An official website of the
United States government
Here's
how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
The Great Northern Fire Crew is a Type 2 IA Handcrew on the Flathead National Forest.
The primary mission of the crew is national wildland fire support and the crew is frequently off-forest throughout the summer season. While not on fire assignments, the crew supports the Swan Lake Ranger Station and greater Flathead National Forest on various fuels projects.
The crew is stationed out of Bigfork, MT.
Check out more by clicking on the tabs to the left to find out if the Great Northern Crew would be a perfect fit for you and your career goals!
The crew values experience and diversity while providing a training platform for firefighters and future leaders in fire management. The crew maintains positive interagency relationships throughout R-1 that are critical to supporting this mission.
Great Northern is supervised by the Fire Management Organization on the Swan Lake Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest. Being part of a large fire organization on the Flathead National Forest provides the crew with opportunities that include collaborating with other forest resources such as engines, helicopters, fire use modules, and the Flathead Hotshots.
Additionally, GNFC is relied upon to assist in prescribed fire operations on the Flathead. Other field work assignments consist of thinning, piling, hazardous tree removal, trail maintenance and other district support.
To maintain a highly professional, cohesive, and resilient fire crew that trains for and responds to wildland fires, implements prescribed fire and hazardous fuels reduction, and manages risk utilizing strategies and tactics to reduce exposure to firefighters while protecting high value assets and resources.
Plan early to apply. Read the below information and get your resume and application materials up-to-date and in USAJobs before the application period opens. Contact us and let us know you are interested so you get updates on hiring dates!
2024 Fire Season Hiring Announcement
The job application period for both permanent and temporary fire positions are closed for the 2024 fire season.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining the Great Northern Fire Crew, reach out to current leadership. Please note that hiring is done through USAJobs
The application window for permanent positions typically occurs in September/October. The application window for temporary positions typically occurs in October/November. The duty location is Bigfork, MT.
We encourage you to reach out to us for opportunities to join us for an assignment throughout the season as a fill-in crewmember, provided that your home unit supervisor approves. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you and vice versa.
Get Ready Early With USAJobs
All applications must be submitted in USAJobs. USAJobs is an on-line application process where you create a personal profile and then apply for various Job Opportunity Announcements (JOA). The JOA's for applying to Great Northern are usually available on USAJobs in early October and only open to receive applications for 7-10 calendar days. Potential candidates must apply in this window to the correct JOA and identify Bigfork, MT as a desired duty location to be considered as a potential crew member for the upcoming wildfire season.
Individuals interested in GNFC positions are encouraged to create an applicant profile now, build a resume in USAJobs as soon as practical and have all associated pertinent job documentation uploaded before the JOA become available.
Creating Your Resume
Good resumes show full job histories, have supervisor and reference contact information, specific dates (month and year) for federal work, GS level if applicable, and describe what you did for every job. Remember show that you have the experience to qualify for the job and give yourself credit for what you have accomplished!
Let Us Know You Are Interested!
E-mail us:
your complete contact information
a short paragraph regarding who you are and why you are interested in joining Great Northern
attach a completed resume
By doing this your chances of being considered for joining GNFC increase and your information will be added to the list of potential candidates who will be provided updated information on when and what JOA to apply for.
We wish you good fortune and success in the application and selection processes!
If you are serious about getting into a wildland fire program, you should already be working diligently towards your physical training and conditioning. If selected, you are expected to show up in outstanding physical shape to safely handle the challenges of the job, both physically and mentally.
You can never be too fit for wildland firefighting!
At a minimum you should work on your strength and cardiovascular conditioning with exercises including:
Weight training
Push-ups
Pull-ups
Burpees
Sit-ups
Squats
Lunges
Combination of running and hiking
You may want to consult a physician prior to beginning a fitness regime.
As a condition of hire in your new position, you will be required to pass the Work Capacity Test at the arduous level. The WCT will be conducted, as a crew, upon your arrival. The WCT is a level 3 mile course, wearing a 45lb pack, and must be completed in under 45 minutes. You will also receive a Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) prior to your start date.
The Great Northern Fire Crew will be available to fight fires throughout the nation in all kinds of environments. Our fires in the West are typically in steep, mountainous terrain at high altitudes and under varying climatic conditions. You need to be preparing your body and mind to be able to handle work long hard shifts in these types of environments. If you would like more information on the types of fitness training that you should be considering, you may contact us for further suggestions.
As a temporary (1039) employee of the Great Northern, your individual roles may vary based on your experience, knowledge, and skills. The first few weeks of the season is often referred to as critical training. This period of time will largely be consumed with course room and field training in order for supervisors to evaluate the individual and collective abilities of the crew.
Upon the successful conclusion of critical training, the Great Northern Fire Crew will be available for assignment nationally. The crew may be dispatched to a variety of incidents including: wildland fire, flood relief, hurricane relief, and other natural disasters. While awaiting assignment, the GNC will occupy its time performing field work to hone skills and provide formal and informal training throughout the Flathead National Forest and Northern Rockies Region. Field work and training assignments include: hazardous fuels mitigation, prescribed fire, and advanced course room instruction.
Bigfork, MT is a community of about 1,500 located about a 20-mile drive south of Kalispell in the Flathead Valley. Approximately 100,000 people live in the Flathead Valley area.
Housing is limited, but may be available at the bunkhouse.
Housing
Housing may be available through the Swan Lake Ranger District bunkhouses at a daily rate. A rental agreement and acceptance of the Swan Lake Ranger District's occupant policy is required. Housing throughout the Swan River Valley is very limited with Seeley Lake offering the most inventory
The Great Northern Fire Crew is stationed out Bigfork, MT.
In the Flathead Valley, you can discover colorful boutiques and distinguished dining behind 100-year old storefronts in an energetic downtown. Share morning turns with neighbors in knee-deep powder before an afternoon tee time at one of our nine world-class golf courses. Get lost in our 2.3 million acres of federally protected public land, sharing the space only with resident moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and other abundant wildlife. According to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Kalispell, Montana is the scenic capital of Northwest Montana, the heart of the Flathead Valley, and where adventure meets opportunity. Surrounded by incredible vistas of Glacier National Park, the Whitefish, Swan, and Mission Mountain Ranges, and the largest freshwater lake in the West, our residents have plenty of elbow room and the best backyard in the country. The largest city inside Flathead County’s sprawling 5,000 square miles, we are a progressive, thriving community with a diverse economy, deeply rooted history, and where many consider to be the last best place.
The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce describes Bigfork as located at an altitude of 2,900 feet in the spectacular mountains of northwestern Montana, the town of Bigfork hugs a sparkling blue bay where the swift waters of the Swan River flow into Flathead Lake. The town of Bigfork is a picturesque and charming place, world class art galleries, fine restaurants, a 27-hole golf course, live theatre, and unique shops can all be found within a quint western setting.
Located near-by, Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall and Mission Mountains Wilderness areas are full of wildlife and offer endless recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Chosen as “One of the 50 Great Towns of the West” and designated as “One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns of the Nation,” Bigfork offers you and your family a part of the West that you will never forget.”
Bigfork is a community of about 1,500 located about a 20-mile drive south of Kalispell in the Flathead Valley. Approximately 100,000 people live in the Flathead Valley area.
Discover more about Kalispell and Bigfork, Montana:
The Great Northern Fire Crew is a Type 2 IA Handcrew on the Flathead National Forest.
In the Flathead Valley, you can discover colorful boutiques and distinguished dining behind 100-year old storefronts in an energetic downtown. Share morning turns with neighbors in knee-deep powder before an afternoon tee time at one of our nine world-class golf courses. Get lost in our 2.3 million acres of federally protected public land, sharing the space only with resident moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and other abundant wildlife. According to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Kalispell, Montana is the scenic capital of Northwest Montana, the heart of the Flathead Valley, and where adventure meets opportunity. Surrounded by incredible vistas of Glacier National Park, the Whitefish, Swan, and Mission Mountain Ranges, and the largest freshwater lake in the West, our residents have plenty of elbow room and the best backyard in the country. The largest city inside Flathead County’s sprawling 5,000 square miles, we are a progressive, thriving community with a diverse economy, deeply rooted history, and where many consider to be the last best place.
