Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

• Independently performs recurring fire suppression duties on a helitack crew as a senior firefighter.
• Loads helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods weight distribution necessity for securing total weight etc. and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site.
• Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories fire tools and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks.
• May exit helicopter in remote areas to construct helispots or to attack small fires hot spots and spot fires. May be certified in the use of long-line external loads and the operation and maintenance of accessory equipment.
• May serve as a certified rappeller.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data topography fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment recommend best approaches and practices to use in the protection of the values at risk
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment.
• In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used effectively in suppressing the fire the incumbent takes aggressive control action in attacking the fire using other means.
• Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques practices and methods of fire suppression and in the safe efficient operation and use of tools equipment and vehicles used in fireline activities.
• Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment. May be qualified as a Forest Service short hauler.
• Serves as an experienced firefighter on helitack or other related fire suppression modules performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate fuels and terrain.
• May inventory fuel beds prepare associated reports perform hazard fuel reduction projects monitor burning conditions pile vegetation debris.
• May act in assigned positions such as ignition or holding specialist or other designated positions during actual fuel reduction efforts by prescribed fire.
• May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance habitat manipulation and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
• May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance habitat manipulation and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
• May be required to fill-in for other work leaders on established crews.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit .
• Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state drivers license; a commercial drivers license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment.
• Must pass the appropriate level of the Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters.

In order to qualify you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position visit the Office of Personnel Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

In order to be considered for this position copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation.

GW-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-04 grade level in federal service or equivalent; OR successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science Fire Training Fire Technology or other related fields of study; OR a combination of education and specialized experience.

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisted in loading helicopter cargo and completing manifests of crews and equipment; Patrolled areas of controlled fires to mop-up by searching out and extinguishing any remaining burning material; Served on a specialty crew (hotshot helitack engines etc.) to suppress the full range of difficult and complex fires. Operated specialized fire suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.

Selective Placement Factors

• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) -AND-
• Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).