Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) - Direct Hire Authority
What you'd do
This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority These Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) positions are with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-13 working in the following location(s): Boise, Idaho
Major duties
As a Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a Service-wide expert in the development and implementation of hazardous fuels programs. Develops new policy guidance and reviews existing Departmental and Bureau policy guidance and operational procedures to evaluate overall effectiveness in meeting Bureau objectives at the regional or state level. Serves as a wildland fuels management program expert and technically advises unit, tribal, state, or regional office managers and key staff members. Formulates, develops, and drafts new policy and procedural guides and ensures awareness and appropriate usage of new departmental and bureau policies. Supports development and review of annual Fuels Management Programs of Work (POW) for Geographic Areas.
What you need to qualify
Basic Qualification Requirements: 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. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the requirements described above, you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Minimum Qualification GW-0456-13 At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-12 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, which includes all of the following: Examples of specialized experience include: Develops, evaluates, and implements wildland fire and fuels management policies, procedures, and program guidance affecting multiple organizational units, ensuring compliance with Departmental, Bureau, and interagency requirements. Serves as a technical authority on hazardous fuels management, providing expert guidance to field, tribal, state, and regional leadership on complex fuels planning, risk reduction strategies, and program implementation. Leads program reviews, assessments, and audits of wildland fire and fuels management operations; analyzes findings, identifies deficiencies, and develops corrective actions to improve program effectiveness and policy compliance. Coordinates the development, review, and approval of Fire Management Plans, fuels treatment strategies, and long-range program plans, ensuring alignment with land management objectives, environmental requirements, and national fire management policies. Represents the organization on interagency committees, workgroups, and planning teams, negotiating solutions to complex fuels management issues and developing standards, policies, and operational guidance across multiple jurisdictions. Analyzes program performance, accomplishments, funding requirements, and resource allocation needs to support fuels management budgeting, strategic planning, workforce development, and achievement of fire management objectives. 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. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, however, some physical exertion related to site visitations and fire line assignments is required. Walking on rough, uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and exposure to extreme heat, smoke, and temperatures is required. Working Conditions: Work is normally performed in an office setting. During the wildland fire season, field work may involve high risk exposure to potentially dangerous situating or stress. The above work environment involves occasional exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which usually require protective equipment to be worn. A range of safety and other precautions are required. Exposure to risks such as wildfire, heat, smoke, falling rocks and trees, etc., are a part of the job during wildland fire season. Work may require flying in small fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulating as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer. Only experience and education obtained by 07/10/2026 will be considered.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.