Fire Employment

Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management is a wide field, encompassing firefighters, fire ecologists, fuels specialists, fire managers, administrative personnel, helicopter and fixed wing pilots, aviation and ground safety professionals, radio communications and electronic technicians, dispatchers, fire prevention specialists, and communicators.

There are several work schedules. Some sign on for a limited number of hours during the summer - they are called temporary seasonals. Others have permanent, but seasonal positions, and work 26 weeks with 26 weeks off.  And there is a large permanent, full time workforce as well.

Permanent seasonal & full-time fire positions: 

The Pacific Northwest Region has more than 1,000 fire positions spread across the National Forests of Oregon and Washington. These Positions range from Forest Fire Management Officer to Wildland Firefighter. The majority of hiring takes place in the Fall and Winter months to prepare for the upcoming fire season. In previous years, Region 6 has utilized a Centralized Fire Hire Event to fill a significant number of fire suppression and fuels management positions at the GS-3 through GS-9 positions.

Go to our regional (OR & WA) centralized Fire Hire webage for current information. 

Temporary, seasonal positions:

To apply for seasonal and temporary firefighting jobs, visit the regional (OR & WA) Temporary Job Opportunities page.

Seasonal jobs in firefighting include working on a local unit handcrew, on a helitack/helirappeling crew, a Hot Shot Crew, as a smokejumper, or on an engine crew. Remember, these are tough jobs usually performed in primitive, backcountry conditions.

What applicant needs to know

• Read the entire announcement before you begin
• Resume:  Use the USAJOBS resume builder AND upload your resume. Data requested in USAJOBS is specifically needed to determine an applicant’s eligibility. Ensure you include previous supervisors with their current email address and phone number
• Include a narrative in your resume that addresses the specialized experience found in the job announcement.
• Apply to positions and duty stations you would accept a position at even if there is not currently a vacancy. If a vacancy occurs as a result of FIRE HIRE it will be filled through a back fill process at that time
• Include and upload ALL of your SF- 50 notice of personnel actions.
• Include current Incident qualifications record. This can be obtained by your supervisor
• If you complete a task book during this fire season scan and upload a copy of the certification page into your application profile.
• Include current, signed Performance Appraisal. This can be obtained by your supervisor
• Include College Transcripts if applicable
• Prepare your application package NOW and upload all your attachments as you may find yourself on assignment and having to apply while in travel status or while on R&R
• Firefighter positions must be in top physical condition for this demanding work. Employees and prospective employees must pass the Work Capacity Test annually before working on the fireline.
• For fireline positions, the Forest Service will provide you Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing, hardhat and fire shelter.  You must provide your own lug soled, leather eight-inch topped boots.
• The Forest Service provides training in many specialty fields. 

The people involved in fire represent the pride exemplified by all Forest Service employees in "caring for the land and serving people." The Fire & Aviation Management program's core values are Safety, Integrity, and Mutual Respect. We look for dedicated men and women from all walks of life, of all abilities, to join our workforce

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer