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Zigzag Hotshots

The Zigzag Hotshots wearing wildland firefighting clothing and hard hats, posing for a group picture on the peak of a mountain.

The Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew is located on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. We are a group of 20 highly motivated and physically fit individuals who, in essence, forgo all other activities during the fire season to respond to all-risk incidents.

An average fire season includes 90 to 120 days.  We often fight fire in the western United States, but travel throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Canada.

The Zigzag Hotshots demonstrate a strong work ethic, great teamwork and a commitment to safely completing difficult assignments. This often includes long shifts working in challenging conditions.

Employment

The Zigzag Hotshots standing along a forest dirt road, igniting a backburn to run downslope.

The Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew employs physically fit, highly motivated individuals. Competition for vacant positions is high, so references should show an applicant is inclusive of others, a positive team member, and an extremely hard worker at all times. Prior wildland firefighter experience is generally recommended to be a successful applicant.

Applicants with little or no experience must demonstrate excellent physical fitness, a high level of teamwork, personal motivation and potential to compete for new hire positions.

Additional skills of successful applicants may include, but are not limited to: chainsaw experience, helitack qualifications, emergency medical technician certification, past National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training and current Incident Qualification System (ICS) qualifications.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the crew superintendent or assistant superintendent early in the hiring process to ensure being a Zigzag Hotshot is the right job for them.  Those who decide to pursue our program must apply to Zigzag, OR for the hotshot crew member announcements in USA Jobs during the open period.  Selections will be made late January-early February for the upcoming fire year.

Outreaches for current permanent position vacancies will be posted on the U.S. Forest Service Employment Outreach.

Interested applicants are encouraged to call, email and make site visits to learn more about our program.

Sandra Sperry, Superintendent
((503) 622-2044 (Office)
((503) 706-9432 (Cell)

Chad Core, Assistant Superintendent
((503) 622-2012 (Office)
((971) 337-7948 (Cell)