Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew).

USDA Forest Service; Durban; On-site; ZAR 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The USDA Forest Service is seeking skilled wildland firefighters for temporary positions in South Africa. Responsibilities include fire suppression, safety training, and forestry support. Applicants must meet specific qualifications, including the ability to operate firefighting tools and work in remote areas, ensuring effective fire response and public safety.

Benefits

Access to comprehensive benefits package

Training in firefighting techniques

Opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Experience in wildland firefighting and using firefighting tools.
• Ability to pass medical screening and WCT for wildland firefighters.
• Willingness to work in remote locations and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Suppress wildfires using specialized tools and equipment.
• Participate in fire training and ensure safety during operations.
• Perform project work related to fire management and forest health.

Skills

Wildland firefighting

Safety protocols

Use of specialized tools

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

18 years of age

Tools

Chainsaw

Pulaski

Shovel

McLeod

Ax

Job description

Duties

• Serves as a skilled crewmember on a hand crew assigned to suppress the full range of difficulty and complexity of fires.
• Utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques while actively suppressing wildfires, such as a pulaski, shovel, McLeod, ax and chainsaw to control the spread of wildfire.
• Performs basic fireline activities such as line construction, lopping and scattering of fuels using hand tools and holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations.
• Moves dirt, chops brush and small trees, etc. to construct fire line. Is responsible for observing the rules of wildland firefighting safety. Applies practices and techniques to minimize resource damage.
• Independently or with one or two other crewmembers may be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout.
• Serves as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns, monitoring and controlling the fire, and collecting data on fire weather and fire behavior.
• Also performs project work such as fuel inventory and hazard fuel reduction projects. Depending on experience level, may be assigned to structure fire protection.
• Performs the full range of standardized forestry support duties for fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research activities.
• Participates in 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 to which assigned.
• Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills. Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques.
• Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
• Cleans, maintains, reconditions, and stores fire fighting tools and equipment. Inventories fire supplies and equipment.
• May be assigned to fire lookout to provide detection and reporting of wildfires.
• Reports smoke and fire to a dispatcher giving location, estimated size and other pertinent information.
• Reports weather and fire behavior information keeping the dispatcher and/or other officials informed of current conditions.
• May perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazard fuel reduction projects.
• May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
• May assist higher level workers in forestry/range research efforts; in the marketing of forest/range resources; or in the scientific management, protection, and development of forest/range resources.
  
  

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.
• 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.
  
  

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

GW-04: Applicants must have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position OR successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable) OR an appropriate combination of experience and education above high school as described above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university and include courses that are related to the occupation of the position.

Examples of general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants; animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store; volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.

Examples of specialized experience include: Performed natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc.

Selective Placement Factor

• Must possess a valid state driver's license and have the ability to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.
• Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting.
• This is a testing designated position which requires a negative test result for illegal drug use prior to appointment and randomly thereafter.
  
  

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.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment, which means you must maintain the required level of physical fitness in order to remain in the position. The Arduous fitness (Pack) Test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.

In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing. All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2026 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between October 19, 2025 to December 28, 2025.

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

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

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.

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
  
  

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.