Wildland Firefighter (Multiple Crew Types) - Direct Hire Authority

About the role

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority.

This GW-0456-3/4/5 Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service working in various locations. You may select up to SEVEN locations. Not all locations may be hiring for all grades.

Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

What you will do

• For general information about the application process and temporary fire positions with the Department of the Interior, please visit our website.
• As a Wildland Firefighter (GW-3), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an entry level wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: Engine, Fuels, Helitack.
• Performs assignments such as developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology.
• May assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.
• As a Wildland Firefighter (GW-4), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a trained wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: Engine, Fuels, Helitack.
• May assist in specialized assignments such as tree felling, backfire, and burnout operations.
• Utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildland fires.
• May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.
• As a Wildland Firefighter (GW-5), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an experienced wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: Engine, Fuels, Helitack.
• Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment (if claiming Indian Preference).
• For this announcement, only the Horton, Kansas location is open for Indian Preference (IP) Eligibility.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties.
• Selectee may need to hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout their employment in this position.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• To verify registration visit sss.gov.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• Subject to frequent extended particularly during fire season, and you may need to obtain a government charge card for travel.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name.

If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

How you will be evaluated

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible.

All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine if you are minimally qualified for the position.

If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement.

Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All minimally qualified candidates will be referred for consideration. Please note that the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.

The competencies below provide an overview of what this position entails once encumbered: Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management.

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform one's job; works with understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Leadership: Inspires, motivates and guides others toward goal accomplishment; coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations; models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.

Documents you must provide

• You must submit a complete application package.
• The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/21/2026.
• Resume which includes a list of all positions held, detailed descriptions of duties performed, dates of employment in month/year to month/year format, and a work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for each position.
• One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time).
• Part-time hours are prorated.
• You will not receive any credit for a position listed that does not indicate hours per week.
• Complete Assessments Questionnaire.
• Transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
• For more information, see the Education section.
• BIA Form 4432: Verification of Indian Preference (if claiming preference).
• Note, this is the only form accepted for verification.
• Failure to supply documentation will result in ineligibility of preference.
• Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP): If you are applying under I/CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal.
• To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements).
• Do not submit photographs with your application package.
• Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
• Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

What to expect next

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated. Many similar positions are advertised by various offices.

You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration.

Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between sites depending on funding and weather conditions.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.

Additional information

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 USC 5116 (reclassified from 472)). Verification Form BIA 4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. For this announcement, only the location Horton, KS is open to Indian Preference (IP) eligibles.

Non-Indian Preference eligibles will only be considered once there are no remaining IP eligibles. This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at any time without notification. Pay rates vary depending on location.

For additional information on pay rates: Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy.

These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed.

To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. For more information visit: ***