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Temporary Wildland Firefighting Opportunities


Oregon fiefighters using tools to fight a fire
Members of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest work fires on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. (USDA Forest Service Photo by Preston Keres)

Real Jobs. Real Impact.

Challenge yourself to new limits, join the Forest Service men and women who serve and protect millions of acres of our national forests, communities, and our natural resources.

Fire Job Announcements

Wildland Firefighters

Our firefighters are involved with wildland fire suppression, management, and control. This work is performed on engines, as a member of a helitak crew, or on a handcrew. 

Details About the Openings

Apply March 3rd through March13th, 2025. Positions are available in various locations nationwide. Positions will be open to the public using a Direct Hire Authority. 

For a full list of temporary fire opportunities, visit USAJOBS. Position salary, location, and start date will vary.

Search & Apply Now!

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.

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 sever shortage of candidates exists. DHA speeds the hiring process along by removing competitive rating and ranking, veterans' preference, and "rule of three" procedures.

As an applicant, 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 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.

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.

Job requirements vary based on position. Make sure to review the qualifications in the job announcement for each position you apply to.

Benefits

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision 

  • Life Insurance

  • Annual leave based on years of service - Starting with 4 hours per pay period 

  • Sick leave, 4 hours per pay period

  • 11 paid holidays per year

  • Base Pay $35,499 – $45,982 per year

  • Overtime Pay

  • Hazard Pay

  • Paths to promotion

  • Paid Training

  • Financial literacy courses

  • Legal resources

  • Mental health assistance

  • Family counseling 

  • and more!

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 March 3rd through March13th.

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. 

Further opportunities to discover Forest Service vacancies

Positions Available Nationwide

Visit your local Forest Service website for more information including location information and application dates.

map displaying Forest Service regions
USDA Forest Service regions map. (USDA Forest Service graphic)

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 the prompts. We're open from 7 AM to 5 PM (Mountain Time), Monday through Friday and closed on all Federal Holidays.

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer