Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain) (Direct Hire Authority)

Full Job Description

While this position is being announced by a bureau within the U.S.

Department of the Interior, the incumbent will work in support of Interior's Wildland Fire Management Program and is subject to the provisions of Secretarial Order 3443.

For additional information regarding this position please see "Position Information". Please ensure you read the announcement fully prior to submitting application package.

REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED: Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician.

You will also be required to take periodic medical examinations throughout employment.

The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice.

Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack.

NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 02/20/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

**NOTE - Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume.

Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes.

In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).

If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.

Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Single Resource Boss - Engine (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- Completion of S-211 "Portable Pumps and Water Use" Course (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- 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.

-AND- To Qualify for GW-07 One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-06 level in the Federal service.

Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Examples of specialized experience include: (1) personally leading a crew in Wildland Fire Operations, and at least one of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: Initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) personally leading or supervising others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training.

NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.

Volunteer Experience: 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. Major Duties:

Major Duties: This position serves as primary fire engine operator which is responsible for the safe operation, maintenance and upkeep of a wildland fire engine.

This position will carry out engine captain responsibilities while performing duties in the absence of the engine captain.

Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as, but not limited to power saws, portable pumps, firing devices, and communication equipment (e.g., programming radio frequencies), and makes decisions as to when, where, and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage.

Directs and ensures proper assembly of equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments or daily work assignments.

May serve as a subject matter expert on regional, state, and/or national interagency committees.

Direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines, cleaning up burned areas within firelines, suppressing spot fires, felling snags or trees, and cutting brush.

Ensures assigned crew members and equipment for the specific fire assignments or daily work assignments are in a state of readiness for the assignment or initial attack.

Participates in or leads physical fitness programs. Provides leadership as an Assistant Engine Captain in wildland fire suppression efforts while considering safety of crew and equipment.

Accomplish fire management objectives in highly complex, wildland urban interface environments.

Perform wildland fire suppression, through preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuel reduction, training, and prescribed fire.

Directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex hazard fuel reduction projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g., fuel quantity and conditions), planning (e.g., drafting or reviewing fuels management plans, assessing and recommending fuel treatment alternatives), preparing (e.g., ensuring proper training, placement, and instruction of crews), and implementing (e.g., ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation) treatments.

Fuels management projects include prescribed fire, and mechanical and biological treatments; inventorying fuel beds; and piling vegetation debris.

May be required to use/operate specialized firing equipment.