Wildland Firefighter (Engineering Equipment Operator/Fire Dozer)
Forest Service
Posted: March 10, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
Location
Salary
$67,617 - $94,687
per year
Type
Closes
This job involves coordinating the movement of firefighting teams, equipment, and supplies to wildfires across the country, especially in California's Pacific Southwest Region, based out of Redding.
The role focuses on logistics like mobilizing resources during emergencies and keeping track of what's available as fire situations change.
It's a good fit for someone with hands-on experience in wildland firefighting and strong organizational skills who thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
This position is located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
The incumbent is responsible for carrying out priorities for the mobilization, reassignment and demobilization of firefighting resources to incidents as deemed necessary in light of changing fire conditions and incident priorities nationally.
Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski - brian.grabowski@usda.gov See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional Contacts.
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.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Specialized Experience: For the GW-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW-07) in the Federal Service.
OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience.
The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisting in prioritizing distribution of aid, supplies, and equipment in wildland fire incidents.
Assisting in coordinating and monitoring the use of airspace over and around wildland fires.
Conducting inventories of equipment or service organizations to document the resources available for fire suppression activities.
Assisting in maintaining documents such as dispatching guides and handbooks, staffing and action guides, mobilization plans, directives, and/or reference materials.
For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW-08) in the Federal Service; OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience.
The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisting in coordinating and implementing logistical operations to ensure the adequate distribution of resources.
Performing dispatch duties such as assisting in coordinating ground and air transportation, and determining the nature of the resources needed including personnel, equipment, and services.
Collecting information for statistical and narrative reports on wildland fire activities or situations.
Assisting in developing mobilization plans, emergency and disaster plans, and dispatch handbooks, policies and procedures.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.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.
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:
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