Handcrew Firefighter; Summer Seasonal

Job  - Seasonal Handcrew Firefighter

Agency:
Department of Public Safety - Wildland Fire

Location:

Rapid City

Minimum Salary: $21.14 Hourly

• Assist a handcrew in wildland fire management activities: suppressing wildland fires in the Black Hills area, pre‑suppression activities (equipment maintenance, fuel‑reduction projects, fire prevention), participating in fire training and prescribed burning projects, and facilities maintenance for the 2026 fire season.

• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor, maintain equipment, and operate 4x4 vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions.
• Use chainsaws to clear brush and fell trees.
• Night and weekend work required and availability for occasional out‑of‑state assignments up to 21 days.
• Age 18 by date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Housing and transportation to/from work are employee responsibilities.
• Wildland fire boots with minimum 8 inches high top, leather lace‑type, skid‑resistant soles are employee responsibility.
• Work holidays, weekends, irregular or rotating shifts.
• Public Safety Sensitive Position; pre‑hire drug screening required.
• Pass the arduous work capacity (pack test) – 3‑mile walk carrying a 45‑lb pack in 45 minutes or less.

• Knowledge of wildfire suppression tactics, mitigation, and hazardous fuel reduction techniques.
• Effective communication.
• Preferred: NWCG training – S130, S190, L180, IS100, and IS700.

• Be specific on the application form; list relevant licenses or certificates (driver’s license, CDL, CPR, EMT, etc.) and equipment you can operate.
• An additional pay of $0.60/hr is available for EMT or CDL certification for firefighter positions.
• Include available employment dates and complete mailing address.

• Online application: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-stateofsout
• Paper application: email to dewey.arnold.us or mail to SD Wildland Fire, 3305 W South St, Rapid City, SD 57702.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. This is a temporary or seasonal, non‑benefited position, exempt from civil service.