Wildland Firefighter (Engine) - Direct Hire Authority
About This Position
This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This Wildland Firefighter (Engine) - Direct Hire Authority position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-6/7 working in the following location(s): Bishop, California Crater Lake, Oregon Hawaii National Park, Hawaii Los Banos, California Tulelake, California Willows, California Yosemite National Park, California
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.
This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday.
Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday.
You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement.
If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. Additional Requirements for the GW-06 & GW-07 grades detailed below: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.
This position has been categorized as a Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain) - High Complexity and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at www.ifpm.nifc.gov. To meet IFPM requirements for this position, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: SELECTIVE FACTORS: For this Wildland Firefighter position you must also meet the following selective placement factors: For the GW-06 Firefighter Type I (FFT1) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) For the GW-07 Engine Boss (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND- Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) If selected at the GW-06, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-07 grade level.
Only experience and education obtained by 08/03/2026 will be considered. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.
In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Minimum Qualifications For the GW-06 level: One year of experience equivalent to the GS/GW-05 level in the Federal service which includes the following: Performing and directing others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and foam application. Performing prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop up.
Evaluating initial fire situations, determining rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements. Ensure the engine and fire equipment has been kept in full state of readiness for dispatch. For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in the federal service.
Examples of specialized experience include: (1) personally leading a crew in Wildland Fire Operations, and at least one of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: Initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) personally leading or supervising others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training. IMPORTANT - PLEASE
NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at these grade levels. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement.
This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter.
Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of
- Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.
Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system. Physical Demands: The work of this position requires arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Working Conditions: This position is expected to work in forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc.
Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances.
Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.
Major Duties
As a Wildland Firefighter (Engine) - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Duties at the GW-06 level Coordinate module or crew logistics and placing suppression and other equipment at strategic points. Use and operate special tools and equipment such as power saws, portable pumps, firing devices, radio and/or other communication equipment. Lead fuels management projects that include gathering data for monitoring programs, implementing prescribed fire, mechanical and biological treatments, inventorying fuel beds, and piling of vegetative debris.
Serve as situational leader on wildland fires by directing work of small crew(s) in building firelines, burning out, mopping up, and patrolling firelines. Perform administrative responsibilities such as maintaining records (e.g. receipts for supplies, travel and charge card purchases), ensure work is carried out safely, report on work accomplishments, and reporting employee concerns to higher level supervisors. Duties at the GW-07 level Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as, but not limited to power saws, portable pumps, firing devices, and communication equipment (e.g., programming radio frequencies), and makes decisions as to when, where, and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage.
Directs and ensures proper assembly of equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments or daily work assignments. May serve as subject matter expert on regional, state, and or/national interagency committees. Ensures assigned crew members and equipment for the specific fire assignments or daily work assignments are in a state of readiness for the assignment or initial attack.
Participates in or leads physical fitness programs. Direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines, cleaning up burned areas within firelines, suppressing spot fires, felling snags or trees, and cutting brush. Directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex hazard fuel reduction projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g., fuel quantity and conditions), planning (e.g., drafting or reviewing fuels management plans, assessing and recommending fuel treatment alternatives), preparing (e.g., ensuring proper training, placement, and instruction of crews), and implementing (e.g., ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation) treatments.
Fuels management projects include prescribed fire, and mechanical and biological treatments; inventorying fuel beds; and piling vegetation debris. May be required to use/operate specialized firing equipment. Drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation.
Performs/conducts engine operations techniques, including tandem operations, mobile attack, pump and roll, firing and holding operations, stationary attack, engine protection, simple and progressive hoselays. Ensures adequate supply of water and chemical agents are maintained to the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fireline. Locates water sources and checks for volume and cleanliness for engine resupply.
Performs specialized duties such as water handling specialist or maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Direct Deposit Required.
You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout their employment in this position.
You will be required to operate a fire engine and various motor vehicles as part of your official duties; a valid Commercial Driver's License may be required. Depending on location you must obtain and maintain a Class B CDL (tank endorsement) within 1 year of appointment. Positions located at Hawaii National Park, Tulelake, Willows, and Yosemite NP require Class B CDL within 1 year of appointment Position located at Bishop may require Class B CDL within 1 year of appointment Official U.S.
Wildland Fire Service uniform is required. A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position. Must meet the maximum age requirement. See qualifications section for more information.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Occupancy of government quarters is required for the position located in Yosemite National Park, CA. Subject to frequent extended travel particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
Education
IMPORTANT - There is no education substitute for experience at the GW-0456-06 or GW-0456-07 grade levels. Position Information: **PLEASE NOTE - these positions are covered under the new GW pay table specific to Wildland Firefighters. The salary listed in the announcement is for the RUS pay table: GW RUS Pay Table.
Central CA BLM Bishop Field Office, Bishop, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table. Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake, OR, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii NP, HI, covered under the State of Hawaii Pay table.
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Los Banos, CA, covered under the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Pay table. CA Desert District BLM Olancha Fire Station, Olancha, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table. Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Tulelake, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willows, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table. Yosemite National Park, El Portal & Yosemite NP, CA, covered under the Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA Pay Table. In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected.
Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected. PCS entitlements authorized for position at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park only. IMPORTANT, Special Consideration: The island of Hawai'i can be subject to high concentrations of volcanic fumes, especially sulfur dioxide gases and particulates.
The fumes are known to be hazardous to an unborn fetus, and persons with heart and respiratory problems. Long-term effects on normal healthy persons are unknown. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive.
The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.
In addition to the yearly salary, the position in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) as determined by https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease. One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Wildland Fire Service offices in the local commuting area.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the minimum qualification requirements of this position. Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine if you are minimally qualified for the position. If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All minimally qualified candidates will be referred for consideration.
Please note that the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis. If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the employee will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.
Additional Information
Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GW-07. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.
The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on an RPL, you may be given priority consideration. The USWFS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process. The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
How to Apply
Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement.
You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text.
You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.
Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12975175. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
Applications must be received by 08/03/2026, 11:59pm ET to receive consideration. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please refer to the contact information listed at the bottom of the announcement.
Required Documents
You must submit a complete application package. The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/03/2026.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information.
Your resume MUST list your education and work experience including (1) the dates (mm/yy) of each employment, along with (2) the number of hours worked per week, and (3) work experience duties listed under each job entry. In addition, Civil Service employees must provide their current OPM title, series, and grade. If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly show how long you were working in each grade level.
Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. No assumptions will be made about your experience and/or education. You are welcome to submit a cover letter.
Resumes must also include name and how to best contact you, including email address and phone number. Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on What should I include in my federal resume and/or OPM Resume Writing Tips.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following supplemental documentation as applicable: IFPM Requirement - You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation will result in you being rated as not qualified. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.