, mountain slopes, or in timber.
• Suppress wildland fires using hand and power tools, including Pulaskis, shovels, chainsaws, and McLeods.
• Coordinate with a spotter to select jump locations.
• Evaluate fire behavior and potential fire risk, make tactical decisions, and determine resource needs.
• Plan logistical needs for multiple shifts.
• When assigned as an incident commander, determine fire strategy, assign work, review performance, and complete fire and time reports.
• Serve, as assigned, as a single resource boss or assistant spotter during fire and paracargo missions.
• Complete annual refresher training in parachute jumping and handling, firefighting, and specialized tools and techniques.
• Pack and maintain personal and others' main parachutes and reserve parachutes; construct and maintain harnesses, jump gear, and other equipment.
• Ensure aircraft are loaded properly and construct and maintain cargo containers and cargo parachutes for paracargo operations.
• May obtain FAA certifications such as Senior or Master Parachute Rigger.
• May train new smokejumpers to meet the physical and mental requirements of the position.
• When not performing fire suppression duties, may conduct other resource management work, including recreation, timber, or reforestation activities.
• May inventory fuel beds, prepare reports, conduct hazard-fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris, and serve in assigned roles during prescribed-fire fuel reduction efforts.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits are available to eligible employees; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Government housing and federal day-care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

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