Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot Squad Boss)

US Office of the Secretary of the Interior; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Wildland Fire Service is seeking qualified applicants for Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot Squad Boss) positions in multiple duty locations across the United States. Candidates must meet NWCG and IFPM standards, including FFT1 and S-290, and comply with MEA age guidelines.

Emphasis on physical endurance and hazardous duty readiness. Applicants should prepare to document all qualifying experience, including firefighting, training, and related duties, and be prepared for rigorous on-site field

Qualifications

• Mandatory NWCG qualifications and training as described (FFT1 and S-290) for IFPM alignment.
• ME A/age restrictions for Primary Firefighter positions.
• Full 4-year degree or equivalent combination per GW levels.

Skills

FFT1

S-290

IFPM

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Fire Technology or related field

Job description

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority

These Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot Squad Boss) positions are with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-5/6/7 working in the listed locations:
In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

Selective Placement Factor(s):

This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.

1.) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. This requirement applies to ALL grade levels.

2.) Requirement for the GW-06 and GW-07 grade levels ONLY:

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at www.ifpm.nifc.gov. To meet IFPM requirements for this position, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):

• Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND;
• Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290)

If selected at the GW-05, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above (#2) for the GW-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-06 grade level.

3.) Additional requirement for the GW-07 level ONLY:

In addition, you must have possess all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required).

• Crew Boss (CRWB) AND;
• Incident Commander, Type 5 (ICT5)

If selected at the GW-06, you must meet the NWCG requirements above (#3) for the GW-07 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-07 grade level

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required.

Only experience and education obtained by 10/15/2026 will be considered.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Minimum Qualification

For the GW-05 level:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-04 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, is required. Examples of specialized experience include: on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study (e.g.: Forestry, Range Management, Agriculture, Fire suppression and Prevention). Transcripts must be attached to application package if qualifying based on education.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education. Transcripts must be attached to application package.

For the GW-06 level:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, is required. Examples of specialized experience include: experience serving as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression work; and utilizing and maintaining a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

For the GW-07 level:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, is required. Examples of specialized experience include: experience serving as a lead wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression; utilizing and maintaining specialized wildland fire equipment; and assisting with analyzing and predicting fire behavior when responding to wildland fire incidents.

*Applicants must meet all selective placement factors and minimum qualification requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

Physical Demands:

Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Working Conditions:

Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.