Forestry technician (fire dispatch

Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crew member within the fire management organization. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a fire dispatcher in support of fire suppression activities.

Accepting applications

Open 07/31/2026 to 08/14/2026

Location

Many vacancies in the following locations:

Location Negotiable After Selection

Medford, OR

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible:
No

Remote job:
No

Relocation expenses reimbursed:
No

Salary $25.37 - $25.37 per hour
Salary is reflective of the new Special Base Rate (S ) Salary Table for the General Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan effective 3/23/2025.

Pay scale & grade: GW 5

Promotion potential:
None

Work schedule:

Full-time

Travel Required:

Occasional travel - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment.

Appointment type:
Temporary

Occupations and job series: 0462 Forestry Technician

Supervisory status:
No

Federal service type:
This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union:
No

Drug test:
Yes

Security clearance:
Other

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type:
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required:
No

Announcement number: 27-TEMPF2-R6-FS0936-5DH

Control number:

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency:
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

• Serves as a dispatcher, receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Follows established procedures to perform a variety of technical duties common to the dispatch of personnel, equipment, aircraft and/or supplies according to pre-defined plans or in response to resource orders from the field.
• Initiates requests to higher organizational levels for additional resources as needed. Maintains resource status and tracking systems and operates telecommunications systems.
• Collects, processes, collates and submits incident information to support fire operations (e.g., fire reports, smoke permits, spot weather forecasts, prescribed fire burn requests).
• Organizes and reviews completed records of all orders placed and actions taken to ensure adherence to established operating procedures.
• Processes and interprets weather information (e.g., spot weather forecasts, weather station observations, current and forecasted weather, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels).
• This information is used to determine burning indices, preparedness levels and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.
• Inputs data into a number of fire-related computer applications (e.g., incident qualification records, fire reporting systems, and automated dispatch systems) and makes the initial assessment of outputs.
• Provides critical logistical support information to supervisor and makes recommendations concerning the efficient uses of available resources.
• Records and maintains communication logs.
• Coordinates and may assist with fire and aviation operational-type training/simulations and orientation in addition to initial attack dispatch and aviation dispatch training.
• Gathers information for the development and maintenance of the dispatch mobilization guide and internal dispatch operating guides.
• Shares information with cooperators and other interested entities.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the…