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Motor Vehicle Operator (Fire)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/15/2025 to 01/06/2026
Salary
$28.08 to - $34.09 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 8
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Burley, ID
Shoshone, ID
Twin Falls, ID
Winnemucca, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - These are temporary appointments. These positions will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
BLM-FIRE-2026-038-DHA
Control number
852428000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all qualified U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice under the Direct Hiring Authority.

Duties

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for temporary employees to work as Motor Vehicle Operators.

A Motor Vehicle Operator (WG-08) operates a water tender by supplying water or retardant to engines, helicopters, SEATS and hand crews during firefighting operations. Vehicle typically has a gross vehicle weight of 64,000 pounds, dual rear axles, up to 13 forward gears and is equipped with air brakes. Vehicle is typically equipped with a 3,000 gallon water tank and pumps to fill and discharge water. Operation of vehicle will be performed on public roads and over rough terrain. Performs operator maintenance on vehicle and auxiliary equipment. Performs emergency repairs such as changing tires and replacing fan belts, lights and windshield wipers.

Locations for these positions are:
Twin Falls District (Twin Falls/Burley/Shoshone, ID)*
Winnemucca, NV

*NOTE: For district locations, applicants may be assigned to any of the locations listed for that district.

For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select the state you are interested in.

For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.

Positions may require a valid state driver's license.

Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer.

You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

You must pass a physical exam prior to appointment.

Qualifications

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualifications System for Trades and Labor Occupations will be used in determining your qualifications. There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, you must be able to demonstrate through experience shown in your resume.

Screen-out Element: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. This must be verifiable on your application.

To qualify for a Motor Vehicle Operator WG-08, you must have experience driving a diesel truck (60,000-80,000 GVW) over the highway with some experience driving in off road or unimproved road situations where the supervisor was available to set and routinely monitor standards of operation and correct deficiencies.

Selective Placement Factor for WG-08:
1. You must have a valid state Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Effort: Constant movement is involved in operating the vehicle which requires muscular coordination of hands, arms, and fee; good vision; good hearing; reaction reflexes; depth perception; and mental alertness. Physical effort is expended in making repairs, performing maintenance, handling hoses, and climbing on and off vehicles to hook up hoses.

Required to meet Moderate physical fitness along with other requirements, such as drug testing, physical, etc.

Work Conditions: Work is outside where the incumbent is exposed to wind and temperatures of over 100 degrees as well as dust, fumes, and smoke from wildland fires. The incumbent may also be subject to cuts, bruises, and broken bones as a result of accidents while driving. The incumbent drives on a variety of surfaces such as public highways, dirt roads, and over unimproved surfaces which may be rocky, rough, and steep.

May be required to spend several days (up to 21) living in a field or fire camp environment.

Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designate Safety Officer or Fire Management Official.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

Pay rates vary depending on location. For additional information on pay rates: Click here.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well-qualified if they meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following:
-Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays
-Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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 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. 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.

The job specific questions relate to the following job elements required to do the work of this position:

Element 1 - Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. (Screen-Out)
Element 2 - Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
Element 3 - Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (related to mobile equipment operations)

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