Wildland Firefighter (Engine) - 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 This Wildland Firefighter (Engine) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-6 working in the following location(s): Tupelo, MS
Major duties
As a Wildland Firefighter (GW-6), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an experienced wildland firefighter on an engine crew. Performs duties such as locating fireline, directing and participating in fireline construction, backfiring and burnout operations, engine operations, tree felling, and holding/patrol/mop-up operations. Drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation. Performs and directs others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. Ensures that necessary tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Only experience and education obtained by 08/24/2026 will be considered. 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. Minimum Qualifications: To qualify for a GW-6, you must meet at least one of the following: 1). One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-5 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include: On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools/equipment/vehicles and may include leading crewmembers. NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level. 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. These positions are TEMPORARY positions, and have no promotion potential. Physical Demands: This position requires arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: This position works in forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.
Before you apply
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