Wildland Firefighter (Fuels)
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Posted: February 24, 2026 (0 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
Location
Fritch, Texas
Salary
$72,832 - $94,687
per year
Type
Closes
This job involves managing fuels to prevent wildfires, such as planning controlled burns and leading teams to fight fires in wild areas, while protecting natural and cultural sites.
It's based in Fritch, Texas, and suits experienced firefighters who enjoy outdoor work in challenging conditions and have a strong background in fire suppression and team leadership.
Ideal candidates are detail-oriented team players committed to environmental protection.
For more information about each location see "Position Information". Please ensure you read the announcement fully prior to submitting application package.
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement.
For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.
To receive credit for experience, your 2 page 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 total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time or part-time, hours must be included).
If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
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.
If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard.
This position requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here.
Basic Qualification Requirements: Candidates must possess Primary/Rigorous wildland firefighting experience, gained through fire line work in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire.
You must clearly demonstrate this experience in your resume, including the months, days and hours per week at which the work was performed in order to be considered; AND Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of: Prescribed Burn Boss (RXB2) AND At least one of the following: Engine Boss (ENGB) OR Crew Boss (CRWB) OR Helicopter Manager (HMGB) In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required: For the GW-09 level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GW-08 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, which includes all of the following; Examples of specialized experience include: Planned and/or implemented prescribed fire or managing wildfire to ensure resource objectives can be met from a fire management standpoint; Developed and/or implemented initial attack incident management strategies and tactics to meet the stated resource objectives; Implemented mitigation measures during wildland fire activities to protect sensitive habitats, endangered species, sensitive plants, or cultural values.
In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application.
Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection.
If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired.
Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification. 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.
WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities.
Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a "condition of employment." The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack.
You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position.
This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:
Provides short- and long-range planning; budgeting; and management of wildland fire, fuels management, and prescribed fire programs.
Coordinates with federal, state, tribal and local government air quality officials to comply with operational procedures and reporting requirements.
Adjusts model inputs such as weather and fuels indices to forecast desired fire behavior and fire effects to meet objectives.
Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team (forestry, wildlife biology, range management, geology, archeology, etc.) developing and implementing fire management plans.
Coordinates and implements the technical and administrative aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified and in accordance with regulations, policies, and guidelines.
Evaluates treatment effectiveness, identifies potential problems and makes changes to ensure objectives are met, within policy and guidelines.
Participates in contract administration activities under the guidance of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Participates in a fire management program that includes fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities.
Exercises the full range of administrative and technical supervision for a supporting staff. Develops performance standards and evaluates the performance of subordinates.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes