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Posted: January 29, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant IHC Superintendent) - Direct Hire Authority

Bureau of Land Management

Department of the Interior

Fresh

Location

Bakersfield, California

Salary

$67,617 - $87,899

per year

Closes

February 12, 2026

GS-7 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $41,966 - $54,557

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-6. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading and supervising a team of wildland firefighters in suppressing fires, predicting fire behavior, and mentoring junior crew members in high-risk outdoor settings.

It's ideal for experienced firefighters who enjoy hands-on leadership in emergency response and have a passion for protecting natural lands.

The role requires physical fitness and quick decision-making in intense situations.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in wildland fire suppression, including leading small groups and analyzing fire behavior
  • Must meet Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) standards for Senior Firefighter, including specific NWCG incident management qualifications
  • Maximum entry age of 37 (or under with prior federal service or veteran status); provide documentation if applicable
  • Ability to perform physically demanding wildland fire duties in remote and hazardous environments
  • Experience in Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) or similar high-complexity fire management programs
  • No substitution of education for experience at this grade level

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.

We expect to fill multiple vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GW-08 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-07 is required.

Examples include, but are not limited to: performing wildland fire suppression activities within an IHC or similarly constructed component of a wildland fire management program; mentoring and leading small groups of lower graded crewmembers performing wildland fire duties; and analyzing and predicting fire behavior when responding to wildland fire incidents.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience for this grade level.

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.) This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.

This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.

Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM).

To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected): Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND; Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290) 3.) In addition, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required): Strike Team Crew (STCR), OR Task Force Leader (TFLD), AND Single Resource Crew Boss (CRWB) AND Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Arduous - Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning.

Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds.

Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in forest and range environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions.

Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees Fahrenheit to below freezing.

Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.

May be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. 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:

  • Serves as Assistant Superintendent of an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC).
  • Performs administrative program management functions such as planning, budget execution, and stewardship of facilities, equipment, vehicles, and accountable property.
  • Applies an experienced understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area weather, fuels, and training in fire management.
  • Supervises, mentors, and instructs employees on crewmember duties.
  • Plans action and direct utilization of fireline resources; directs assigned suppression operations and directs assigned suppression operations.
  • Recommends and implements tactical strategies in the field.
  • Oversees the development and implementation of training programs to comply with policy, regulations, and development.
  • Procures, maintains, inventory tools and equipment.
  • Supervises and/or participates in fire prevention promotional events.
  • Supervises and directs fuels management projects that include prescribed fire, and mechanical and biological treatments.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/29/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/30/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: FADHA-26-12862686-CGR2