Wildland Firefighter

Wildland Firefighter Duties

As a Wildland Firefighter your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

GW-03 grade level:

• Work with higher-graded firefighters and receives on-the-job training, instruction, and orientation in preventionand preparedness activities.
• Participate in fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities under the direction of higher-graded firefighters.
• Receive training (formal and on-the-job experience) in the fundamental procedures and techniques of wildland fire management work.

GW-04 grade level:

• Apply an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management work to implement tactical directions on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires.
• Perform wildland fire equipment and engine support operations by conducting and assisting with chainsaw work; selecting, setting up, and operating portable pumps; running engine pumps and deploying hoselays; completing preventative engine maintenance checks and effectively applying water and additives; and positioning caches of equipment and supplies at strategic locations.
• Maintain equipment and various hand tools such as shovels, chainsaws, Pulaskis, McLeods, water hose, and backpack pumps.

GW-05 grade level:

• Apply an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management work to recommend and implement tactical directions.
• Lead less-complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex projects that include gathering data for and carrying out prescribed fire.
• Execute fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire. Fire modules or crews include Hand Crews, Engine Crews, and Helitack Crews.

Probationary Period:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. The probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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