Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Selective Placement Factor: 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 will be rated not qualified.

Primary Firefighter Positions Include the Following Age Requirements: Under age 37 -OR- Less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- A veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement. In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 11/06/2026 will be considered.

Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Minimum Qualification For the GW-03 level: Must have 6 months of general work experience or 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. -OR- Successful completion of one year of education or training above high school related to the work of the position.

Transcripts must be attached to application package if qualifying based on education. -OR- An equivalent combination of experience and education. Transcripts must be attached to application package. For the GW-04 level: Six months of general experience, which can be any work experience AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-03 level in the federal service.

Examples of specialized experience 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. -OR- Successfully completed 2 years of study above high school in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or in other related fields.

Transcripts must be attached to application package. -OR- An equivalent combination of experience and education. Transcripts must be attached to application package. 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. -OR- 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. -OR- An equivalent combination of experience and education. Transcripts must be attached to application package 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. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. 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 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.

As a Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations. Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. Participates in fuels management projects and prescribed fires. Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions.

Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Duties listed are at the GW-05 full performance level.