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Prescribed Fire Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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Prescribed Fire information

See Tennessee salary details

$11

$29

$51

How much do prescribed fire jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for prescribed fire in Tennessee is $29.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.44 and $39.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prescribed fire?

A Prescribed Fire job involves planning and conducting controlled burns to manage vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystems. Professionals in this field work with fire crews, land managers, and environmental agencies to ensure burns are conducted safely and effectively. Responsibilities may include preparing burn plans, monitoring weather conditions, and using specialized equipment to ignite and control fires. These roles are often found in government agencies, conservation organizations, and private land management companies.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in a prescribed fire position?

A typical workday in a Prescribed Fire position often involves planning and conducting controlled burns, monitoring weather conditions, preparing equipment, and coordinating with landowners and fire crews. You may spend time in both the field and the office, balancing hands-on fire implementation with administrative tasks such as reporting, mapping, and compliance documentation. Safety briefings and collaboration with various agencies or stakeholders are common parts of the job. The role can be physically demanding and may require irregular hours depending on burn windows, but it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on ecosystem health and wildfire prevention.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the prescribed fire position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Prescribed Fire role, you need a strong understanding of fire ecology, land management, and wildland fire behavior, often demonstrated by education in natural resources or forestry and specialized fire training. Technical proficiency with fire management tools, GIS mapping systems, and completion of relevant certifications such as NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) courses are typically required. Attention to detail, effective teamwork, and strong communication skills are important soft skills for ensuring safety and successful coordination during burns. These qualities are crucial for minimizing risk while achieving ecological management goals and complying with safety regulations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee?

For Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Prescribed Fire jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Prescribed Fire jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Prescribed Fire job openings:

Infographic showing various Prescribed Fire job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,399 per year, or $29.5 per hour.

Supervisory Wildland Fire Fighter (Fire Engine Operator)

Recruitment and Hiring | US Forest Service

Benton, TN

$62K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
Serves as first line supervisor on a High Complexity Fire Engine Module. The primary purpose of the position is to perform wildland firefighting work and to provide leadership for a crew performing such work.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for contact information.Qualifications: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.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-07: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-06 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as examples of the following: Evaluated initial fire situations to determine suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use, and application of water; Communicated with dispatcher and superiors on the progress on fire situation requesting additional resources when applicable; Demonstrated safety practices relative to all-hazard incident management involving crews, resources, and equipment; Served as a working leader on a wildland fire engine; Directing others and provided leadership in wildland fire operations including prescribed fire.
For the GW-08: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-07 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as examples of the following: Operated and maintained pump engine and specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations; Assisted with search and rescue incidents, victim recoveries, automobile accidents, and hazardous materials incidents during local responses involving multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency co-operators; Served as Initial Attack Incident Commander on wildland and/or urban interface and all-hazard incidents; Directed project work in support of ecosystem management such as prescribed fire, including development of burn plans.
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.
Selective Placement Factors
Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Engine Boss (ENGB) -AND- Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4).
Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.
In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.
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.
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. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.
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.
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.Education:There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.Employment Type: OTHER