Wildland Firefighter

Town of Vail; Vail (CO); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 34,440,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing available

Seasonal work

Job summary

Town of Vail seeks motivated wildland firefighters for a hybrid fuels and suppression program within the Vail Fire area. As a wildland firefighter, you will participate in fuels reduction, tree cutting and falling, and home hazard assessments, with engine operations and suppression tasks in a rugged, high-altitude environment.

The season runs May through October. You must be able to pass the pack test and hold a valid Colorado driver’s license or obtain one within 30 days.

Qualifications

• High School diploma is required.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of start.
• Completed Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) (S130, S190, L180, I100).
• Must pass the arduous level pack test at season start.
• Ability to use manual power tools and perform strenuous manual tasks outdoors under various conditions.

Responsibilities

• Respond to wildfires within the 200 square mile Vail response area and mutual aid in Eagle County.
• Operate engine and pump, support wildland suppression and prescribed-fire operations.
• Conduct fuels reduction activities including tree cutting and falling, piling, and hazard assessments.
• Be available for national dispatch as local conditions allow and work shifts based on module needs.

Skills

Wildland firefighting

Physical fitness

NWCG FFT2

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Future Opening. Employment dates expected: May 5th, 2025 - November 1st, 2025

Vail Fire and Emergency services is seeking motivated, experienced and physically fit candidates to join our wildland program. The Vail Fire Wildland program is a hybrid fuels and suppression program. The program operates as a type 6 engine module for initial attack and national dispatch. As a wildland firefighter for the Vail wildland program you will participate in fuels reduction including; tree cutting and falling, piling of trees and slash, wildfire home hazard assessments and fire operations including; engine and pump operations, wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations.
Response: Wildland Firefighters will respond to all wildfires within the 200 square mile Vail Fire response area as well as mutual aid requests throughout Eagle County. Elevation range within the response area is 6,000-14,000 feet above sea level with many steep and rugged slopes. The module may also be utilized for other types of all hazard calls as appropriate. Employees will be available for national dispatch as local fire conditionals allow. Employees may be exposed to extreme temperature variations, extended work hours, dust and smoke, insect bites and other unpredictable working conditions.

Schedule: The season will run May through Oct. Employees will work either a 4 day - 10 hour or 5 day- 8 hour schedule based on module and department need. Overtime is based on fire activity and need.

Housing: The Town of Vail offers several different options for employees. Employee housing isavailable on a limited basis.

It is important that individuals applying meet the following requirements:

Required

• High School diploma
• Valid Colorado driver's license or ability to obtain one with 30 days of start
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)(S130, S190,L180, I100)
• Must be able to pass the arduous level pack test upon start of season
• Must have the physical ability to use manual power tools and perform strenuous manual tasks related to wildland firefighting and fire mitigation in an outdoor environment under a variety of weather conditions.

Preferred

• Faller Type 3trainee (FALA(t)) (S-212) - Highly preferred. Candidates notpossessing thisqualification will be required to complete this department provided training as a condition of hire.
• Faller Type 2 (FALB) (S-212 and completed task book or equivalent)
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident commander type 5 (ICT5)
• Commercial drivers licenses class B orability to obtain
• Certified EMT Basic
• 1+ seasons experience wildland firefighting
• Experience/ qualification with low angle rescue, swift water or search and rescue

All job offers will be contingent upon satisfactory background check, pre-employment drug screening, medical/fit for dutyexam.

Preferencewill be given to applicants that can commit to work the entire season. Candidates must be able to work any shift including holidays and weekends.