Wildland Firefighter

U.S. Department of the Interior; Carterville (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency is seeking a Wildland Firefighter to assist with fire management activities including suppression and fuels management. This entry-level position requires U.S. citizenship, a valid driver's license, and readiness for seasonal deployment in diverse locations. An official uniform is required. Housing available at several locations, including Carterville, IL.

Benefits

Housing available at several locations

Potential for rehire in subsequent seasons

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Must be capable of performing physical demands of firefighting.

Responsibilities

• Execute fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management, and suppression.
• Operate vehicles and firefighting tools.
• Assist in specialized assignments like backfire and burnout operations.

Skills

Fire suppression techniques

Fuels management

Emergency response

Tools

Light vehicles

Specialized firefighting equipment

Job description

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position. To learn more about Direct-Hire authority, go to: Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Responsibilities

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the season’s work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year.

This is an entry level position that works on a wildland fire module or crew as a Wildland Firefighter (firefighter) executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire. Work may also include all hazard and emergency response activities. Fire modules or crews include Hand Crews, Engine Crews, and Helitack Crews. Specific specialty areas of work within fire modules or crews include aviation, fire engine operation, fire management planning, fuels management, helitack, and prevention.

Wildland Firefighter (GW-03) performs assignments as an entry level wildland firefighter crew member in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Wildland Firefighter (GW-04) is a trained wildland firefighter. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Wildland Firefighter (GW-05) is a trained and experienced wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Locations for these positions are: National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Wetland Management District (WMD)

• Alamosa, CO (Alamosa NWR)
• Basking Ridge, NJ (Great Swamp NWR) - Housing Available
• Berthold, ND (Upper Souris NWR) - Housing Available
• Cache, OK (Wichita Mountains WR) - Housing Available
• Carterville, IL (Crab Orchard NWR) - Housing Available
• Carver, MN (Minnesota Valley NWR) - Housing Available
• Coleharbor, ND (Audubon NWR) - Housing Available
• Columbia, SD (Sand Lake NWR) - Housing Available
• Commerce City, CO (Rocky Mountain Arsenal)
• Detroit Lakes, MN (Detroit Lakes WMD)
• Devils Lake, ND (Devils Lake WMD) - Housing Available
• Erskine, MN (Rydell NWR) - Housing Available
• Fergus Falls, MN (Fergus Falls WMD)
• Forest City, MO (Loess Bluffs NWR) - Housing Available
• Fort Peck, MT (Charles M Russell NWR) - Housing Available
• Funk, NE (Rainwater Basin WMD) - Housing Available
• Gautier, MS (MS Sandhill Crane NWR) - Housing Available
• Hartford, KS (Flint Hills NWR)
• Immokalee, FL (Florida Panther NWR) - Housing Available
• Jamul, CA (San Diego NWR)
• Las Vegas, NV (Desert NWR) - Housing Available
• Litchfield, MN (Litchfield WMD)
• Madison, SD (Madison WMD) - Housing Available
• Madison, IN (Big Oaks NWR)
• Mayville, WI (Horicon NWR)
• Morris, MN (Morris WMD)
• Necedah, WI (Necedah NWR)
• Pingree, ND (Arrowwood NWR) - Housing Available
• Roy, MT (Charles M Russell NWR) - Housing Available
• Saint Marks, FL (St. Marks NWR) - Housing Available
• Seney, MI (Seney NWR) - Housing Available
• Soldotna, AK (Kenai NWR) - Housing Available
• Stafford, KS (Quivira NWR) - Housing Available
• Titonka, IA (Union Slough NWR)
• Titusville, FL (Merritt Island NWR) - Housing Available
• Tulelake, CA (Lower Klamath NWR) - Housing Available
• Valentine, NE (Fort Niobrara NWR) - Housing Available
• Vian, OK (Sequoyah NWR) - Housing Available
• Wapello, IA (Port Louisa NWR)
• Wells, ME (Rachel Carson NWR) - Housing Available
• Zimmerman, MN (Sherburne NWR)

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
• Drug testing position
• Medical Requirements
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Driver's License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.