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Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

This position is no longer accepting applications(closed Aug 17, 2026).

Summary

Wildland firefighter on a helitack crew, loading helicopters, suppressing fires, and maintaining equipment in remote areas.

This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization. The purpose of the position is wildland fire suppression/management/control as a specialized firefighter with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of specialized tools or equipment.

Independently performs recurring fire suppression duties on a helitack crew as a senior firefighter.

Loads helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing, total weight, etc., and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site.

Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks.

May exit helicopter in remote areas to construct helispots, or to attack small fires, hot spots and spot fires.

May be certified in the use of long-line external loads and the operation and maintenance of accessory equipment.

May serve as a certified rappeller.

Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.

When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommend best approaches and practices to use in the protection of the values at risk

Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations.

Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment.

In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used effectively in suppressing the fire, the incumbent takes aggressive control action in attacking the fire, using other means.

Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression.

Participates in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fireline activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function assigned.

Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.

Serves as an experienced firefighter on helitack or other related fire suppression modules performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain.

May inventory fuel beds, prepare associated reports, perform hazard fuel reduction projects, monitor burning conditions, pile vegetation debris.

May act in assigned positions such as ignition or holding specialist or other designated positions during actual fuel reduction efforts by prescribed fire.

May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.

May assist higher level workers in forestry/range research efforts; in the marketing of forest/range resources; or in the scientific management, protection, and development of forest/range resources.

May be required to fill-in for other work leaders on established crews.

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing. Must be 18 years of age. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.gov. Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. This is a Test Designated Position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment. Must pass the appropriate level of the Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters. This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Successfully completed Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Successfully completed Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).

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