Wildland Firefighter

Forest Service • Baldwin, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located on a fire crew within a National Forest fire management organization. The primary purpose is to perform wildland firefighting work, including suppression of fires of varying difficulty and complexity, prescribed burning, fuels management, and related resource-management projects. Depending on assignment and experience, duties may also include engine and helitack operations, helicopter cargo handling, rappelling, and structure-fire defense. The position requires adherence to wildland firefighting safety practices and the ability to meet arduous-duty medical and fitness standards.

This is a temporary federal position for the FY2027 hiring season, expected to start between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The appointment may last up to six months or up to one year, not to exceed the stated term, and may end earlier due to lack of work or funding. An extension may be possible without further competition. The position is not eligible for telework; duty locations are among those listed in the announcement, and pay varies by location. Remote work locations and occasional overnight travel may be involved.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements if a male born after December 31, 1959, unless exempt.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check and satisfactory background adjudication and/or fingerprint check.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment result.
• Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty firefighting and pass the arduous Work Capacity Test: a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. Must maintain the required fitness level while in the position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations with volatile or unpredictable conditions; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• For GW-04, 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 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 experience and education.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, additional physical or medical examinations, or other conditions of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.
• Relevant specialized experience in forestry, range, parks, wildland firefighting, fire prevention or control, or other natural-resource support work.
• A two-year course of study in fire training, fire science, fire technology, or a related field, where qualifying through education.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of a fire crew to suppress wildland fires of varying difficulty and complexity.
• Construct fireline by moving dirt, chopping brush, and cutting small trees using hand tools and power saws.
• Lay or direct hose; operate portable pumps, drip torches, and other specialized fire-suppression equipment.
• Fell trees or snags using power saws and, when assigned, perform backfire, burnout, tree-felling, helispot construction, and other specialized operations.
• Patrol controlled fire areas and conduct mop-up by locating and extinguishing remaining burning material.
• Clean, recondition, store, inspect, and maintain fire tools, equipment, hose, and engine accessories; make minor repairs and emergency pump adjustments.
• Serve as a trainee engine operator, driving and operating an engine, positioning it safely, operating its pump, and making hose lays under the direction of the engine Captain.
• Perform basic fireline work, including hose layout, pump operation, fuel lopping and scattering, holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up.
• Participate in prescribed burns by monitoring and controlling fire and collecting fire-weather and fire-behavior data.
• Perform fuels management, fuel inventories, hazard-fuel reduction, and other resource-management project work when not assigned to suppression duties.
• Load helicopter cargo and complete manifests for crews and equipment; perform assigned helitack operations and potentially rappel from a hovering helicopter.
• Report smoke, fires, location, estimated size, weather, and fire behavior to dispatchers or other officials.
• Observe and preserve evidence of fire causes.
• Participate in fire and safety training, crew proficiency checks, drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
• Follow wildland firefighting safety practices, protect personal and crew welfare, and apply techniques that minimize resource damage.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on the position type and 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