Careers and Jobs

Salmon-Challis National Forest
SOUTH ZONE FIRE
Temporary Employment
Opportunities

This booklet contains temporary employment opportunities for the 2026 field season. A variety of jobs are available in fire. The final number and types of positions filled will depend on staffing needs and budget.
Application period on USAJobs.gov will be open from October 15th – October 29th 2025.

About the Forest
Covering a stunning 4.3 million acres in east-central Idaho, the Salmon-Challis National Forest is a true wilderness gem. Nestled against the Bitterroot Range of the north-central Rockies to the east and bordered by over 2.3 million acres of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the west, this rugged terrain offers unparalleled adventure and solitude amidst breathtaking scenery.
Home to Mt. Borah, Idaho's tallest peak, and the Wild and Scenic Salmon River along with the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the Forest is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re hunting, fishing, or seeking thrills in white-water rafting, you’ll find it here. The diverse topography and geology, combined with challenging weather conditions, create a rich habitat, including critical spawning grounds for anadromous fish.
The Forest Headquarters Office is in Salmon, Idaho, and encompasses six administrative units: Salmon-Cobalt, Challis-Yankee Fork, Lost River, Middle Fork, North Fork, and Leadore Ranger Districts.
Check us out on the web at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/salmon-challis

Available Positions
Firefighter Positions:
Link to videos: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/videos
As a wildland firefighter, you will serve on specialized teams such as Engine crews, Fire Modules, or Helitack units, engaging in critical fire suppression and fuels management operations. Your duties will encompass all phases of wildland and prescribed fire activities—from preparation and ignition to monitoring and mop-up—while adapting to challenging environmental conditions. In addition to firefighting, you will perform forestry support tasks, including road and trail maintenance and habitat manipulation, as well as conducting fuel inventory assessments and implementing hazard fuel reduction projects.
• Execute fire suppression and fuels management tasks in adverse conditions.
• Maintain and repair firefighting equipment and facilities.
• Collaborate with teams and engage with communities on fire safety initiatives.
In this vital role, your commitment to safety, teamwork, and environmental stewardship will directly contribute to protecting natural resources and communities from the threat of wildfires, making you an essential part of the firefighting effort.
Lookout Positions:
As a remote lookout in wildland fire detection, you will play a crucial role in identifying and reporting potential fire threats from elevated observation points. Your primary responsibilities will involve operating radios, telephones, and other communication equipment to relay vital information to fire dispatch about fire weather and suppression activities. You will report smoke and fire locations, estimate their sizes, and provide essential data such
as wind direction, speed, temperature, humidity, and fire behavior. Maintaining constant communication with dispatch and fire officials will be key to ensuring timely responses to emerging threats. Additionally, you will be responsible for minor maintenance and upkeep of the lookout station, addressing any maintenance needs with your supervisor.
• Operate communication equipment to relay critical fire information.
• Monitor and report on weather conditions and fire behavior.
• Perform lookout maintenance and manage supplies for extended periods.
In this independent role, your ability to work autonomously in a remote environment will be essential, as you’ll need to carry supplies such as firewood and water and maintain adequate provisions for up to ten consecutive days. Your vigilance and proactive communication will be vital in safeguarding natural resources and enhancing wildfire response efforts.
General Information
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
All seasonal positions are limited to 1039 base hours per season. Each seasonal position typically starts in May/June and ends September/October.
Housing:
Government quarters may be available for these positions, but this is not guaranteed. Employees seeking non-government housing are encouraged to begin exploring their options as soon as possible. For more information about housing availability and options, please contact the person listed for the position.
Salary and Qualifications:
GW-3: $17.88 per hour starting wage. Most common entry-level grade. To qualify, an applicant is required to have six (6) months of general experience in any field. Education can be substituted for experience to qualify as well.
GW-4: $19.62 per hour starting wage. To qualify, an applicant is required of to have six (6) months of general experience in any field and six (6) months of specialized experience in the field being applied to. Education can be substituted for experience to qualify as well.
GW-5: $21.46 per hour starting wage. To qualify, an applicant is required of to have six (6) months of general experience in any field and twelve
months experience as a GW-04.
GS-3: $13.15 per hour starting wage. Most common entry-level grade. To qualify, an applicant is required to have six (6) months of general experience in any field. Education can be substituted for experience to qualify as well.
GS-4: $14.76 per hour starting wage. To qualify, an applicant is required of to have six (6) months of general experience in any field and six (6) months of specialized experience in the field being applied to. Education can be substituted for experience to qualify as well.
GS-5: $16.51 per hour starting wage. To qualify, an applicant is required of to have six (6) months of general experience in any field and twelve month expereince as a GS-04.

Salmon Challis Interest Form
Fill out our Interest Form to express your interest in fire job opportunities with us! By signing up, you’ll not only stay informed about exciting positions but also gain access to valuable resources, including resume reviews and application assistance.
https://forms.office.com/g/xXqiZtgk5d

Application Instructions
A YouTube Video
https://youtu.be/fFbyO8W-pVA?si=1mgaZ14-tIyEo9gq
Written Instructions
** Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. **
1. Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
2. Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
3. Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.

Required Documents:
The following documents must be submitted to constitute a complete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents will result in elimination from consideration.
1. Resume that includes the following information:
• Job information for which you are applying
• Personal information
• Education
• Work experience
• Other qualifications (including IQCS Master Record or equivalent for fire positions)
2. College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if selected; an official college transcript will be required.
3. DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
4. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee that will verify you’re federal status, position title, series and grade. Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher.
5. Annual Performance Appraisal if you are a current Federal employee. Submit the most recently completed annual performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) which identifies the employee's official rating of record, signed by the supervisor, or a statement advising why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.
6. Certification of Disability if you are eligible for appointment based on a disability under the Schedule A hiring authority. This certification can be documented by a counselor from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs; by a statement or letter on a physician/medical professionals’ letterhead stationary; or by statements, records, or letters from a Federal Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. The certification must also describe any needed reasonable accommodation. You can review additional information at: https://www.opm.gov/disability/appempl.asp.
7. Proof of eligibility for appointment based on service in the Peace Corps, Vista, Action Cooperative, or another special authority.
8. CTAP/ICTAP documentation if separated from Federal service or pending separation based on a reduction in force (RIF) or other management workforce reduction action. Proof of eligibility must include a separation notice or Certificate of Expected Separation, SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action or most recent SF-50 (that is not an award), and latest performance appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a statement advising why one is unavailable.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, status as a parent (in education and training programs and activities), because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or retaliation. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs or activities.) If you require this information in alternative formal (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) contact the USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD). If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the agency office responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C 20250-9410, or call Toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact the USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866)377-8642 (relay voice users). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.