Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)

Forest Service (DOA); Fredonia (AZ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Forest Service seeks a skilled wildland firefighter to serve on a fire engine crew at various Arizona locations, including Fredonia. The position is full-time, temporary, and pays $25.37 per hour under the GW pay plan.

Travel and occasional overnight assignments may be required, with a strong emphasis on safety and team readiness. Responsibilities cover engine operation, water handling, and potential incident command duties under demanding field conditions.

Responsibilities

• Serves as senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire engine. Independently performs engine operation duties in the suppression of wildland fires and prescribed fire.
• Drives engine to fire locations in consideration of safety of crew and equipment, and how the equipment can be best used in control and mop-up operations.
• Performs and may direct others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives.
• Has specialized duties such as water handling specialist, qualified chain saw operator, or responsible for maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
• May serve as an Incident Commander.

Job description

Summary

This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization.The position is located on a wildland fire Engine crew. The primary purpose of this position is to perform wildland firefighting work.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Location

Many vacancies in the following locations:

• Fredonia, AZ
• Hereford, AZ
• Jacob Lake, AZ
• Lakeside, AZ
• Mesa, AZ
• Nogales, AZ
• Overgaard, AZ
• Safford, AZ
• Springerville, AZ
• Tucson, AZ
• Tusayan, AZ
• Williams, AZ

Location Negotiable After Selection

• Capitan, NM
• Cloudcroft, NM
• Mayhill, NM
• Ruidoso, NM
• Silver City, NM

No matching locations found.

Telework eligible

No

Remote job

No

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

: $25.37 – $25.37 per hour Salary is reflective of the new Special Base Rate (SBR) Salary Table for the General Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan effective 3/23/2025.

Pay scale & grade

GW 5

Promotion potential

None

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Occasional travel – Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment.

Appointment type

Temporary

Occupations and job series

• 0456 Wildland Fire Management

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

No

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Other

Position sensitivity and risk

• Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
• Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
• Background check type

Background check type

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

27-TEMPF3-R3-2PC030-5DH

Control number

890789800

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Videos

Duties

• Serves as senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire engine. Independently performs engine operation duties in the suppression of wildland fires and prescribed fire.
• Drives engine to fire locations in consideration of safety of crew and equipment, and how the equipment can be best used in control and mop-up operations.
• Personally performs and may direct others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives.
• Has specialized duties such as water handling specialist, qualified chain saw operator, or responsible for maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
• May serve as an Incident Commander.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommends best approaches and practices to use in protection of the values at risk.
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations.
• Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment. In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used effectively in suppressing the fire, the incumbent takes other actions to control fire.
• Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression.
• Participates in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire line activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function assigned.
• Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other’s welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.
• May inventory fuel beds, prepare associated reports, perform hazard fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris and act in assigned positions during fuel reduction efforts by prescribed fire.
• May perform other duties as designated on Incident Qualification Card.
• May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, miscellaneous equipment, facilities maintenance, and other resources.
• May assist in forestry/range research efforts; in the marketing of forest/range resources; or in the scientific management, protection, assist in monitoring efforts and development of forest/range resources.
• May be required to fill-in for other work leaders on established crews.
• Serves as an experienced firefighter on a hand crew or other related fire suppression crews performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.gov.
• Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver’s license; a commercial driver’s license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment.
• Must pass the appropriate level of the Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters.
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
• Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).

Qualifications

In order to qualify,