Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain) (Direct Hire Authority)

U.S. Department of the Interior; California; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior is seeking experienced Wildland Firefighters to join the National Park Service Fire and Aviation Management Division. This role involves leadership in fire management activities, requiring both physical fitness and specialized qualifications in fire operations. Successful candidates will actively participate in the firefighting efforts and ensure preparedness while also supervising a dedicated team of firefighters.

Qualifications

• Must pass a medical examination and Work Capacity Test.
• Must possess NWCG qualifications including Engine Boss and Incident Commander Type 5.
• Experience in leading crews in Wildland Fire Operations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Execute fire management activities in preparedness, fuels management, and prevention.
• Lead a Wildland Fire Engine Crew in firefighting operations.
• Conduct training and briefing sessions for crew readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Fire Management

Physical Fitness

Team Work

Job description

These positions are located in the National Park Service Fire and Aviation Management Division: A Wildland Firefighter at this level is an experienced leader and member of a Wildland Fire Engine Crew, exercising leadership for and executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire.

Duties

Requirements

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED:

• Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
• The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 06/17/2025 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.

Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:

Single Resource Boss - Engine (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-

Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-

Completion of S-211 "Portable Pumps and Water Use" Course (CURRENCY REQUIRED)

-AND-

This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.

-AND-

To Qualify for GS-07

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) personally leading a crew in Wildland Fire Operations, and at least one of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: Initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) personally leading or supervising others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training.

NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.