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Wildland Firefighter (Training) -Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS)

Summary

This position is with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) Alaska Geographic Area Fire Operations and Resources within the Duty Office.

For more information regarding this position, contact Chris Wennogle @ cwennogle@blm.gov

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 08/11/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 11, 2026
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Telework on case-by-case basis without a set schedule (e.g., result of inclement weather, personal appointment, or a special work assignment)
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$82,352 - $107,063 per year

Salary includes a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which is subject to annual review and adjustment.

Pay scale & grade
GW 9
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnights on fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position as needed.
Appointment type
Permanent - These are Career-Seasonal positions. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
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
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
WFSDHA-26-13019849-LS-A
Control number
878065600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.

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Duties

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As a Wildland Firefighter (Training) -Direct Hire Authority your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop and update wildland fire training to support firefighter qualifications and operational readiness.
  • Provide technical fire expertise to ensure training aligns with current standards and field operations.
  • Coordinate interagency training activities with partners, subject matter experts, and stakeholders.
  • Evaluate and improve training programs using incident feedback, lessons learned, and after-action reviews.
  • Support incident readiness and response by maintaining qualifications and participating in operational assignments.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males..
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You must be willing to live and work in remote locations.
  • Government Housing is not available.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • Subject to frequent extended travel up to 15 nights per month 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.
  • You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • This is a Drug Test Designated Position. 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.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 08/11/2026.
  • Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/11/2026, unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.

You must clearly demonstrate this experience in your resume, including the months, days and hours per week at which the work was performed in order to be considered. NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.

Selective Factor: This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE

Basic Qualification Requirements:

Selective Factor: This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. Candidates must possess Primary/Rigorous wildland firefighting experience, gained through fire line work in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. You must clearly demonstrate this experience in your resume, including the months, days, and hours per week at which the work was performed to be considered.
  • Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either:
    • At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization.
  • -OR-
    • At least 14 days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive).
    • Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume. Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement.;

- AND -

In addition, to qualify for this position, you must possess the following specialized experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GW -08 level in the Federal service. Special experience will include; Applying wildland fire management principles, fire behavior, suppression tactics, and the Incident Command System (ICS) to support interagency wildland fire training; assisting with the development, delivery, or evaluation of training programs; and collaborating with interagency partners to support firefighter qualification, operational readiness, and incident performance.

Volunteer Experience: 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational qualifications for the GW-0456 Wildland Firefighter occupational series at the GW-09 grade level.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Physical Demands: The work involves prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer in an office environment, frequent interruptions, and participation in numerous meetings or other group activities. Standing and hiking in adverse climates may be required for fieldwork. Occasional travel may be required..

Working Conditions: The work environment varies from an office setting, where the incumbent is in contact with work associates, to field settings where the incumbent may work alone or in groups in remote and adverse conditions. The incumbent adheres to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in applicable manuals, supplements, or by the designated Safety Officer.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Additional information

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR ยง575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

This is a secondary-administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U. S. C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For Information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: Career Transition (opm.gov)

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework with supervisors permission on case-by-case basis without a set schedule (e.g., result of inclement weather, personal appointment, or a special work assignment).

These are Career-Seasonal positions. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. On an annual basis, employee signs a "career-seasonal" agreement with the supervisor which defines the work schedule for that year. After 90 days in this position, employee's work schedule may be changed to a permanent non-career seasonal position. In which case they will work 12 months per year.

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 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.

Office of the Secretary of the Interior

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), an organization within the Department of the Interior (DOI), responds to wildfires and promotes fire-resilient landscapes across more than 500 million acres of public and tribal lands nationwide. The USWFS has full program authority and coordinates the DOI wildland fire management program in its entirety. It ensures coordination within DOI, the Bureaus it serves, other federal agencies -- particularly the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service -- as well as non-federal agencies, state foresters, tribes, and a variety of stakeholder groups representing volunteer firefighters.

Agency contact information

NSPS TEAM
Email
OHCNSPS@ios.doi.gov
Address
Office of the Secretary
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at Office of the Secretary of the Interior, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.doi.gov/wildlandfireservice

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