Wildland Firefighter Hiring

Recruitment Events

Join us for one of our in-person recruitment events to hire permanent and permanent seasonal wildland fire positions across various forests in California. We will host recruitment events in Redding, Reedley, and Sacramento, where you will be able to meet with regional fire staff, get application help, and learn about the benefits of working with the Forest Service. 

Now, offering recruitment bonuses up to $7,500 for a one-year agreement and up to $15,000 for a two-year agreement! 

RSVP to one of our events

Locations, Dates, and Times

Tips for a successful event: 

• Bring your SSN card or know your number. 

• Create a USAJOBS account beforehand.

• Bring your own device(laptop, iPad, smart phone) if available. 

Fire Job Announcements

Wildland Firefighters 

Our firefighters are involved with wildland fire suppression/ management/control and perform this work on an engine, as a member of a helitack crew, or on a handcrew.

Details About the Openings

Apply January 2nd through January 24th, 2024. Positions are available in various locations throughout California, each with different targeted grade levels. These positions are open to the public. We will be using a Direct Hire Authority.

• Forestry Technician (FIRE), salary $31,512 - $45,982 per year

What does Direct Hire Authority mean?

A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can give to Federal agencies for filling vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists. DHA speeds the hiring process along by removing competitive rating and ranking, veterans' preference, and "rule of three" procedures. 

Duty Locations

  

Angeles National Forest

Acton, CA
Arcadia, CA
Glendora, CA
Lancaster, CA
San Fernando, CA

Cleveland National Forest

Alpine, CA
Corona, CA
Ramona, CA

Eldorado National Forest

Camino, CA
Georgetown, CA
Grizzly Flats, CA
Kyburz, CA
Pioneer, CA
Pollock Pines, CA

Inyo National Forest

Bishop, CA
Independence, CA
Lee Vining, CA
Lone Pine, CA
Mammoth Lakes, CA

Klamath National Forest

Callahan, CA
Fort Jones, CA
Happy Camp, CA
Klamath River, CA
Macdoel, CA
Seiad Valley, CA

Lake Tahoe National Forest

Glenbrook, NV
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Lassen National Forest

Chester, CA
Fall River Mills, CA
Forest Ranch, CA
Hat Creek, CA
Manzanita Lake, CA
Mineral, CA
Old Station, CA
Susanville, CA

Los Padres National Forest

Arroyo Grande, CA
Big Sur, CA
Bradley, CA
Carpinteria, CA
Fillmore, CA
Frazier Park, CA
Greenfield, CA
Jolon, CA
Lompoc, CA
Los Olivos, CA
Ojai, CA
Piru, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Margarita, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Ynez, CA

Mendocino National Forest

Covelo, CA
Elk Creek, CA
Paskenta, CA
Stonyford, CA
Upper Lake, CA
Willows, CA

Modoc National Forest

Adin, CA
Alturas, CA
Canby, CA
Cedarville, CA
NEW PINE CREEK, CA
Tulelake, CA

Plumas National Forest

Beckwourth, CA
Belden, CA
Blairsden, CA
Challenge, CA
Doyle, CA
Greenville, CA
Oroville, CA
Quincy, CA
Strawberry Valley, CA

San Bernardino National Forest

Fawnskin, CA
Idyllwild, CA
Lytle Creek, CA
San Bernardino, CA

Sequoia National Forest

California Hot Springs, CA
Glennville, CA
Havilah, CA
Hume, CA
Johnsondale, CA
Kernville, CA
Lake Isabella, CA
Pinehurst, CA
Porterville, CA
Springville, CA

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Burnt Ranch, CA
Lakehead, CA
McCloud, CA
Mount Shasta, CA
Mountain Gate, CA
Redding, CA
Weaverville, CA

Sierra National Forest

Big Creek, CA
Fresno, CA
Mariposa, CA
North Fork, CA
Oakhurst, CA
Prather, CA
Trimmer, CA

Six Rivers National Forest

Eureka, CA
Gasquet, CA
Mad River, CA
Orleans, CA
Ruth, CA
Salyer, CA
Willow Creek, CA

Stanislaus National Forest

Camp Connell, CA
Groveland, CA
Mi-Wuk Village, CA
Pinecrest, CA
Sonora, CA

Tahoe National Forest

Camptonville, CA
Foresthill, CA
Nevada City, CA
Sierraville, CA
Soda Springs, CA
Truckee, CA

 

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen or national who is at least 18 years of age. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill the available wildland firefighter positions and veterans' preference does not apply to these vacancies. 

Drug Testing

As an applicant for a permanent position, you may be subject to drug testing as part of the hiring process and must receive a negative drug test prior to reporting for duty. In addition, these positions are subject to random testing for illegal drug use. 

Selective Service Registration

Selective Service registration is the law. As a federal agency, the Forest Service must make sure any candidate required by law is either registered for Selective Service or has a qualifying exemption. If you are unsure if you are required to register, the Selective Service System offers guidance on Who Needs to Register.

Physical Fitness Test

Most positions may require you to take a Physical Fitness Test in order to determine if you are physically capable of completing the duties outlined in your position. 

GS-03 Requirements

GS-03: Applicants must have six (6) months general experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position;
-OR-
Successful completion of one (1) year of study above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences;
-OR-
An appropriate combination of general experience and education above high school as described above;
-OR-
Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than one (1) year at a technical school or through a military or government sponsored training program that was designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, technical school, junior college, college or university.

GS-04 Requirements

GS-04: Applicants must have six (6) months general experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position AND six (6) months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: Forestry aid or technician work; Engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on non-forest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment; Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
-OR-
Successful completion of two (2) years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable);
-OR-
An appropriate combination of experience and education above high school as described above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university and include courses that are related to the occupation of the position.

How to Apply

1. Visit USAJobs.gov. 

2. Create a profile.

3. Upload a resume or create a resume.

4. Search for jobs in USAJOBS.

5. Review the job announcement.

6. Apply anytime between January 2nd through January 24th, 2024.

More Information

Visit the Careers in Wildland Fire page for a full list of benefits, information on eligibility requirements, and to find out which job is right for you. Wildland firefighting vacancies are open year-round.

Questions?

For questions specific to this event, email us at sm.fs.fire_hire@usda.gov. 

For questions about career opportunities and applications call 1-877-372-7248 (select Option 2 and follow prompts). We're open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday through Friday and closed on all federal holidays.