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Fire Hand Crew Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

$44K/yr

... hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact ...

$44K/yr

... hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact ...

$44K/yr

... hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact ...

Showing results 21-40

Fire Hand Crew information

See California salary details

$12

$18

$23

How much do fire hand crew jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for fire hand crew in California is $18.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire hand crew?

Fire Hand Crews are specialized teams of wildland firefighters trained to suppress and manage wildfires. They perform physically demanding tasks such as constructing fire lines, clearing vegetation, and conducting controlled burns to contain and extinguish fires. These crews typically work in remote, rugged areas and are essential for wildfire suppression and forest management. Members must be highly trained, physically fit, and able to work long hours under challenging conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by members of a fire hand crew, and how are they typically addressed on the job?

Fire Hand Crew members often face physically demanding conditions, long shifts, and exposure to extreme heat and smoke while working in remote locations. Teamwork and communication are crucial to ensure safety and efficiency, especially when constructing fire lines or conducting controlled burns. To address these challenges, crews participate in rigorous training, adhere to strict safety protocols, and rely on strong leadership and mutual support. Regular briefings and debriefings help crews adapt to changing fire behavior and terrain, ensuring both effectiveness and safety in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire hand crew member, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Hand Crew member, you need strong physical fitness, knowledge of wildfire behavior, basic firefighting training, and often certification such as the NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2). Familiarity with hand tools, chainsaws, fire shelters, and communication systems like radios is typically required. Teamwork, resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure safety, effective wildfire suppression, and efficient collaboration during high-stress and physically demanding situations.

What is the difference between Fire Hand Crew vs Firefighter?

AspectFire Hand CrewFirefighter
CertificationsBasic wildfire safety and equipment trainingAdvanced firefighting certifications, EMT/paramedic licenses often required
Work EnvironmentWildland fire zones, often remote and ruggedBoth wildland and structural fire scenes, including urban areas
Employer & Industry UsageFederal, state, and local agencies focusing on wildfire suppressionFire departments, emergency services, and wildfire agencies

Fire Hand Crews primarily focus on wildfire suppression in remote, rugged areas with basic firefighting skills. Firefighters have broader roles, including structural fire response and advanced medical aid. While both roles work in fire environments, firefighters typically require more certifications and handle a wider range of emergencies.

What do fire hand crew firefighters do?

Fire hand crew firefighters are trained personnel responsible for constructing, maintaining, and suppressing wildfires. They perform tasks such as creating firebreaks, clearing brush, and using tools like shovels, chainsaws, and drip torches, often working in challenging outdoor environments and requiring physical fitness and safety certifications.

What are popular job titles related to Fire Hand Crew jobs in California?

For Fire Hand Crew jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Fire Hand Crew jobs?

Cities in California with the most Fire Hand Crew job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Hand Crew job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,583 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Suppression)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Mammoth Lakes, CA

$44K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

457th of 857 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is located at USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Region 5
The purpose of these positions is wildland fire suppression/management/control, as a firefighter on an engine, hotshot, helitack or hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Brian Grabowski - brian.grabowski@usda.govQualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Experience Requirements:
For the GW-03 level: Applicants must have minimum six months experience of any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the Forestry Technician position, or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Forestry Technician occupation;
OR
Successful completion of a one (1)-year of related education or appropriate firefighting training may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighting training obtained as part of a high school curriculum-may be substituted for the six (6) months of general experience.
OR
an appropriate combination of education and experience.
Examples of qualifying general experience include: Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of a Wildland Firefighter, or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Wildland Firefighter occupation. Examples of general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; Fed and watered animals, such as in a laboratory, pet store, or zoo; Any work experience, paid or unpaid. Unpaid experience, for example, may be regular volunteer work, such as at a park, community sports league facilities, etc.
For the GW-04 level: Applicants must have minimum of six months of general experience (any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the Forestry Technician position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Forestry Technician occupation) AND six months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the Forestry Technician position;
OR
Successful completion of a two (2)-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study.
OR
An appropriate combination of education and experience.
Examples of qualifying general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities and/or worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants and/or animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store and/or volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Performed natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc.
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.
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.
For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.
WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Selective Placement Factor for Promotion to GW-5: This position has been identified as High Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training.
Additional Requirement for Promotion Eligibility to the Full Performance GW-05 grade level: Successfully complete the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) -AND- Successfully complete the NWCG Course S-290 Wildland Fire Behavior.Education:See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.Employment Type: OTHER

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