Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority

In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Only experience and education obtained by 11/04/2026 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.

01Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for a GW-05, you must meet at least one of the following: 1). One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-04 level duties.

Examples of specialized work experience include: Experience as a member of a crew performing fire effects monitoring, wildfire, fuels, prescribed fire, and/or post-fire operations, collecting vegetation, fuels, weather, fire behavior, or ecological data in any related job field; collecting data to assess burn severity or fire effects after prescribed fire or wildfire. -OR- 2).

Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields of study. -OR- 3). A combination of education and specialized work experience described above. To qualify for a GW-06, you must meet at least one of 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 as a member of a fire monitoring or wildland fire crew.

The applicant must possess experience in any field that demonstrates the ability to lead or assist in leading others; executing fire management activities in fire suppression, fuels management, fire effects and fuels monitoring, and post-fire such as measuring and documenting vegetation and fuels information; identifying plant species; collecting and reporting fire behavior and weather data; performing wildfire, fuels, prescribed fire, and/or post-fire operations.

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.

For general information about the application process and temporary fire positions with the Department of the Interior, please visit our website. As a Wildland Firefighter - Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring (GW-05) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a member of a fire effects and fuels monitoring module performing wildland fire suppression, fire effects and fuels monitoring, fuels management, and post-fire activities.

Performs assigned fire suppression activities, including attacking, controlling, and mopping up fires; constructing and patrolling fire lines; suppressing spot fires; conducting firing operations; felling snags or trees; and cutting brush. Monitors and records fire characteristics, including rate of spread, flame length, fire behavior, and fire effects, and plots fire progression on maps. Collects and records data on live and dead fuels, fuel moisture, vegetation, and other environmental conditions.

Enters fire effects and fuels monitoring data into established databases and information systems. Identifies local flora, including grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees to species, and distinguishes lower plant orders using established identification methods.

As a Wildland Firefighter - Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring (GW-06) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an experienced member and assistant field lead on a fire effects and fuels monitoring module, participating in and directing fire suppression, fire effects and fuels monitoring, fuels management, and post-fire activities.

Determines and implements tactical actions for attacking, controlling, and mopping up fires; directs the operation and use of specialized tools and equipment, including power saws, monitoring and firing devices, and communication equipment. Collects data, documents observations, and prepares reports on observed and potential impacts of fire and suppression activities on resources.

Reviews fire effects and fuels monitoring plans and reports and provides input on prescribed fire and fuels treatment plans, fire management plans, and other resource management plans as assigned. Trains crew members and others in establishing monitoring sites and collecting fire effects and fuels data across a variety of fuel and vegetation conditions.

Duty locations for these positions are: Denali Park, Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Fort Defiance, Arizona (Indian Preference Applies) Van Buren, Missouri Tupelo, Mississippi Sanford, Texas Woodville, Texas