Wildland Firefighter Hiring

Anaconda, MT

Ashland, MT

Augusta, MT

Avery, ID

Bigfork, MT

Bonners Ferry, ID

Butte, MT

Camp Crook, SD

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Darby, MT

Elk City, ID

Eureka, MT

Gallatin Gateway, MT

Grangeville, ID

Harlowtown, MT

Helena, MT

Huson, MT

Kalispell, MT

Kooskia, ID

Lincoln, MT

Missoula, MT

Orofino, ID

Plains, MT

Seeley Lake, MT

Stevensville, MT

Sula, MT

Superior, MT

Townsend, MT

White Bird, ID

Whitehall, MT

Wisdom, MT

Wise River, MT

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland | Scott Nutt: scott.nutt@usda.gov

• Fort Collins, CO

Black Hills National Forests | Jared Hohn: jared.j.hohn@usda.gov

• Newcastle WY, Custer SD, Hill City SD, Rapid City SD, Nemo SD, Spearfish SD, Sundance WY

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests | Justin Reece: justin.reece@usda.gov

•  Collbran, CO

Shoshone National Forest | Travis Braten: travis.braten@usda.gov

• Cody, WY

Bighorn National Forest 

• Sheridan, WY

Medicine Bow–Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland | Melanie Morgan: Melanie.Morgan@usda.gov

• Wright WY, Douglas WY, Laramie WY, Saratoga WY, Steamboat CO, Walden CO, Yampa CO

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands | Aaron Nellen: aaren.l.nellen@usda.gov

• Hot Springs SD, Fort Pierre SD

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | Tom Barter: thomas.barter@usda.gov

• Springfield CO, Lake George CO, Monument CO

San Juan National Forest | Lance Martin: lance.martin@usda.gov 

• Durango CO, Pagosa Springs CO

White River National Forest | Eric White:  eric.white@usda.gov 

• Silverthorne CO, Eagle CO, Rifle CO

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 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 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.

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 six (6) semester hours in 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 Applicants must have six (6) months of  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 resource (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than three 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, technical school, junior college, college, or university.

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision 

• Life Insurance

• Annual leave based on years of service - Starting with 104 hours (13 days) per year

• Sick leave, 104 hours (13 days) per year

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Base Pay $35,499 – $45,982 per year

• Overtime Pay

• Hazard Pay

• Paths to promotion

• Paid Training

Three-pronged retirement plan

• Firefighter Retirement (pension)

• Thrift Savings Plan (investment plan)

• Social Security

• Wellness benefits

• Financial literacy courses

• Legal resources

• Mental health assistance

• Family counseling 

• and more!