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

$62,855

El Portal, CaliforniaFull-timePosted Oct 15, 2026

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 Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-7 working in the following location(s): El Portal, California Marblemount, Washington

As a Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring)

  • Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Performs wildland fire suppression and post-fire actions. Collects and records fire behavior, fuels, weather, and effects data. Conducts prescribed fire and fuels monitoring using established protocols. Manages and maintains monitoring equipment, tools, vehicles, and data systems. Provides field leadership, training, and guidance to crew members.

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. 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. In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience obtained by 10/30/2026 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. Selective placement factor: The following selective placement factors have been identified to be required 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): Requirements for this position are: A.)

Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) B.) Prior experience with Wildfire Operations. Minimum Qualification: GW-07 For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: experience as a member of a fire monitoring or wildland fire crew.

The applicant must possess experience leading or assisting in leading others in the field (e.g., any fire crew, field data collection crew, etc.); 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; evaluating initial fire situations and identifying potential hazards; performing 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, Ameri. Corps) 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 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. Physical Demands: The work requires arduous physical exertion for prolonged periods. Activities include running, walking, and climbing over uneven or steep terrain; bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, pulling, and twisting; and prolonged standing. The work also requires recurring lifting and carrying of equipment and supplies weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items. The work requires sufficient strength, stamina, agility, and dexterity to safely perform wildland firefighting and related duties. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily outdoors in remote and rugged environments under a variety of terrain, weather, and fire conditions. The employee is exposed to hazards associated with wildland firefighting and field operations, including fire, smoke, falling or rolling material, uneven terrain, extreme temperatures, dust, noise, and other environmental hazards. The work may require extended assignments in remote locations with limited facilities and primitive living conditions. The hazardous nature of the work requires the use of personal protective equipment, including flame-resistant clothing, boots, gloves, and head protection. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Probation Period Con't: The probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

There is no education requirement or substitution for this position.

Description copied from U.S. Department of the Interior's careers page. Read the full posting before you apply.

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