August 11, 2017 - The Forest Service will be hiring for the Wildland Firefighting Apprenticeship Program. The apprenticeship program will develop the knowledge and basic skills necessary to work as a wildland firefighter. Apprentices will complete 3,000 hours of on-the-job training. They will also complete a residential firefighting academy at the Wildland Fire Training Center in McClellan, California. Apprentices will be paid and all costs of training will be covered by the Forest Service. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will be in permanent GS-5 firefighter positions. 

Be an apprentice wildland firefighter and challenge yourself to new limits

Apply on USAJOBS

Starting on August 11 through August 25th the wildland fire apprentice positions will be posted on USAJOBS using these two vacancy announcements:

17-FIREFALL-WFAP-345DP - Forestry Aid GS-3 and Forestry Technician GS-4/5

17-FIREFALL-WFAP-5G - Forestry Technician GS-5

If you need additional information, please contact our Human Resource Management (HRM) Contact Center at (877) 372-7248, and press 2. The HRM Contact Center is available 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time), Monday through Friday.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Must be a US Citizen or US National
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Must possess and maintain a Valid Driver’s License
• Subject to negative drug test prior to entrance on duty
• If applying to a GS-5 position, must meet IFPM qualifications
• Position requires a Work Capacity Test (WCT)
• May require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Willing to live/work in remote locations
• Must meet Maximum Entry Age (MEA) requirements, ages 18-37*
• Primary firefighter retirement covered position

*Veterans and applicants eligible for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) may apply if they are older than 37. For more information, contact Human Resources Management at (877) 372-7248, Option 2.

Duties:

Performs various aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Driving engines to fire locations, frequently over unimproved roads. Starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. Loading 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. Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned. Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Duty Locations Available in the Following States:

• California
• Louisiana
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Washigton

View the complete list of duty locations and hiring points of contact for more information. 
Source: U.S. Forest Service