Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

U.S. Forest Service; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking personnel for a fire crew position focusing on prescribed fire and fuels management. The incumbent will perform duties per IFPM guidelines, provide technical guidance, monitor fire behavior, and assist in field reconnaissance to support program objectives.

The role includes participation in safety trainings, data collection for plots, and collaboration on plan development to ensure objectives are met with high standards of safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Direct Deposit required for federal employees; E-Verify employment verification.
• Pre-employment medical screening and random drug testing may apply.

Responsibilities

• Performs as Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist for low complexity fuels management programs.
• Provides routine technical guidance on fire protection and prevention issues.
• Assists in monitoring fire behavior and effects during prescribed fire plans.

Skills

Prescribed Fire

Fuel Management

Field Reconnaissance

Fire Safety

Education

NWCG Core Requirement ENGB

NWCG Core Requirement CRWB

NWCG Core Requirement FIRB

NWCG Core Requirement HMGB

NWCG Core Requirement ICT4

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 incumbent serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization performing Prescribed Fire/Fuels Management work.

Major Duties

Serves on prescribed fire and fuels projects in positions as per the IFPM minimum qualifications at the low complexity level. Provides routine technical guidance on fire protection and prevention issues.Technically administers routine aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified.During the implementation of prescribed fire plans, fuels projects, and wildland fire monitoring plans, assists in monitoring fire behavior, evaluating fire effects, identifying potential problems and making basic recommendations.Assists in conducting field reconnaissance of prescribed fire/fuels treatment units, summarizes field findings and makes basic recommendations on appropriate prescriptive criteria for meeting program objectives.Provides for training needs to support prescribed fire and fuels management programs.Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools.Efficient operation of equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used for the particular function assigned.Participates in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after-action reviews. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.Supports wildland fire suppression activities. Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc. Uses specialized firing equipment.Performs as a Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist for low complexity fuels management program as per the rating factors contained in the IFPM Complexity Analysis.Assists in resolving problem situations encountered when performing a wide variety of nonstandard fire planning assignments. Conducts routine project assessments which determine the presence or absence of hazardous wildland fuels.Information on fuel conditions and predictions of fire behavior are collected through a variety of methods, including field surveys, computer modeling, and specific literature searches.Results are reported to the Prescribed Fire/Fuels Specialist and used in the determination and prioritization of prescribed fire and mechanical treatment projects.Reviews project plans and makes recommendations on appropriate levels of monitoring. Provides basic assistance in establishing study plots to assess fire and fire suppression impacts on the ecosystem.Participates in the development and refinement of plot characteristics, frequency of visits, subjects to be measured, and data storage and analysis techniques.Participates in drafting prescribed fire/fuels management plans following the interagency template.This involves reviewing fuel treatment alternatives and may include preparing segments of a plan to support objectives of the fire management program.Updates and uses a database to model and analyze fire behavior and fire effects observation data. Ensures data quality. Ensures proper data storage and archival procedures are followed.

Requirements

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. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Engine Boss (ENGB) OR Crew Boss (CRWB) OR Firing Boss (FIRB) OR Helicopter Manager (HMGB) Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)

Evaluations

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Other Information

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2027 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between April 18, 2027 to June 13, 2027. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.