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Posted: March 2, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Wildland Firefighter (Interagency Hotshot Crew) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior

Department of the Interior

Fresh

Location

Salary

$62,570 - $81,343

per year

Closes

March 9, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a wildland firefighter on an elite interagency hotshot crew, involving fighting wildfires, building fire lines, and managing fire suppression efforts in challenging outdoor conditions, mainly in California.

It suits experienced firefighters who thrive in high-stakes, physically demanding team environments and are passionate about protecting natural resources from fires.

Good fits include those with prior firefighting experience who can handle rigorous training and maintain peak physical fitness.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 level in federal service, including fire suppression, safety programs, and equipment maintenance
  • Successful completion and currency in NWCG core requirements: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Crew Boss (CRWB)
  • Age under 37, or under 37 after subtracting months of qualifying federal firefighter/law enforcement service, or veteran preference eligible with waiver
  • Attach Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or equivalent proof of certifications (Red cards not accepted)
  • Ability to regain NWCG qualification currency within one year if not currently qualified
  • Resume limited to 2 pages, detailing duties, dates, and hours worked (40+ hours/week for full-time)
  • Meet Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) standards for key fire management positions

Full Job Description

For additional information regarding this position please 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.

SELECTIVE FACTORS: For this Wildland Firefighter position you must also meet the following selective placement factors: Successful completion and have currency in the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) AND Crew Boss (CRWB) AND Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- Less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- A veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GW-07: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-06 level in the Federal service, or higher.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Implemented safety/training programs in compliance with Incident Command System, fire suppression, fire line construction, hose lays and maintenance of protective equipment, assisting with prescribed fire management; developed burn plans and/or fuels inventory/preparation and disposal; evaluated initial fire situations; determined suppression method and probable causes of fire; assisted with property and procurement of equipment ensuring the engine and fire equipment have been kept in full state of readiness for emergency dispatch.

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:

Direct the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as power saws, portable pumps, firing devices and communication equipment.

Make decision as to when, where and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage, ensuring proper assembly of equipment and supplies for fire or daily work assignments.

Direct moderately complex fuels management projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g.: fuel quality and conditions), plan (e.g.: drafting or reviewing fuels management plans), preparing (e.g.: ensure proper training) and implementation (e.g.: ignition, holding, mop-up) treatments.

Serve as situational leader on wildland fires by directing the work of a small crew of wildland firefighters in building firelines, burning out, mopping up, and patrolling firelines.

Serve as back-up or assistant to the first level supervisor or lead in their absence.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/2/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: NPSFIRE-26-12898758-DHA