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Hand Crew Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Firefighter / Fire Engineer

Brevard, NC · On-site

$17.55 - $18.71/hr

Description An employee in this class serves as a member of a crew responding to fire calls ... Utilizes specialized hand-and power-tools in rescuing victims in fire, disaster and other ...

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Hand Crew Firefighter information

See salary details

$28.5K

$59.6K

$100K

How much do hand crew firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for hand crew firefighter in the United States is $59,606.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Hand Crew Firefighters?

Hand Crew Firefighters are specially trained wildland firefighters who work in teams to suppress wildfires. They use hand tools, such as shovels, axes, and chainsaws, to create firebreaks, remove fuel, and control the spread of fires, often in rugged and remote terrain. Hand crews are essential for containing wildfires, as they perform physically demanding tasks under challenging conditions, sometimes for long hours. Their work is critical in protecting lives, property, and natural resources from fire damage.

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

To thrive as a Hand Crew Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, knowledge of wildfire suppression techniques, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with tools like chainsaws, shovels, and fire shelters, as well as certifications such as the Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), are typically required. Teamwork, resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this high-stress environment. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safety, effective coordination, and successful wildfire containment in hazardous conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by Hand Crew Firefighters during wildfire assignments?

Hand Crew Firefighters often work in physically demanding and rapidly changing environments, which can present challenges such as long shifts, exposure to extreme weather, and rugged terrain. Team members must remain alert and adaptable as fire behavior can change quickly, requiring constant communication and coordination. Additionally, they may need to hike long distances carrying heavy gear, and manage fatigue while maintaining safety protocols. These challenges make teamwork, resilience, and strong situational awareness essential for success.

What is the difference between Hand Crew Firefighter vs Wildland Firefighter?

AspectHand Crew FirefighterWildland Firefighter
CertificationsFirefighter 1, S-130, S-190, First Aid/CPRFirefighter 1, S-130, S-190, First Aid/CPR
Work EnvironmentTeam-based, on-the-ground fire suppression, often in remote areasSimilar, involved in fire suppression in wildland areas
Employer & IndustryFederal, state, or local fire agencies; wildfire suppressionFederal, state, or local agencies; wildfire response

Both Hand Crew Firefighters and Wildland Firefighters share similar certifications, work environments, and industry usage. The main difference is that Hand Crew Firefighters typically work as part of specialized hand crews focused on fire line construction, suppression, and containment, whereas Wildland Firefighters may have broader roles including initial attack and support tasks. Both roles are essential in wildfire management and require similar training and qualifications.

More about Hand Crew Firefighter jobs
What cities are hiring for Hand Crew Firefighter jobs? Cities with the most Hand Crew Firefighter job openings:
What states have the most Hand Crew Firefighter jobs? States with the most job openings for Hand Crew Firefighter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hand Crew Firefighter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hand Crew Firefighter jobs are:
Infographic showing various Hand Crew Firefighter job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $59,606 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) 'Logistics Coordinator'

Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) 'Logistics Coordinator'

US Department of the Interior

Boise, ID • On-site

$57K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

299th of 645 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

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

This Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) 'Logistics Coordinator' position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0462-6/7/8 working in Boise, ID at the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC).

This is a Career-Seasonal appointment, see "Qualifications" section for more details.

Qualifications:

This is a career seasonal position. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months, but less than 12 months per calendar year. When work and/or funds are unavailable, you will be placed into non-pay status. Pay status may be less than 6 months during initial appointment.
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.

  • Prior on-the-line firefighting: This experience must be clearly documented in your resume with specific to and from dates, description of work performed, and hours worked per week in order to be considered.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. 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.

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

Only experience and education obtained by 06/04/2026 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

To qualify for the GW-06 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW/GS-05 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: experience assisting others in determining the most efficient and cost effective method for mobilization; implementing direction from the Supervisor on duty for the mobilization and demobilization strategies of fire resources either in a dispatch setting or as a firefighter in the field.
To qualify for the GW-07 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW/GS-06 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: experience in determining the most efficient and cost effective method for mobilization; assistance in developing mobilization and demobilization strategies and recommending the best course of action to the Supervisor on duty for concurrence; assisting the Supervisor on duty with the distribution of workload among employees, and monitors and assesses their performance for operational continuity and efficiency and ensuring compliance with agencies objectives, policies, and standard operating procedures either in a dispatch setting or as a firefighter in the field.
To qualify for the GW-08 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW/GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Experience in determining the most efficient and cost effective method for mobilization; assistance in developing mobilization and demobilization strategies and recommending the best course of action to the Supervisor on duty for concurrence; assisting the Supervisor on duty with the distribution of workload among dispatchers and experience with ordering systems within the FAA; experience working with aircraft including knowledge of the capabilities, costs and alternatives; experience using dispatch tracking and recording systems; acting as a subject matter expert on special committees and working teams.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
For the GW-06:
One full year (18 semester hours) of GRADUATE level education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position; OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
For the GW-07: One full year (18 semester hours) of GRADUATE level education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position; OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
For the GW-08: Two full years (36 semester hours) of GRADUATE level education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position; OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
*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: Work is primarily performed in an office setting but demand long hours of sitting and varying shifts. Long periods of intense concentration and working at top speed during periods of high stress are occasional demands of the job.
Working Conditions: Work is usually performed in an interagency office setting with field visits to outdoor environments,.

Education:PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).Employment Type: OTHER

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