Fire Hire

Applying for the temporary workforce for the USFS takes some pre-planning.  Job Announcements are open for 14 days.  If applications are not submitted during the open and close dates in USAJobs your application will not be accepted.

If you would like to be notified on when positions open and close, fill out this form  Region 5 Wildland Firefighter Interest Form  and an email will be sent to you with a reminder to apply and what positions are open at that time.

Temporary Smokejumper Announcements open August 8 through August 22, 2025.

The California Smokejumpers are looking for a committed, hardworking, highly skilled workforce to suppress wildfires on National Forests located throughout California. 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.  The following positions will be available to apply for August 8 through August 22, 2025.

The following positions will be available:

Position Description                                                                                   Announcement

GW-5 Smokejumper                                                                            26-TEMPF2-R5-2PC035-5DH

GW-6 Smokejumper                                                                            26-TEMPF2-R5-2PC036-6DH

August 8, 2025 ─ Announcements open.  Click the announcement you are interested in, and it will bring you to the announcement in USAjobs.  

August 22, 2025 ─ Application deadline, 11:59 Eastern standard time.

September 26, 2024 – October 28, 2025 ─ Selections. Smokejumper representatives will make recommendations for hiring. Candidates selected will be notified by a Forest Service representative by phone. Those not selected should check your USAJOBS account for status updates. During the selection week 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.  During this time-period reference checks will occur. Please ensure your references are notified of this and they are available at the email address provided on your application.

April 2026 ─ Expected start date.

Tips for Applying

Start your profile in USAJOBS

It is highly recommended that you read and understand how to develop a resume and what is required on the resume when applying.  Many applicants do not make it through due to not having the required information on their resume. There are several tutorials and webinars available on how to apply for a job within the main webpage. It is recommended that you view them if you are unsure what is needed.

How to Build a Federal Resume | US Forest Service

Visit How to apply for a Forest Service Job for information on how to set up a profile in USA Jobs to Helpful Tips for applying.

Visit the Forest Service Hiring & Recruitment Events for upcoming webinars. Also, checkout the Hiring Events Calendar to find upcoming and past webinars to view.

To receive information about upcoming hiring events and webinars, please sign up for our Job Seeker Email Database.

Email Brian Grabowski at brian.grabowski@usda.gov or call 530-927-9135 if you would like more information on wildland fire positions within California.

If you would like updated information when positions open and close, fill out this form.   Region 5 Wildland Fire Interest Form 

Permanent Announcements open August 22 through September 23, 2025

The Pacific Southwest Region is looking for a committed, hardworking, highly skilled workforce to suppress wildfires and work in fuels management on 18 National Forests located in California. 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, airtanker base 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. This hiring process assists the national forests in the Pacific Southwestern Region to fill vacancies in a more efficient and timely manner.

This outreach is for GW-0462-03/04/05 Wildland Fire Apprentice Program (WFAP), GW-0462-03/04 with promotion potential to GW-0462-05 through GW-0462-10 and WG/WL-5716-8 & 10 current career permanent fulltime and permanent seasonal fire and fuels positions. The vacancy announcements for these positions are posted on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities at USAJobs. These will be regional and national vacancy announcements with opening and closing dates. The vacancy announcements will be open for applications on August 22, 2025. 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. 

The Certificates of Candidates for these positions will be issued to the selecting officials on or about October 28, 2025. All applicants who have applied to the announcements on or before the listed closing date and are found to meet basic qualifications will be referred for consideration. Please apply to any position and duty station you may be interested in as those positions may become vacant through the Fire Hire process; positions that become vacant during the hiring event will be immediately backfilled if possible. Applicants should check the status of their application during this time in their USA Jobs account. For questions regarding the potential process for backfill positions, please contact Brian Grabowski at brian.grabowski@usda.gov or 530-927-9135.

The following positions will be available:

August 22, 2025 ─ Announcements open.  Click the announcement you are interested in, and it will bring you to the announcement in USAjobs.  Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple locations (only where they would accept a position if offered).

September 23, 2025 ─ Application deadline, 11:59 Eastern standard time.

October 27, 2025 – November 14, 2025 ─ Interviews and reference checks will occur. Please ensure your references are notified of this and they are available at the email address provided on your application. 

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 your USAJOBS account for status updates. During the selection week 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.

For current Wildland Fire Position listings in Region 5 visit Current Wildland Fire positions in Region 5

Outreach Notices are available here Forest Service Outreach Database

Tips for Applying and Helpful Links

Start your profile in USAJOBS

It is highly recommended that you read and understand how to develop a resume and what is required on the resume when applying.  Many applicants do not make it through due to not having the required information on their resume. There are several tutorials and webinars available on how to apply for a job within the main webpage. It is recommended that you view this information if you are unsure what is needed.

How to Build a Federal Resume | US Forest Service

Application Tips and Webinars 

Forest Service Hiring & Recruitment Events 

Hiring Events Calendar

Job Seeker Email Database.

Email Brian Grabowski at brian.grabowski@usda.gov or call 530-927-9135 if you would like more information on wildland fire positions within California.

Student and Recent Grad Pathways Internships

Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program: The intent of the Program is to take a career entry firefighter and provide education, training and paid work experience over a 12 to 48 month period, depending on experience. Upon successful completion of all the requirements of the Apprenticeship Program, the apprentice will reach journey-level status as a wildland firefighter.

Training: Includes links to National and Regional Fire and Aviation Training Sites.

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program: Scholarships are awarded annually and must be used at one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Each award provides full tuition, as well as room and board, for the term of the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.

For any questions regarding the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, please contact:

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement 
USDA/1890 Programs
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0170
Washington, DC 20250
Telephone Number: (202) 720-6350
Fax Number: (202) 720-7704
Email

Wildland Firefighter Foundation: Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s main focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.