Permanent Fire Jobs
The USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region 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, GW-03/04 Firefighters and GW-03/04/05 Wildland Fire Apprentices will be hired during two of the four phases. When applying, 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
Application Time Frame
8/22/24 to 9/23/24
GW-Level
GW-10 & below
Interview Time Frame
11/18/25 to 11/20/25 (GS-09/10 ONLY)
Selection Weeks
12/01/25 to 12/17/25
Enter on Duty ~ No Later Than
03/08/26
Application Time Frame
01/13/26 to 01/22/26
GW-Level
GW-10 & above
Interview Time Frame
02/13/26 to 03/03/26
Selection Weeks
02/13/26 to 02/27/26
Enter on Duty ~ No Later Than
05/17/26
Application Timeframe: February 5th, 2026- February 23rd, 2026
Starting Date: May 17th, 2026 (or thereafter)
Individuals interested in this opportunity should contact the Fire Management Officer at the local Forest Service office (in-person) or reach out via email to the hiring point-of-contact listed for each forest found under “Further Hiring Details” on this page.
Application Time Frame
03/10/26 to 03/19/26
GW-Level
GW-03 & above
Interview Time Frame
04/10/26 to 04/27/26
Selection Weeks
04/10/26 to 04/24/26
Enter on Duty ~ No Later Than
07/12/26
Application Time Frame
05/19/26 to 05/28/26
GW-Level
GW-07 & above
Interview Time Frame
06/18/26 to 07/02/26
Selection Weeks
06/18/26 to 07/02/26
Enter on Duty ~ No Later Than
09/20/26
Interested in Starting a Wildland Fire Career?
Thinking about putting your efforts into fighting wildland fires?
Let us know by completing and submitting this form.
Further Hiring Details
For information regarding current permanent fire position vacancies contact:
- Ashley NF -Mike Bertagnolli, michael.bertagnolli@usda.gov
- Boise NF - Eli Grooms, arthur.grooms@usda.gov
- Bridger-Teton NF - James Turner, james.c.turner@usda.gov
- Caribou-Targhee - BJ Bugger, bradley.bugger@usda.gov
- Dixie NF - Kevin Greenhalgh, kevin.greenhalgh@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 - Brian Bush, brian.bush@usda.gov
- Salmon-Challis NF - Doug Petray, douglas.petray@usda.gov
- Sawtooth NF - Adam Benkula, adam.benkula@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.
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.