Wildland Firefighter

We are seeking highly skilled and physically fit individuals to join our team as Smokejumpers (Forestry Technicians) with the U.S. Department of the Interior. As a Smokejumper, you will be responsible for parachuting into remote wilderness areas to fight wildfires and perform related duties.

• Parachute into mountainous, remote, and/or rugged terrain to perform fire suppression and related duties.
• Utilize fire behavior knowledge and firefighting experience to perform wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations safely and effectively.
• Direct fire line activities and tactics for firefighters, equipment, aircraft, and other resources.
• Maintain a variety of smokejumper and firefighting equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Repair, pack, and maintain parachutes and related equipment.

To be eligible for this position, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Pass an initial pre-employment physical examination.
• Meet the work capacity fitness test (carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes).
• Have a high level of proficiency in parachuting and smokejumper-related tasks.
• Complete an intensive training program in RAM Air Parachute Jumping and fire suppression methods and techniques.

To qualify for this position, you must have at least one of the following:

• 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties.
• A successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in forestry, range management, or agriculture, or a subject matter field directly related to the position.
• A combination of education and specialized work experience.

The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly, working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. The duties of this position are so rigorous that an annual physical examination and smokejumper fitness tests are required to ensure that the employee assigned can perform the duties without physical injury to self or others.

The majority of the work is performed outdoors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions. Meals frequently consist of cold rations and sleeping accommodations may be a sleeping bag and a piece of plastic. The remainder of the work is accomplished in a sometimes tense and stressful warehouse environment.