Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice) - Direct Hire Authority

Full Job Description

This announcement is being used to fill Wildland Firefighter GS-3/4/5 positions for the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program. Please see the Duties section for more details.

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement.

Learn more about this authority at: Dire Hire Authority In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected.

Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

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.

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 03/05/2026 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.

Minimum Qualification For the GW-03 level: 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- One year of education or training above high school related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of education and work experience as described above.

For the GW-04 level: Six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-03 level in the federal service; Examples of general experience 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.

Examples of specialized experience include: 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 requiring 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- Successful completion of a 2-year course of study above high school, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or in other related fields.

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-05 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-04 level in the federal service.

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; and 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 if qualifying based on education. -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 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: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Working Conditions: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc.

Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing.

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

The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) is designed to enhance and develop future leaders in wildland firefighting.

The WFAP delivers innovative and fundamental training for the development of wildland firefighters.

As an apprentice, you'll receive a hybrid of education, training, paid work experience of 3,000 hours and attend a Wildland Fire Training Academy.

Wildland firefighter apprentices are involved with wildland fire suppression, fire management, and fire support functions.

Upon completion of the program, you'll have journey-level status as a wildland firefighter.

As a Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice) - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a trained and experienced wildland firefighter on an engine, prescribed fire, or on a hand crew.

Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions. Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations.

Participate in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression.

Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. Duties listed are at the GW-05 full performance level.