Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Module) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority

US Office of the Secretary of the Interior; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

US Office of the Secretary of the Interior in Fairbanks, AK, seeks a GW-0456-06 Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Module) to support federal fire management operations in demanding terrain.

A select cadre with FFT1 and S-290 NWCG training; requires one year of specialized work experience at GW/GS-05 level and readiness to deploy to backcountry camps, with arduous physical demands and rugged environments.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized work experience at GW/GS-05 level duties.
• Experience as a senior wildland firefighter on a module or crew.
• NWCG FFT1 and S-290 training/certification.

Skills

Senior Firefighter

Outdoor work tolerance

Physical stamina

Education

FFT1 NWCG qualification

S-290 NWCG qualification

IFPM awareness

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-0456-06 Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Module) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service working in Fairbanks, AK.
For general information about the application process and temporary fire positions with the Department of the Interior, please visit our website.

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.

Requirement for the GW-06 level: 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 the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):

A.) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); AND
B.) Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290)

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required.
Only experience and education obtained by 11/10/2026 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-06, you must meet the following:
1). One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-05 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience include: experience serving as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland firefighting module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, suppression, or prescribed fire work; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools/equipment/vehicles and may include leading crewmembers.
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 bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.