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Posted: January 28, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority

Bureau of Land Management

Department of the Interior

Fresh

Location

Salary

$52,957 - $68,844

per year

Closes

February 10, 2026

GS-4 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $30,286 - $39,372

Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a wildland firefighter working with the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado, where you'll help control, prevent, and put out forest and range fires using specialized tools and equipment.

It's a physically demanding role involving tough outdoor work in rugged terrain, perfect for someone who's fit, enjoys hands-on outdoor challenges, and has experience or training in firefighting.

Entry-level candidates with relevant education or volunteer experience could be a good fit, but you must be under 37 unless you qualify for an exception.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized wildland fire experience equivalent to GS-04 level, such as fire control, prevention, or suppression using fire tools and equipment
  • Or, a bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or related field
  • Or, a combination of qualifying education and experience
  • Must not have reached age 37 at appointment (unless prior federal firefighter service or preference-eligible veteran with documentation)
  • Ability to perform arduous physical tasks, including lifting over 50 pounds, extensive walking/climbing on uneven ground, and prolonged exertion
  • Provide evidence of selective placement factors, including age-related documentation if applicable

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. This position is located in Dolores, CO.

Information about this location may be found HERE.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification 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 a GW-05, you must meet at least one of the following: Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-04 level duties.

Examples of specialized work experience include On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields.

A combination of education and work experience described above.

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.

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.

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

Work Environment: 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.

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 an experienced wildland firefighter on one of the following crews: fuels, handcrew, hotshot, engine, helitack or wildland fire module.
  • 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.
  • Participates in fuels management projects and prescribed fires.
  • May serve as a situational leader on wildland fires.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/28/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/28/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: FADHA-26-12866741-LG