Wildland Firefighter (Multiple Crew Types) (Seasonal)

Office of the Secretary of the Interior; United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Secretary of the Interior is seeking a Direct-Hire Wildland Firefighter (GW-03/04/05) across multiple locations. You may select up to seven locations, and applicants will be evaluated against the minimum qualifications listed.

The role focuses on wildland fire prevention, control, and suppression in diverse environments. Position requires physical endurance for arduous outdoor work, including long runs, hikes, and lifting.

Qualifications

• Six months general work experience or firefighter training substitutable for experience.
• One year of education or training above high school related to the work.
• Combination of education and work experience acceptable.

Skills

General work experience

Firefighter training

Read and follow instructions

Education

2-year Fire Training/Fire Science course

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Fire Technology

Combination of education and work experience

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 This GW-0456-03/04/05 Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service working in various locations. You may select up to SEVEN locations. Not all locations may be hiring for all grades. 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. Only experience and education obtained by 11/03/2026 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• To qualify for a GW-03, you must meet at least one of the following:
  • Six (6) months of general work experience or six (6) months of Firefighter training obtained as part of a high school curriculum (any firefighter training at the high school level and above), may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. General Experience can include: Any work experience or military service that demonstrates the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform, or learn to perform, the duties of the position.
  • One (1) year of education or training above high school related to the work of the position.
  • A combination of education and general work experience as described above.
• To qualify for a GW-04, you must meet at least one of the following:
  • Six (6) months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND six (6) months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work rescue operations detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards operation of fire communications equipment when it requires specialized knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires controlling hazardous materials incidents developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention
  • Successful completion of a 2-year course of study above high school, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or in other related fields.
  • A combination of the education and work experience described above.
• To qualify for a GW-05, you must meet at least one of the following:
  • One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-04 level duties. Examples of specialized work 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 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields.
  • A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

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.

Physical Demands

This position requires 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.

Work Environment

This position works in 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. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor biv