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Smokejumper information

What are some common challenges smokejumpers face during fire season, and how do teams typically address them?

Smokejumpers often encounter unpredictable wildfire behavior, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing weather conditions, which require quick decision-making and adaptability. Teams address these challenges through intensive pre-season training, clear communication protocols, and strong teamwork, both in the air and on the ground. Regular drills and debriefings help ensure everyone is prepared for high-stress situations, and safety is always the top priority. Collaboration with ground crews and incident command is also essential for effective firefighting and resource management.

How to get a smokejumper job?

To become a smokejumper, candidates typically need a background in firefighting, wilderness survival, or related outdoor skills, along with physical fitness and endurance. Applying through federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, completing specialized training programs, and gaining experience in wildland firefighting are essential steps.

What is the difference between Smokejumper vs Wildland Firefighter?

AspectSmokejumperWildland Firefighter
Required CertificationsBasic firefighting training, parachuting certificationBasic firefighting training, often includes wildland fire certifications
Work EnvironmentHigh-altitude parachuting into remote fire zonesGround-based firefighting in wildland areas
Employer & IndustryU.S. Forest Service, BLM, firefighting agenciesU.S. Forest Service, local fire departments, federal agencies

Smokejumpers are specialized wildland firefighters trained to parachute into remote fire areas, often working in challenging environments. Wildland Firefighters work on the ground to contain and suppress fires in forested and wildland areas. While both roles require firefighting skills and certifications, smokejumpers have additional parachuting training and operate in more remote, high-risk settings.

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

To thrive as a Smokejumper, you need excellent physical fitness, wildfire suppression training, and usually firefighter certification. Familiarity with specialized parachuting gear, fire shelters, and communication systems is essential for safe and effective operations. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are critical soft skills for this demanding role. These abilities are vital for safely combating wildfires in remote locations and ensuring the well-being of both the team and the public.

What are smokejumpers?

Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who parachute from airplanes into remote areas to combat wildfires. Their primary role is to quickly reach and contain new fires in hard-to-access locations before they grow larger. Smokejumpers carry firefighting tools and supplies with them and may work for extended periods in rugged and hazardous conditions. They play a critical role in wildfire management, often serving as the first responders to emerging fires.
More about Smokejumper jobs
What cities are hiring for Smokejumper jobs? Cities with the most Smokejumper job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Smokejumper jobs? The most popular types of Smokejumper jobs are:
What states have the most Smokejumper jobs? States with the most job openings for Smokejumper jobs include:
Infographic showing various Smokejumper job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 20% Physical, and 80% Remote job distribution.

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Fire Management Officer) - Direct Hire Authority

IBC Opportunities | U.S. Department of the Interior

Fairbanks, AK

$94K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


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 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Fire Management Officer) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-11 working in the following location(s):

  • Fairbanks, Alaska
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.

1.) Prior Primary Wildland Firefighting Experience: 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.

2.) 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 Unit Fire Program Manager - 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 here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM). To meet IFPM requirements, 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 (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):
Pathway 1:
A.) Division Group Supervisor (DIVS); AND
B.) Incident Commander, Type 3 (ICT3) OR Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2)
-OR-
Pathway 2:
A.) Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS); AND
B.)Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)
To meet additional IFPM training requirements, as a "condition of employment", you must complete the following withinone year of the entry on duty date:

  • Fire Program Management (M-581)


Minimum Qualification

For the GW-11 level:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, which includes all of the following: Examples of specialized experience include, but not limited to: assist with developing, reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and consistency with land management goals and objectives; analyzing fuel loadings and determining appropriate fuel treatment methods; performing land use planning and environmental coordination to determine if resource objectives were achieved; assist with analyzing the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

-OR-

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-10 level, or higher, outside of the Federal service; Examples of specialized experience include, but not limited to: developing, reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and consistency with land management goals and objectives; analyzing fuel loadings and determining appropriate fuel treatment methods; performing land use planning and environmental coordination to determine if resource objectives were achieved; analyzing the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

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:
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-11 grade level.

*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: The work is normally sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather.
Working Conditions: Although work is generally performed in an office setting. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust create hazardous conditions.

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