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Forest Fire Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FOREST RANGER

Concord, NH · On-site

$25.96 - $41.77/hr

Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing ...

$47K - $71K/yr

The employee performs professional, multidisciplinary work in forestry, prescribed fire, and wildland fire management. The employee reports to the Director of Environmental Management, and serves as ...

Firefighter/Paramedic

Lake Forest, IL · On-site

$81K - $117K/yr

Join the Lake Forest Fire Department and become part of a team committed to excellence in service and innovation. With a major renovation of Station 1 underway, our newly expanded, state-of-the-art ...

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Forest Fire information

See salary details

$31K

$105.6K

$183K

How much do forest fire jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for forest fire in the United States is $105,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forest firefighter?

Forest firefighters, also known as wildland firefighters, are professionals trained to combat and manage fires that occur in forests, grasslands, and other wild areas. Their responsibilities include suppressing wildfires, creating fire lines, conducting controlled burns, and assisting in evacuation efforts to protect people, wildlife, and natural resources. Forest firefighters often work in challenging outdoor conditions and may use specialized equipment and techniques to control and prevent the spread of fires. They also participate in fire prevention education and post-fire recovery operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forest firefighter?

To thrive as a Forest Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, knowledge of fire behavior, and usually completion of specialized training programs such as S-130/S-190 Wildland Firefighter certification. Familiarity with fire suppression tools, GPS navigation, and communication systems is essential for effective operations. Teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are crucial soft skills in this high-risk environment. These capabilities are vital for protecting lives, property, and natural resources while ensuring safety during wildfire incidents.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in forest fire management, and how can they prepare for them?

Professionals in forest fire management often face unpredictable and rapidly changing conditions, including extreme weather, difficult terrain, and long hours during peak fire season. Effective teamwork, strong communication skills, and physical fitness are crucial for overcoming these challenges. Preparation involves regular training, staying up-to-date with the latest firefighting techniques, and maintaining readiness for deployment at short notice. Additionally, professionals must be adaptable and able to make quick decisions to ensure both personal safety and the protection of natural resources.

What is the difference between Forest Fire vs Firefighter?

AspectForest FireFirefighter
Primary RolePreventing, managing, and suppressing wildfires in forested areasResponding to various fires, including structural and wildfires, in different environments
Required CertificationsWildfire suppression training, firefighting certifications, possibly forestry or environmental trainingFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic licenses, rescue training
Work EnvironmentForests, wilderness areas, outdoor terrainsUrban, suburban, and rural areas, including buildings and outdoor scenes
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, forestry services, environmental organizationsFire departments, emergency services, government agencies

While both roles involve firefighting skills, a Forest Fire specialist focuses on wildfires in natural settings, requiring specific wildfire training. Firefighters handle a broader range of fire emergencies across various environments. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What do I need to become a forest fire fighter?

To become a forest firefighter, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and training in wildfire suppression techniques. Certifications such as Basic Wildland Firefighter Training and first aid are often required, along with the ability to work in challenging outdoor environments and irregular schedules.
More about Forest Fire jobs

What cities are hiring for Forest Fire jobs?

Cities with the most Forest Fire job openings:

What states have the most Forest Fire jobs?

States with the most job openings for Forest Fire jobs include:

Infographic showing various Forest Fire job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,577 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

FOREST RANGER

Concord, NH • On-site


State of New Hampshire
Public Administration • 5 - 10K employees

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 50 rated states

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by parents


$25.96 - $41.77/hr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Stateof New Hampshire Job Posting
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Forest & Lands - Forest Protection Bureau
172 Pembroke Road
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Forest Ranger
Position#MR035-FR I-III
$25.96/hour - $41.77/hour
*See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.
The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forest & Lands, Forest Protection Bureau, has a full-time vacancy for a Forest Ranger.
Summary:
Forest Ranger I: Under the supervision of higher-level Forest Ranger staff, performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.
Forest Ranger II: Performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Forest Ranger I:
Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.
Forest Ranger II:
Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.
Assists with the supervision of lower-level Forest Ranger staff to include providing training, giving instructions, reviewing work for accuracy and contributing to performance appraisals.
YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Forest Ranger I:
Education: Associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Experience: Two years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full-time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof.
License/Certification: See attached.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference will be given to qualifying candidates who have education and/or work experience across the three disciplines of forestry, fire science and criminal justice.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: For appointment consideration, Forest Ranger I applicants must successfully participate in a written examination. This examination measures possession of knowledge, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job performance by this class.
See attached for more special requirements.
For promotion from Forest Ranger I, to Forest Ranger II, employees must:
  1. Meet the minimum qualification requirements of Forest Ranger II.
  2. Meet Special Requirements #1 - 7 listed on the attached.
  3. Successfully complete the field training program for Forest Rangers.
  4. Receive satisfactory performance evaluations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant
  1. Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.

  1. Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.

  1. General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction-free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.

  1. Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.

  1. Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188-F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227-G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part-time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full-time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.

  1. Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.

  1. License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE: Additional information concerning the physical fitness and strength test, Forest Ranger certification, or police officer certification can be obtained from the Division of Forests and Lands, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Forest Ranger II:
Education: Associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Experience: Three years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof, with at least one (1) year of experience performing duties equivalent to a Forest Ranger I.
License/Certification: See attached.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: See attached.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant
  1. Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.

  1. Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.

  1. General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction-free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.

  1. Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.

  1. Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188-F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227-G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part-time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full-time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.

  1. Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.

  1. License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE: Additional information concerning the physical fitness and strength test, Forest Ranger certification, or police officer certification can be obtained from the Division of Forests and Lands, Department of Natural and Cultural Resource.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not lis


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