Department of the Interior

Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) - Airtanker Base

Grand Junction, Colorado, Boise, Idaho, Pocatello, Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho, Ashland, Montana, Billi Full time

Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) - Airtanker Base

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Grand Junction, Colorado, Boise, Idaho, Pocatello, Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho, Ashland, Montana, Billings, Montana, Jordan, Montana, Miles City, Montana, Roswell, New Mexico, Battle Mountain, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, Reno, Nevada, Wells, Nevada, Winnemucca, Nevada, Hines, Oregon, Camp Crook, South Dakota, Cedar City, Utah, Tooele, Utah, Casper, Wyoming, Rock Springs, Wyoming, Worland, Wyoming

Salary Range: $20.93 - $23.47 Per Hour

Job Summary: Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

Major Duties:

  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for temporary employees to work as Wildland Firefighters (Aviation). For more information on the Types of Crews, click here or view these videos. A Wildland Firefighter (GW-03 Aviation) serves as a crewmember at an airtanker base. Assists in directing aircraft /vehicle parking in assigned area. May monitor activities such as fueling and loading fire retardant chemicals, and performs tasks associated with risk management and safety. Assists with wildland fire chemicals and retardant loading into airtankers and maintaining airtanker base, aircraft ramp facilities, vehicles and equipment. A Wildland Firefighter (GW-04 Aviation) directs aircraft / vehicle movement, monitors activities such as fueling and loading fire retardant chemicals, and performs tasks associated with risk management and safety. Assists with loading of retardants into aircraft to meet contract and product specifications and limitations. Responsible for maintaining airtanker base, aircraft ramp, facilities, vehicles and equipment along with recording aircraft times on forms and documents pertinent activity in logs. Utilizes computer system to record information, produce reports and detailed documents as necessary. Locations for these positions are: Grand Junction, CO Boise, ID Pocatello, ID Twin Falls, ID Eastern Montana-Dakotas District (Miles City, Billings, Ashland, Jordan, MT / Camp Crook, SD)* Battle Mountain, NV Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV Wells, NV Winnemucca, NV Roswell, NM Hines, OR Cedar City, UT Tooele, UT Casper, WY Rock Springs, WY Worland, WY *NOTE: For district locations, applicants may be assigned to any of the locations listed for that district. During the application process, you may select up to SEVEN (7) locations from the list of available locations in this announcement. For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select the state you are interested in. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

Qualifications: Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume. ***Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples. To qualify for a GW-03 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). Six (6) months of general work experience or six (6) months of Firefighter training obtained as part of a high school curriculum (any firefighter training at the high school level and above), may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis.. General Experience can include: Any work experience or military service that demonstrates the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform, or learn to perform, the duties of the position. -OR- 2). One (1) year of education or training above high school related to the work of the position. -OR- 3). A combination of education and general work experience as described above. To qualify for a GW-04 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). Six (6) months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND six (6) months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work rescue operations detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards operation of fire communications equipment when it requires specialized knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires controlling hazardous materials incidents developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention -OR- 2). Successful completion of a 2-year course of study above high school, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or in other related fields. -OR- 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: Long irregular hours are required, much of it occurring during periods of fire operations. Frequent standing, walking and long periods outside in high temperatures and direct sunlight may be required while working around multiple arriving and departing aircraft. Activities in and around moving aircraft and other equipment require constant monitoring and alertness for hazardous conditions and safety of personnel. Work in an office environment and long periods of sedentary work occurs when reports and flight records are prepared. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment/materials and operating a variety of hand and power tools is required for base set-up, tear down, and maintenance/repair. Work Environment: Majority of activities are performed in an airbase environment, both inside and outdoors. Extreme variations in temperature and climactic conditions are common. Work requires use of safety equipment including hearing and eye protection and high visibility clothing. Exposed to irritant chemicals is possible. The work involves exposure to operating aircraft that result in high noise levels and exposure to turning propellers, prop wash, jet intake areas and jet-blast, and flying dust and debris. Concurrent movement of multiple mixed aircraft types and service vehicles in the ramp area creates potential for serious accident, injury, or property damage. Fatigue and mental stress could be present due to extensive work periods and emergency nature of work.

How to Apply: THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time by the closing date of the announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the DOI FIRES Program Office at blm_fa_fires@blm.gov or call our toll-free number at 888-364-6432. 1. Review the Vacancy Announcement and Eligibility Criteria: Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package. 2. Apply. Click the "APPLY" link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions. INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Videos showing how to apply for federal jobs can be found here: https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. Failure to follow these instructions in the announcement (resulting in insufficient information being provided with your resume / application) could result in an ineligible rating. Your 2-page resume MUST include the following information: - From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018) - Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. 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. - Grade level for each season and position that were in the federal service. - Complete Duties for each of the seasons and positions held. - References personal and professional 3. Submit your resume and supporting documentation ONLINE through USAJOBS. You also must complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. For detailed step-by-step instructions on How to Apply: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/index.php/apply. To verify the status of your application, please log into your USAJOBS account at: https://secure.login.gov/. For information on what each Application Status means: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical issues may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-06