Region 4 Fire Hire

Permanent Fire Jobs Information

Region 4 is looking for committed, hardworking, high skilled individuals to suppress wildfires and work in fuels management on twelve National Forests located in Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and California. The Fire and Aviation Management program is very rewarding and requires working safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions, including dispatch, engine crews, fuels, handcrews, helitack, hotshot crews, smokejumpers, prevention and fire management/operations.

There are several opportunities throughout the fiscal year (October 1st - September 31st) to apply for fire positions nationwide. Dates for those opportunities are outlined in the following table. Entry level positions, GS-03/04 Firefighters and GS-03/04/05 Wildland Fire Apprentices will be hired during two of the four phases. It is advised to contact the duty locations you may be interested in working for. The personal touch and outreach can sometimes set you apart as hiring managers work through hundreds of applications each year.

Learn more about the apprenticeship program hosted by National Advanced Fire & Resource Institute (NAFRI).

All vacancies are posted on USAJobs and resumes must be submitted via the website by the application deadline. For more detailed information please refer to information below. If you have questions regarding hiring opportunities, you may contact Celeste Holder, R4 Workforce Development Specialist – Fire Hire Coordinator via email at celeste.holder@usda.gov.

Upcoming Permanent Employment Application Opportunities

Select the headings below for more information on each phase of hiring with timelines.

Further Details on Hiring

Applicants are encouraged to apply for all locations where they would accept a position if offered.

For information regarding current known vacancies reach out to local forest contacts:

Ashley NF - Mike Bertagnolli, michael.bertagnolli@usda.gov
Boise NF - Mike Brady, michael.t.brady@usda.gov
Bridger-Teton NF - James Turner, james.c.turner@usda.gov
Caribou-Targhee - BJ Bugger, bradley.bugger@usda.gov
Dixie NF - Clint Coates, clint.coates@usda.gov
Fishlake NF - Todd Murray, todd.murray2@usda.gov
Humboldt-Toiyabe NF - Toby Smith, tobias.smith@usda.gov

Intermountain Regional Office - Celeste Holder, celeste.holder@usda.gov
Manti-La Sal NF - Russ Bigelow, russell.bigelow@usda.gov
PAF Smokejumpers - Todd Haynes, christopher.haynes@usda.gov
Payette NF - Tom Schultz, tom.schultz@usda.gov
Salmon-Challis NF - Doug Petray, douglas.petray@usda.gov
Sawtooth NF - Sheena Waters, sheena.m.waters@usda.gov
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF - Nate Siemers, nathan.siemers@usda.gov

After submitting an application in USAJobs, applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to each forest point of contact to express their interest and inform hiring managers an application has been submitted.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements for the position which you are applying. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. An IQCS Master Record (or equivalent) must be provided for IFPM qualification requirements. During a centralized event, IFPM requirements must be met at the time of selection. An applicant may be asked to provide an updated copy of their IQCS Master Record (or equivalent) at the time of selection, if not previously met. Learn more on How to Apply for a Forest Service Job.

Region 4 Links

All Region 4 Employment for Fire and Non-Fire Jobs

Region 4 Office & Ranger District Locations

Region 4 Temporary Seasonal Positions

Additional Information

Application Tips & Webinars - A collection of short videos on common application questions and advice from recruiters.
Careers in Wildland Fire - Knowledge about the various positions include wildland firefighter, dispatcher, prevention technician, fuels management, and more.
Feds Hire Vets - A site for Federal employment for Veterans, transitioning military service members, their families and Federal hiring officials.
Hiring & Recruitment Events - These events may be virtual, in-person, or a mix of both. Also, we often partner with large national conventions.
How to Build a Federal Resume - Forest Service recruiters will give tips and tricks on building the best Federal resume and improving your chances of selection.
Interagency Fire Program Management Standard (IFPM) - Is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior wildland bureaus to establish minimum qualification standards for key positions in Fire and Aviation Management (FAM).
Salary Pay Tables for GS Levels - Select the General Schedule Pay Tables for the current year and then look at the appropriate location.
USFS Employment Outreaches - Current and upcoming FS job opportunities to aid in your federal employment job search.
USAJOBS - The website to search and apply for jobs.
Wildland Fire Careers - Information and videos talking about careers in the wildfire program.
Wildland Firefighter Apprentice Program - The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program is designed to enhance and develop future leaders in wildland firefighting.

Spark the Adventure: Women in Wildland Fire

Women in Wildland Fire show they have what it takes. From the lightning strike to putting out the flames, these women explain what it is like to be a wildland firefighter.

Watch on YouTube
Playing with Fire

A personal behind the scenes look at what Smokejumpers encounter from the locker room to a live fire on the forest ground.

Watch on YouTube
The Mentality of Wildland Firefighters

Watch as wildland firefighters are getting ready for another potentially busy fire season across the western U.S.

Watch on YouTube