Fire Employment

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is looking for a committed, hardworking, highly skilled workforce to suppress wildfires and work in fuels management. The fire and aviation management program is very rewarding and requires talented people working safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions, including dispatch, engine crews, fire & fuels management, hand crews, helitack, interagency hotshot crews, dozers, and prevention. The Fire Hire program is being implemented to streamline the hiring process for permanent fire positions and provide consistent hiring around the Region and throughout the agency. 

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest spans across six counties in northern California. There are 2.2 million acres within its boundaries. Popular features of our forest include Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake; the Trinity River; Mount Shasta; the Upper, Lower and Middle McCloud Falls; and the Trinity Alps, Castle Crags, Chanchelulla, Mount Shasta and Yolla Bolla-Middle Eel Wilderness Areas.

The Forest Headquarters Supervisor’s Office is located in Redding, CA, the county seat for Shasta County. Our ranger districts are the Weaverville, Hayfork, Yolla Bolla and Big Bar Ranger Districts; the Shasta Lake Ranger District; and the Mount Shasta and McCloud Ranger Districts.

List of Current Openings Below Module Descriptions

Shasta-Trinity Module Descriptions

Helitack Crews

These firefighters are transported by helicopters to wildfires. They provide initial attack, facilitate arrival of additional personnel, and deploy the helicopter water bucket.

Hotshot Crews

These intensively-trained, organized fire crews travel throughout the country to suppress wildfires with hand tools and firing operations.

Engine Crews

These firefighters drive engines to fire locations, frequently via unimproved roads, and position engines in appropriate locations, considering the safety of the crew and equipment and how the equipment can best be used in control and mop-up operations.

Dispatchers

Our dispatchers receive reports of wildfire and mobilize firefighters in response. Dispatchers also provide supplies and equipment to further support firefighters during a wildfire incident.

Wildland Firefighters

Wildland Firefighters are involved with wildland fire suppression/ management/ control working on an engine, helitack module, or hand crew with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of specialized tools or equipment. Other wildland fire related duties may involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning. Wildland firefighters may be required to work long hours in challenging and changing conditions, such as high temperatures and steep terrain. 

Fuels

Fuels Technicians spend most of the time outdoors, collecting data, cutting and piling trees and brush, and setting prescribed fires to eliminate excess fuels. Prescribed Fire/Fuels Specialists are responsible for the development of long-term strategic plans for the treatment of fuels using fire, mechanical, and chemical methods.

Tanker Base

Personnel at our tanker base mobilize and load aircraft with fire retardant, as well as provide safety and incident information to pilots for aerial retardant delivery. This also includes personnel who manage aircraft resources, which are critical in managing wildland fire from the sky.

Phase 1 Fire Hire - Process and Timeline

Those who wish to be considered for these positions in the Fall Fire Hire event must apply to the vacancy announcements by the closing date of September 23, 2025.

August 1, 2025 ─ Outreach begins.

August 22, 2025 ─ Vacancy announcements will be activated in USAJobs.

September 23, 2025 ─ Application deadline, 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Apply through www.usajobs.gov. Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple locations (only where they would accept a position if offered), even if positions for certain locations in which you are interested are not listed as vacant. Vacancies may occur during the hiring process and could be filled during Selection Week.

October 28 – November 14, 2025 ─ Supervisory Reference Checks will occur these weeks. Please ensure your references are notified of this and they are available at the email address (preferred), or phone number provided on your application.

November 11 – 21, 2025 ─ Interviews for GW/WL/WG-10, GW-9 and all Supervisory positions will begin.

November 12 – December 18, 2025 ─ Selections. Representatives from each forest will make recommendations for hiring. Candidates selected will be notified by a Forest Service representative by phone. Those not selected should check their USAjobs account for status updates. During the selection weeks candidates will be given 4 hours to respond to voicemails or emails from the recommending officials. It is highly encouraged to be available via phone during this time.

Early-March 2026 ─ First possible effective date.

Note: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service – Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met at the time of selection. 

If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS record or signed certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to final verbal offer.

A current copy of your IQCS Master Record will be required for most positions in this outreach because of these qualification requirements.

Current Openings on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Supervisor’s Office

For technical questions regarding the above positions, contact Ira Graves at Ira.graves@usda.gov

Yolla Bolla and Hayfork Ranger Districts

For technical questions regarding the above positions, contact Mike Anderson at mike.anderson@usda.gov

Big Bar and Weaverville Ranger Districts

For technical questions regarding the above positions, contact Tim Ritchey at timothy.ritchey@usda.gov

Shasta Lake Ranger District

For technical questions regarding the above positions, contact Pat Bell at patrick.bell@usda.gov

Mount Shasta and McCloud Ranger Districts

For technical questions regarding the above positions, contact Drew Graham at drew.graham@usda.gov 

Information on Potential Backfill Positions

The positions listed below are agency openings available nationally. Some of these positions may be open at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

ADFMO (Battalion Chief) Positions

Fuels Positions

Dispatch Positions

Engine Company Positions

Helitack Crew Positions

Interagency Hotshot Crew Positions

Prevention Positions

Airtanker Base Positions

Dozer/Fuels Equipment Positions

How to get a Wildland Fire Job with the U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service advertises open positions using USAJOBS, the federal government's website for listing job opportunities (called vacancy announcements) with federal agencies. USAJOBS requires setting up a user profile and allows applicants to create a resume directly in the system, upload required documents and store this information for multiple applications. You must apply to each individual vacancy announcement if you are interested. Please read each vacancy announcement carefully; each position has specific requirements you must meet to qualify and documents you must provide. If you have never used USAJOBS before, it is highly recommended that you view our How to Apply | US Forest Service (usda.gov).

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age

U.S. citizen

Have high school diploma or GED

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service Office

To verify you are registered visit: Verify Registration | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)

Selectees must meet the arduous fitness level and complete a Work Capacity Test (WCT)

Fitness

Wildland firefighting is a physically demanding job and there is an arduous fitness requirement for employment. All candidates are required to conduct a Work Capacity Test (also known as a "Pack Test"), requiring one to walk 3 miles in 45 minutes or less wearing a 45-pound pack.

Many crews will be expected to hike several miles to the fire and begin to dig line or remove fuels (wood and timber) immediately. The physical endurance required is significant and you should be well prepared to work all day and night under hazardous conditions. Watch a video to learn more about what participants can do to prepare for the Work Capacity Test.

Begin training before you report for work. Start by walking, training for the test level you will need to pass for the duties you will be required to perform. Start training without a pack and gradually increase distance and for arduous and moderate duty, begin carrying appropriate weight. Increase the weight until you can meet the requirements for arduous or moderate duty.

Salary

Federal employees are paid based on the grade level identified in their position description. For example, a firefighter on a hand crew usually is paid at the GS-03, GS-04 or GS-05 level depending on qualifications, experience and prior federal service. The grade level(s) and pay rate will be shown on the individual vacancy announcement in USAJobs . This is the base pay rate; depending on the situation, other premium pay (such as overtime, night differential, hazardous duty pay, etc.) may be earned.

Check the current year Salary and Wage Guidelines published by the Office of Personnel Management.

Types of Appointments (term of employment and work schedule)

Administratively Determined/Emergency Firefighter (AD/EFF)

These positions are typically only used for specific incidents or fires and are “on call” in nature. AD employees are not salaried. AD employees are paid a flat hourly rate and taxes are not deducted from the paycheck, so the AD employee is responsible for reporting this income.

Temporary Seasonal Positions (Up to six months of work)

Temporary seasonal positions are just that - temporary and seasonal. The work is full time (40 hours or more per week), but employees in these types of positions can only work 6 months in a row.

Career Seasonal Positions (six to 12 months of work)

Career seasonal positions are the same as permanent full-time jobs in the federal government and carry the same full benefits package, except employees may not work year-round depending on the needs of the agency.

Permanent Full-time positions

Permanent Full-time positions Permanent full-time positions work 40+ hours per week, 52 weeks per year.