Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority

Summary

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-0456-03/04/05 Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service working in various locations. Not all locations may be hiring for all grades. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

Major Duties

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-03), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an entry level wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: hotshot Participates in fuels management and fire suppression duties under the direction of higher-graded firefighters by attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines May assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire, burnout, and chainsaw operations Receives on-the-job training, instruction, and orientation in activities such as maintenance of fire tools and equipment; managing risks and hazards; and safety protocols Participates in physical fitness programs As a Wildland Firefighter (GW-04), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a trained wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: hotshot May assist in specialized assignments such as tree felling, backfire, and burnout operations Performs portable pump operator duties such as pump site selection, set up, and operation Program and utilizes handheld and mobile radios to maintain communication 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-05), your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an experienced wildland firefighter on the following types of crews: hotshot Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up Serves as lookout and as directed, locates fireline and implements appropriate fireline construction methods necessary (e.g., mineral soil scrape, cup trenching, removal of ladder fuels) to stop fire spread, making adjustments based on terrain and other conditions and assessing escape routes and safety zones Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents As assigned, ensures proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, food, water, and other supplies Duty locations for these positions are: Flowood, Mississippi Sierra Vista, Arizona Zuni, New Mexico (Indian Preference Applies)

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).

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Direct Deposit Required. Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment (if claiming Indian Preference). For this announcement, Indian Preference (IP) will be applied to candidates that are interested in applying for positions in the following location ONLY: Zuni, New Mexico. 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.

Evaluations

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.

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/04/2026. 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.

Other 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, Indian Preference (IP) will be applied to candidates that are interested in applying for positions in the following location ONLY: Zuni, New Mexico These appointments are temporary and do not confer permanent status. They are limited to no more than 1,039 hours during a service year. Pending future approval, an appointment may be extended to a maximum of 1,386 hours without further competition, subject to the Agency's authority. No extension is currently authorized, and any future extension is contingent on additional authority and therefore not guaranteed. 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.

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