Fire Dispatch Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority

This Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatching) (Assistant Dispatch Center Manager) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-9 working in the following location(s):

• Bishop, California
• Porterville, California

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.

This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal Government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE for incumbents of this position.
Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either:

• At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; OR
• At least 14 days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive).

Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume.
Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as an Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher/Assistant Center Manager and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM). To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):

• Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD)

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required.

Only experience and education obtained by 07/20/2026 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
If you are current or former federal employee who held a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-7 grade level. Examples of relevant work experience include: Performing wildland fire dispatch operations; processing resource orders; mobilizing and demobilizing personnel, equipment, supplies, and aviation resources; maintaining incident information and resource status; collecting and disseminating weather and intelligence information; providing support to wildland fire, prescribed fire, aviation, and all-hazard incidents; utilizing dispatch and incident management systems; assisting with workforce scheduling and staffing coordination; and troubleshooting routine computer, telecommunications, software, and network connectivity issues affecting dispatch center operations.
If you have never been a federal employee or are not currently serving in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-8 grade level. Examples of relevant work experience include: Coordinating, directing, or evaluating wildland fire dispatch operations; providing technical guidance, training, or leadership to dispatch personnel; managing resource mobilization and demobilization activities; coordinating aviation operations; developing or implementing dispatch operating procedures, mobilization guides, and preparedness plans; developing, coordinating, or administering employee work schedules and staffing plans to ensure operational readiness; analyzing operational information to support incident decision-making; troubleshooting and resolving technical issues involving dispatch systems, telecommunications equipment, computer hardware and software, radio systems, and network connectivity; and collaborating with multiple agencies and cooperators to support emergency response activities.

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.

Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

Physical Demands: The work involves long hours of sitting, intense concentration, and working at peak proficiency/intensity levels with irregular breaks and mealtimes. Must be able to cope with the pressure of meeting timeframes and changing priorities. Mental concentration and accuracy are required. Vehicle and aircraft travel associated with field visits and other administrative travel may be required. Ability to remain calm under urgent and frequently changing conditions.
Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in an office setting. During peak activity, increased radio traffic, numerous ringing phones, and conversations result in high noise levels, which require a high level of concentration to perform duties. The duties of this position create a highly stressful environment during peak activity, requiring the ability to keep calm in emergency situations.