Fresh Listing

Posted: January 13, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer

Forest Service

Department of Agriculture

Fresh

Salary

$72,832 - $108,738

per year

Closes

January 22, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves helping lead a forest service team's efforts in managing wildfires and planned burns, including budgeting, working with partners, and directing fire response operations in Colorado's forests.

It's ideal for someone with hands-on experience in fire management who enjoys outdoor work, leadership, and coordinating with other groups to protect natural areas.

Candidates should be team players ready to handle high-stakes situations in remote locations.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GW-7 level (for GW-9) or GW-9 level (for GW-11) in wildland or prescribed fire management programs
  • Successful completion of NWCG Primary Core Requirements: Task Force Leader (TFLD) AND Secondary: Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) OR Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) OR Primary: Helibase Manager (HEBM) AND Secondary: ICT3
  • Completion of NWCG Course M-581: Fire Program Management
  • Meeting Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications by time of selection
  • Attachment of IQCS Master Record or equivalent documentation proving certifications (Red cards not acceptable)
  • Ability to regain currency in NWCG qualifications within one year if not currently qualified
  • Experience in budgeting, implementing agreements with cooperators, and managing fire suppression or prescribed fire strategies

Full Job Description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

The incumbent serves as a Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer (FAFMO) with responsibility for assisting the Forest Fire Management Officer (FFMO) to provide leadership and program direction for the unit's fire and aviation management program.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Section for location representative details.

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

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.

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-7 grade level in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is defined as: Assisting with a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program.

Assisting in implementing a partial fire program budget taking into consideration changing priorities. Assisting in implementing agreements with cooperators.

Establishing relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire issues For the GW-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GW-9 grade level in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is defined as: Managing a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program.

Assisting in developing and implementing a partial fire program budget taking into consideration changing priorities.

Implementing agreements with cooperators and maintaining relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire management program issues.

Managing strategies for a moderate to high complexity wildland fire suppression or prescribed fire organization utilizing agency policies, guidelines, and procedures.

Selective Placement Factors Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Task Force Leader (TFLD) -AND- Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) -OR- Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) -OR- Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Helibase Manager (HEBM) -AND- Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) Successfully completed the NWCG Course #M-581 Fire Program Management.

Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection.

Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application.

If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application.

Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection.

If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as (MODERATE) Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy.

IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training.

The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.

There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

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, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment.

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

  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-11 level.
  • Coordinates the involvement of fire management input into the development of land management plans and analyses.
  • Responsible for the review of planned suppression actions, tactical plans, and strategies for the management of complex wildland fires and other wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
  • Coordinates suppression action on large, complex wildland fires.
  • Oversight of the units Fire Prevention Program and integration with other fire management activities.
  • Program oversight of the units aviation program. Responsible for the preparation of contract specifications and inspections.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-FIRE-P2R29-FAFMOM-911DH