Helitack 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 (Engine) - Direct Hire Authority position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-6/7 working in the following location(s):

• Bishop, California
• Crater Lake, Oregon
• Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
• Los Banos, California
• Tulelake, California
• Willows, California
• Yosemite National Park, California

Qualifications:

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 position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.

Additional Requirements for the GW-06 & GW-07 grades detailed below: 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 a Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain) - High Complexity 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 at www.ifpm.nifc.gov. To meet IFPM requirements for this position, 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:

SELECTIVE FACTORS: For this Wildland Firefighter position you must also meet the following selective placement factors:
For the GW-06

1. Firefighter Type I (FFT1) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-
2. Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) (CURRENCY REQUIRED)

For the GW-07

1. Engine Boss (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-
2. Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) -AND-
3. Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211) (CURRENCY REQUIRED)

If selected at the GW-06, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-07 grade level.
Only experience and education obtained by 08/17/2026 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.
In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required.
Minimum Qualifications

For the GW-06 level: One year of experience equivalent to the GS/GW-05 level in the Federal service which includes the following: Performing and directing others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and foam application. Performing prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop up. Evaluating initial fire situations, determining rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements. Ensure the engine and fire equipment has been kept in full state of readiness for dispatch.
For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) personally leading a crew in Wildland Fire Operations, and at least one of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: Initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) personally leading or supervising others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at these grade levels.

*Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement.

This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.

Physical Demands: The work of this position requires arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.
Working Conditions: This position is expected to work in forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.

Education:IMPORTANT - There is no education substitute for experience at the GW-0456-06 or GW-0456-07 grade levels.
Position Information:
**PLEASE NOTE - these positions are covered under the new GW pay table specific to Wildland Firefighters. The salary listed in the announcement is for the RUS pay table: GW RUS Pay Table.

• Central CA BLM Bishop Field Office, Bishop, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table.
• Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake, OR, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii NP, HI, covered under the State of Hawaii Pay table.
• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Los Banos, CA, covered under the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Pay table.
• Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Tulelake, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table.
• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willows, CA, covered under the GW RUS Pay Table.
• Yosemite National Park, El Portal & Yosemite NP, CA, covered under the Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA Pay Table.

In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.
PCS entitlements authorized for position at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park only.
IMPORTANT, Special Consideration: The island of Hawai'i can be subject to high concentrations of volcanic fumes, especially sulfur dioxide gases and particulates. The fumes are known to be hazardous to an unborn fetus, and persons with heart and respiratory problems. Long-term effects on normal healthy persons are unknown.
If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.
In addition to the yearly salary, the position in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) as determined by https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.
One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Wildland Fire Service offices in the local commuting area.Employment Type: OTHER