This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position. To learn more about Direct-Hire authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information: Direct Hire Fact Sheet
This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a Lead Wildland Firefighter. Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/. The maximum age is 37 (except for veterans preference eligibles). Individuals must be selected for these positions prior to their 37th birthday. Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job. Only experience and education obtained by 08/18/2025 will be considered. ***Your resume MUST include BEGINNING and END DATES specified in MONTH/YEAR to MONTH/YEAR format. In addition, your resume MUST reflect FULL-TIME/PART-TIME or total number of HOURS worked per week*** Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You may qualify at the GW-08 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements: One year of specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to at least the GW-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: exercising leadership for and executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire. This position is subject to the qualifications and additional required training specified in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Qualifications Standards and Guide. NWCG Incident Management Qualifications: In addition to the specialized experience above, you must have the qualifications described below: Primary Core Requirement: ENGB (Engine Boss) AND Secondary Core Requirement: ICT4 (Incident Commander, Type 4) (You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing dated of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified). 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.
Leads three or more regularly assigned firefighters and may provide situational leadership for additional firefighters based on the fire assignment. The Lead Wildland Firefighter is responsible to the supervisor for ensuring that the work assignments are carried out by performing the work as described. Oversees wildland fire module or crew in fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities, applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management work to: 1) mentor and instruct lower graded employees on crewmember duties; 2) plan action and direct utilization of fireline resources on less complex fires; and 3) for more complex fires, 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. Adjusts actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness. Engine: Drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation. Performs/conducts engine operations techniques, including tandem operations, mobile attack, pump and roll, firing and holding operations, stationary attack, engine protection, simple and progressive hoselays. Ensures adequate supply of water and chemical agents are maintained to the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fireline. Locates water sources and checks for volume and cleanliness for engine resupply. Performs specialized duties such as water handling specialist or maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations. Crews: Identifies lookout locations and assigns lookout. Scouts fireline in critical areas and patrols fireline for spot fires and slop overs, leading fireline construction implementation and determining adjustments based on current conditions. Reassesses and adjusts escape routes and safety zones. Directs water handling logistics and operations for crew (e.g., portable pumps, hoses, fold-a-tanks). Leads mop-up and suppression repair efforts on assigned portion of line. Gathers intelligence, independently scouts and assesses fuels, and leads suppression crews. Leads and assesses complex tree felling operations. Helitack: Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter operations in support of mission requests. Directs aviation and briefs pilots, contract personnel, and crews on mission requirements. Provides radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighter and navigates with use of maps. Directs aviation safety processes in coordination with pilot. Ensures aircraft tracking procedures are in place and followed. May serve as a rappeller, short hauler, or spotter. Directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex 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.