Wildland Firefighter (Helitack Squad Boss) - 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 In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected.

Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

Additional Vacancies: Multiple positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other USWFS offices in the local commuting area.

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

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.

2.) Requirement for GW-06 and GW-07 levels ONLY: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.

This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.

Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM).

To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected): A.) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND; B.) Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290) 3.) Additional requirement for GW-07 level ONLY: In addition, you must have possess all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required).

A.) Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) AND; B.) Incident Commander, Type 5 (ICT5) If selected at the GW-05, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above (#2) for the GW-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-06 grade level.

If selected at the GW-06, you must meet the NWCG requirements above (#3) for the GW-07 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-07 grade level.

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 02/24/2026 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 For the GW-05 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-04 level in the federal service.

Examples of specialized 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.

-OR- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study (e.g.: Forestry, Range Management, Agriculture, Fire suppression and Prevention).

Transcripts must be attached to application package if qualifying based on education. -OR- An equivalent combination of experience and education. Transcripts must be attached to application package.

For the GW-06 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level in the federal service.

Examples of specialized experience include: experience serving as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression work; and utilizing and maintaining a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in the federal service.

Examples of specialized experience include: experience serving as a lead wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression; utilizing and maintaining specialized wildland fire equipment; and assisting with analyzing and predicting fire behavior when responding to wildland fire incidents.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at the GW-06 and GW-07 grade levels.

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. Major Duties:

As a Wildland Firefighter (Helitack Squad Boss) - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a lead wildland firefighter and member of a helitack crew.

Participates in and may direct helicopter operations and directs the work of a small crew of firefighters in building firelines, burnout, mopping up, and patrolling firelines.

Applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management.

Directs assigned suppression operations and recommends and implements tactical strategies on fires.

Manages fuels projects such as: prescribed fire, mechanical and biological treatments, inventorying fuel beds, and piling vegetation debris Duties listed are at the GW-07 full performance level.