Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority

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 These are Wildland Firefighter, GW-0456-4 positions is with the US Wildland Fire Service, working in Wagner, South Dakota.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. 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.

Only experience and education obtained by 04/15/2026 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 GW-4: Six (6) months of general work experience and six (6) months of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 grade level in the Federal Service; GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Work experience or military service that demonstrated 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Such duties may include, but are not limited to: controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized entity or crew; forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work; rescue operations; detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; operation of fire communications equipment that requires knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires; controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.

OR successfully completed a 2-year course of study in an accredited college or university (60 semester hour or 90 quarter hours) in Wildland Fire Training, Wildland Fire Science, Wildland Fire Technology or other directly related fields of study, such as forestry, range management or conservation, or natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography).

OR a combination of education and work experience - for example, three months of general experience and three months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 30 semester hours of the required college coursework (50% of the education requirement) when combined meets the total requirements for the 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.

*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.

Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances.

Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.

The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hardhat, gloves, flame-resistant clothing).

Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Major Duties:

As a Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a trained member of a wildland fire module or hand crew or engine crew executing fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities.

Specific specialty areas of work within fire modules or crews include fire engine operation, firemanagement planning, fuels management, and prevention.

Work may also include all hazard and emergency response activities.

May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires.

May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.