Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Crater Lake National Park (Crater Lake, OR); North Cascades National Park (Marblemount, WA); Yosemite National Park (Yosemite, CA)
Salary: $66,948-$87,038/year
Application Due Date: July 22, 2025
Job Description:
National Park Service Wildland Fire and Aviation Management
Incumbent is the Lead Wildland Firefighter and member of a wildland fire module or crew, exercising leadership for and executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire; Work also includes all hazard and emergency response activities.
There are a total of three positions being filled, one in each of the following areas:
One position located in Crater Lake National Park; duty location Crater Lake, OR. This position is covered under the RUS pay table: RUS pay table. For additional questions about this location please contact either John Harwood at John_Harwood@nps.gov or Phil Heitzke at phillip_heitzke@nps.gov.
One position located in North Cascades National Park; duty location Marblemount, WA. This position is covered under the Seattle/Tacoma pay table: Seattle/Tacoma pay table. For additional questions about this location please contact Matt Ellis at matt_ellis@nps.gov.
One position located in Yosemite National Park; duty location Yosemite, CA. This position is covered under the Fresno pay table: Fresno pay table. For additional questions about this location please contact Russ Mitchell at Russell_Mitchell@nps.gov.
Duties:
Mentor and instruct lower graded employees on crewmember duties.
Plan action and direct utilization of fireline resources on less complex fires.
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.
Uses firing devices on a firing operation according to the ignition/firing plan (verbal or written). Coordinates with aircraft for aviation support missions. Coordinates module or crew logistics and places caches of equipment and supplies at strategic points.
Operates, moves, inspects, and performs preventative maintenance on vehicles and equipment to include crew carriers, fire engines, command vehicles, pickups, and other specialized equipment. Uses judgment to safely operate, maneuver, and set up vehicles and equipment in a variety of environments including urban, grassland, and mountainous terrain. Ensures adherence to vehicle safety procedures when transporting personnel, fuel, and equipment, considering bridge and road limits, equipment weight and length, and weather effects.
Conditions of Employment:
U.S. Citizenship required.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
This is a Test Designated Position. 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.
A selectee receiving a first appointment is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected.
Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Fire Program Management (FPM) positions.
Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and pass a medical examination given by an authorized government physician.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Must be 18 years of age at time of close date of announcement.
Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.
If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
You will be required to operate a government motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service fire uniform standards.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 nights a month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
Incumbent will be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Qualifications:
This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard. This position requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
GS-08:
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Implemented safety/training programs in compliance with Incident Command System, fire suppression, fire line construction, hose lays and maintenance of protective equipment, assisting with prescribed fire management; developed burn plans and/or fuels inventory/preparation and disposal; evaluated initial fire situations; determined suppression method and probable causes of fire; assisted with property and procurement of equipment ensuring the engine and fire equipment have been kept in full state of readiness for emergency dispatch.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS:
Successful completion and have currency in the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of:
Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) AND
Crew Boss (CRWB) AND
Firing Boss (FIRB) AND
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements:
Under age 37 -OR-
Less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR-
A veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.
This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.
WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a "condition of employment." The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
See the “Learn More” link below for more information.
