Wildland Firefighter

South Dakota AG; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Public Safety seeks a Wildland Firefighter in Rapid City, SD. This full-time role involves directing firefighting activities, supervising crews, and ensuring safety during wildland incidents.

The position requires NWCG qualifications and a valid driver’s license, with a test of arduous capacity annually. Applicants must live within an hour of the Rapid City Crew Office and will work in demanding conditions, including extreme heat, smoke, and rough terrain, carrying equipment as

Qualifications

• Must live within one hour of Rapid City Crew Office.
• NWCG qualifications: FFT1, ICT5, FAL2.
• Current state driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Direct firefighting activities and supervise multiple firefighters.
• Organize daily tasks, training, and safety procedures for crew.
• Respond to incidents and assist in crew readiness and planning.

Skills

Lead 10-person squad

Fire suppression

Fire mobilization

Chainsaw ops

Education

NWCG FFT1

NWCG ICT5

NWCG FAL2

Tools

Power tools

Job description

Job ID: 38214

Agency: Department of Public Safety

Location: Rapid City, SD

Salary: $21.44 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: F

Closing Date: 11/24/2026

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Public Safety. For more information on the Department of Public Safety, please visit https://dps.sd.gov/ .

The Wildland Firefighter is supervised by the Wildland Fire Crew Squad leader and directs the activities of multiple firefighters by directing firefighting activities, organizing, and overseeing projects and daily tasks, facilitating safety procedures, employee/firefighter training, performing logistical and administrative functions to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew. Assists in maintaining crew response preparedness and responds to incidents as needed. The individual will assume full responsibilities in absence of the Wildland Fire Squad Leader.

This position works in fire management situations that are inherently dangerous and is exposed to unpredictable fire behavior, burns, smoke, dust, and extreme temperatures exacerbated by the need for and weight of protective gear; works around heavy equipment and aircraft in operation with limited visibility; walks and works in rough terrain; and performs continuous and hard physical labor using hand and power tools. This position also requires an annual work capacity test at the arduous level which is a three mile fast paced walk carrying 45 pounds in under 45 minutes.

Must live within one hour of the Rapid City Crew Office.

Licenses And Certifications

• Minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)Firefighter Type 2 qualification
• This position requires successful completion of the annual work capacity test at the arduous level. each year. Arduous level is walking three miles in 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.
• Must possess a current state driver's license.

NWCG qualifications: FFT1,ICT5,FAL2

Knowledge Of

• power tools and equipment typically used in fire and emergency situations such as chain saws, axes, shovels, picks, etc.;
• equipment maintenance and safety practices;
• fuels, terrain, weather, and fire behavior to make decisions and take actions;
• use of the Incident Command System terminology, organization, and command structure;
• UAS and helicopter safety.

Skill To

• provide leadership for up to 10 person squad as necessary for training and daily supervision of a diverse group of firefighters;
• manage a fire including organizing resources, choosing strategies and tactics, overseeing suppression;
• Interpret and implement fire mobilization plans and quickly locate sufficient personnel and equipment to accomplish fire suppression;
• engages in low complexity fireline chainsaw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing and limbing.

Ability To

• maintain and operate a fleet of specialized firefighting equipment; including handheld and mobile radios;
• navigate using electronics, paper maps, compass, GPS, etc.;
• interpret maps and understand topographical features and their effect on fire suppression efforts;
• acquire, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions, and to take appropriate actions;
• address actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness;
• interpret and explain department policies and procedures;
• effectively present instructional material in firefighting and fire use to other firefighters;
• packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools, for miles over rough terrain in hot and smokey conditions to get to the work site;
• maintain physical fitness standards;
• maintain and advance firefighting qualifications;
• communicate effectively.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"