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Forest Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arizona State Hospital

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Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$14.33 - $20.53/hr

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona's people by ...

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Forest Firefighter information

See salary details

$31K

$48.9K

$69K

How much do forest firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for forest firefighter in the United States is $48,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $57,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Forest Firefighter vs Wildland Firefighter?

AspectForest FirefighterWildland Firefighter
Required CertificationsFirefighter I & II, CPR, First AidFirefighter I & II, Wildland Firefighting Certifications
Work EnvironmentForests, national parks, rural areasWildland terrains, forests, grasslands
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, forestry servicesFederal, state agencies, firefighting crews

Forest Firefighters and Wildland Firefighters share similar certifications and work environments, often operating in forested and rural areas. The main difference lies in terminology and specific job focus: Forest Firefighters may work in broader forest management, while Wildland Firefighters specialize in fighting wildfires in natural terrains. Both roles are vital in wildfire prevention and suppression, often overlapping in duties and training.

Is 30 too old to become a wildland firefighter?

Forest firefighter roles often have age limits, but many departments accept applicants up to their 30s or 40s if they meet physical fitness and training requirements. Experience, fitness, and certifications like wildfire suppression training are important factors, and older applicants can bring valuable skills to the job.

What Do Forest Firefighters Do?

A forest firefighter responds to fires in a forest area or helps throughout other regions with firefighting. Forest firefighters must maintain peak physical condition, know how to work through wildland, and be able to work as part of a team. Part of training is learning how to handle the equipment used during firefighting. In this career, you work with chemical and water pumps to put out flames. You regularly have to parachute into wildland to extinguish a fire and save anyone in the area. After extinguishing a fire, you must patrol the region to ensure there is no chance for the fire to reignite through hotspots.

What are forest firefighters?

Forest firefighters, also known as wildland firefighters, are trained professionals who respond to and suppress wildfires in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas. Their duties include controlling fires, protecting property and natural resources, and sometimes conducting controlled burns to prevent future fires. They work in physically demanding and often dangerous conditions, frequently in remote locations. Forest firefighters use specialized equipment and techniques to contain and extinguish fires, and they play a critical role in protecting the environment and public safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forest Firefighter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forest Firefighter, you need physical fitness, knowledge of fire behavior, and basic firefighting training, often supported by completion of wildland fire courses and certifications like the Red Card. Familiarity with tools such as chainsaws, pumps, hand tools, and GPS navigation systems is also essential. Strong teamwork, resilience under stress, and clear communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring personal safety, effective fire suppression, and coordinated emergency response in hazardous environments.

What are some common challenges faced by forest firefighters during wildfire season?

Forest firefighters often contend with unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing fire conditions. Long shifts, physical exhaustion, and exposure to smoke and heat are typical challenges. Teamwork is crucial, as firefighters must communicate effectively and coordinate closely with others to ensure safety and successful containment. Adapting quickly and maintaining situational awareness are key to overcoming the demanding and dynamic nature of wildfire response.
More about Forest Firefighter jobs
What cities are hiring for Forest Firefighter jobs? Cities with the most Forest Firefighter job openings:
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What states have the most Forest Firefighter jobs? States with the most job openings for Forest Firefighter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Forest Firefighter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Forest Firefighter jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Forest Firefighter jobs? For Forest Firefighter jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Forest Firefighter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forest Firefighter job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,932 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

Firefighter/Paramedic

City of Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest, IL • On-site

$81K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Salary: $81,316.00 - $117,600.00 Annually
Location : Public Safety Building; 255 W Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest, IL
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Fire Department
Opening Date: 01/22/2026
Description
NOW HIRING - THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAKE FOREST FIREFIGHTERS
*IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AVAILABLE*
Applications will be processed as they are received
NTN Testing Deadline: Due at time of application submittal
Do you have a passion for people and community? Are you innovative, adaptive, and dependable? Apply to be the next member of the Lake Forest Fire Department!
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 public safety building will double our operational space and elevate your training and work environment. If you're ready to make a difference in a community that values its first responders, apply today and help shape the future of public safety in Lake Forest.
To apply for our 2026 eligibility list, review the *There is no application fee*
Hiring Process
1. Written Exam: Complete the exam through the (NTN) which is due at time of application submittal.
• NTN requires a fee to take the exam. Candidates with financial hardship may request a voucher before registering for the exam by emailing HR@cityoflakeforest.com. Visit for fee subsidy details.
2. Spark Hire Interviews: Candidates who pass the written exam must also complete a one-way video interview within seven days after receiving the invitation.
3. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC) Interviews: Candidates who pass the Spark Hire interview will be invited for an in-person interview with the BFPC. Dates and times are to be determined.
4. Preference Points: Those passing the BFPC interview will be placed on a ranked Preliminary Eligibility List, at which point candidates may then apply for applicable preference points. Preference points must be claimed in writing, within 10 calendar days after posting of the Preliminary Eligibility List.
Examples of Duties
• Emergency Medical Service: respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the providing of emergency medical service to the public.
• Fire Response: respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the extinguishing fires.
• Public Engagement: perform public education activities by performing home surveys, fire station tours, fire drills, block parties, and demonstrations as assigned.
• Vehicle and Building Maintenance: perform custodial work and minor repairs on apparatus, vehicles, and buildings in a timely and complete manner.
• Certification: maintain Paramedic certification per Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.
• Continuous Training: participate in training related to firefighting methods, vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance, emergency medical operations, fire prevention activities, and other fire department activities.
Qualifications
Age: 21-35 years of age unless otherwise exempt by Illinois statute.
Citizenship: must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified as a "protected individual" pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B).
Driver's License: must possess or be able to obtain a valid class B non-CDL or equivalent driver's license.
Eyesight/Vision: must have corrected vision to least 20/25.
Education: at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Physical Ability: pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and Ladder Endorsement within 12 months prior to interview with Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. CPAT test results will remain valid within one year prior to this date. Visit http://www.nipsta.org/176/Firefighter-Testing to learn more.
Paramedic Certification: valid Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Paramedic (IDPH EMT-P) license by date of hire.
City Benefits Include:
  • BCBSIL PPO and HMO insurance options, Delta Dental, and VSP Vision Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick, Holidays, Emergency Leave, and Paternity Leave Available
  • Roth, 457 and RHS accounts through Mission Square
  • Pension funded by Illinois Article 4 Firefighters
  • Education Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs, Legal Shield and Norton LifeLock Discounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • 1x Salary Guaranteed Life Insurance for employee through Securian, Supplemental available for employee, spouse, and children
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