Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain) (Direct Hire Authority)

Major Duties:

• This position serves as primary fire engine operator which is responsible for the safe operation maintenance and upkeep of a wildland fire engine.
• This position will carry out engine captain responsibilities while performing duties in the absence of the engine captain.
• Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as but not limited to power saws portable pumps firing devices and communication equipment (e.g. programming radio frequencies) and makes decisions as to when where and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage. Directs and ensures proper assembly of equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments or daily work assignments. May serve as a subject matter expert on regional state and/or national interagency committees.
• Direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking controlling or mopping up fires building or patrolling firelines cleaning up burned areas within firelines suppressing spot fires felling snags or trees and cutting brush.
• Ensures assigned crew members and equipment for the specific fire assignments or daily work assignments are in a state of readiness for the assignment or initial attack. Participates in or leads physical fitness programs.
• Provides leadership as an Assistant Engine Captain in wildland fire suppression efforts while considering safety of crew and equipment.
• Accomplish fire management objectives in highly complex wildland urban interface environments.
• Perform wildland fire suppression through preparedness prevention monitoring hazardous fuel reduction training and prescribed fire.
• Directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex hazard fuel reduction projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g. fuel quantity and conditions) planning (e.g. drafting or reviewing fuels management plans assessing and recommending fuel treatment alternatives) preparing (e.g. ensuring proper training placement and instruction of crews) and implementing (e.g. ignition holding mop-up and rehabilitation) treatments. Fuels management projects include prescribed fire and mechanical and biological treatments; inventorying fuel beds; and piling vegetation debris. May be required to use/operate specialized firing equipment.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to addition this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license is required. You may be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operators License and Driving Record.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• You will be required to operate a fire engine and various motor vehicles as part of your official duties. Depending on location you must obtain and maintain either a Class A or a Class B CDL (tank endorsement) within 1 year of appointment.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Government housing may be available and contingent upon selection and to be discussed with the hiring manager.
• Government housing is required at the Grand Canyon/ South Rim and Grand Teton/ Colter Bay locations.
• 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 a 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.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED:

• Prior to appointment you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision hearing cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to take periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
• The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employees fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 02/20/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

**NOTE - Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the Resume under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating the event you submit more than one resume only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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.

Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:

1. Single Resource Boss - Engine (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-
2. Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-
3. Completion of S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use Course (CURRENCY REQUIRED)

To Qualify for GW-07

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-06 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. 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 functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings safety sessions and/or other basic wildland fire training.

NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.

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.