Wildland Firefighter (Engine) - Direct Hire Authority

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

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 m.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

For the GW-07

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 08/17/2026 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: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew…