Older Listing

Posted: December 30, 2025 (15 days ago)

This job has been posted for 2-4 weeks. Consider applying soon if interested.

Engineering Equipment Operator (Wildland Fire Dozer) - Direct Hire Authority

Bureau of Land Management

Department of the Interior

Older

Salary

$33.02 - $38.53

per hour

Closes

January 14, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves operating heavy machinery like bulldozers to help fight wildfires on public lands in rural Oregon, creating firebreaks and clearing areas to control blazes.

It's a hands-on role for someone who thrives in tough outdoor conditions and has experience with big equipment in emergency situations.

A good fit would be a physically fit person under 37 (or with qualifying prior service) who enjoys high-stakes teamwork in nature.

Key Requirements

  • Must not exceed maximum entry age of 37 at appointment (exceptions for veterans or prior federal firefighters with proof)
  • Possess NWCG qualifications: Dozer Operator (DZOP) and Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB)
  • Demonstrated ability to operate heavy equipment (e.g., bulldozers, road graders, lowboys, water tenders) safely without more than normal supervision
  • Heavy physical effort required, including constant reaching, bending, and enduring vibration/jolting on rough terrain
  • Provide verifiable experience through resume, including paid, unpaid, or volunteer work
  • Submit required documentation like DD-214 and SF-15 for veterans or SF-50s for prior service if applicable

Full 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 Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Vale, Oregon.

Information about the surrounding area may be found here. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

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. 1.

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. 2.

You must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required): A.

Dozer Operator (DZOP); AND B. Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB) OPM Job Qualifications System for Trades and Labor Occupations will be used in determining applicant's qualifications.

There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, the applicant must be able to demonstrate through experience shown in the resume materials, that they possess the skill level that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of an Engineering Equipment Operator (Wildland Fire Dozer) without more than normal supervision.

WG Screen-out Element: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. This must be verifiable on your application.

Work is defined as: operating a variety of heavy equipment such as road graders, bulldozers, lowboys and water tenders; and operating heavy equipment in a safe manner.

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.

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Heavy physical effort is used by the operator in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle controls to operate the equipment and attachments.

Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating on rough surfaces.

During fire suppression assignments, the operator is exposed to smoky conditions, fire burns, and other similar conditions.

Work Environment: Work is performed in all types of weather, often in an open driver's seat on hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forests.

The operator is exposed to injury due to the possibility of the equipment overturning or to the possibility of being overrun by the wildfire.

This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements.

The MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement. Major Duties:

  • Operates road graders, bulldozers, etc., to suppress wildfires or reclaim burned over areas.
  • Clears brush and other debris from fire lines and clears ground and otherwise operates equipment to reclaim sites.
  • Operates lowboys or water tenders.
  • Operates a variety of heavy equipment on fire lines for the purpose of suppressing wildland fires.
  • Maintains and repairs heavy equipment used in firefighting operations.
  • Operates equipment in a safe manner according to safety rules and regulations.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 12/30/2025 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 12/31/2025

Source: USAJOBS | ID: FADHA-26-12858612-CMP