Wildland Firefighter Job Description
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Fire Management Branch
DUTIES
The majority of the duties performed by a wildland firefighter are outdoors. Experiencing
elements of all four seasons is not uncommon. Depending upon where you are
stationed, you may experience all four seasons within a few days. Most duties are
related to prescribed burning, wildfire suppression, and fire preparedness. These duties
include serving as a firefighter or engine operator during prescribed burning and wildfire
suppression activities; conducting regular maintenance and repairs on various
equipment such as fire engines, tractors, mowers, chain saws, and hand tools; serving
as a crew member during fire break preparation which involves rock removal, mowing,
trimming, tree and brush removal. You may have the potential to assist other refuges as
well as other federal or state agencies throughout the nation with prescribed burning and
wildfire suppression. When not involved with fire related activities, you may provide
assistance in conducting natural resources related project work on behalf of the Fish and
Wildlife Service's many refuges throughout the country.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Each position is classed as an arduous fire position under the Interagency Wildfire
Qualifications Standards adopted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As a condition of
employment, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination (which the Service
will pay for). You will be required to achieve an arduous rating on the "Pack Test," which
requires you to walk 3 miles with a 45 pound backpack in 45 minutes or less. The Pack
Test is correlated to measures of aerobic and muscular fitness as well as performance in
field tasks such as working with hand tools or carrying loads over rough terrain. The
Pack Test will be administered when you first report for duty. If you cannot meet the
required fitness score for the Pack Test when it is initially administered, you must retake
the test within a two week period. In the event you are unable to meet and maintain the
fitness requirements you may be terminated in accordance with applicable personnel
regulations.
Most positions require working on an engine or hand crew. This will entail working with
as few as two individuals to as many as 20 individuals. Whether it is two or 20, it is
imperative that you can work well with others. Communication with others is a vital part
of the success of the job. Primary contacts are generally other crew members, crew
supervisors, and others in the wild land fire management organization.
Most seasonal positions work 40 hours per week, but part-time and "intermittent"
openings may be an option occasionally. Some positions require non-standard work
schedules such as four 10-hour days, ten days on and four days off, or other variations.
Early and late season employment is on an as-needed basis, depending on weather, fire
season, and budgets. A 40-hour week is not guaranteed during pre or post-season work.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
If selected for a fire position you will be expected to wear protective and safety
equipment. The government will supply most items - hard hat, leather gloves, fire
resistant clothing, backpack, tent, etc. However, you will need to purchase a GOOD pair