Wildland Firefighter (Helitack) - Direct Hire Authority

About the role

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference does not apply to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This Wildland Firefighter (Helitack) GW-0456-6 position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, working in Ft. Defiance, AZ Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, you will be in non-pay status when services are not needed due to lack of work, funds, or unforeseen circumstances. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Exclusive Use Helicopter Module Position Standards. This position has been categorized as a Fire Helicopter Squad Leader (FHSL) and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards prior to being placed into the position. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed the following qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or higher Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) or higher Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) or higher. S-290, "Intermediate Fire Behavior" Training course In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 06/22/2026 will be considered. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Minimum Qualification For the GW-06 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: on-the-line wildland fire experience as a senior wildland firefighter in forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression work, prescribed burning; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools, equipment, vehicles, and may include leading the work of crew personnel. Provided on-the-job training to personnel in use of wildland fire control equipment, methods and safety procedures. Performed technical specializations such as felling, saw repair and water handling. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veteran