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Type 2 Wildland Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Type 2 Wildland Firefighter information

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How much do type 2 wildland firefighter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for type 2 wildland firefighter in the United States is $17.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter?

A Type 2 Wildland Firefighter is an entry-level position responsible for suppressing wildfires, conducting controlled burns, and maintaining firelines. They work as part of a hand crew under experienced leadership, using tools like chainsaws, shovels, and pulaskis to contain fires. Duties may also include clearing vegetation, performing fire prevention tasks, and assisting with post-fire recovery efforts. Firefighters must be physically fit and complete required training, including the Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) certification and the Work Capacity Test (Pack Test). The job often involves long hours in harsh conditions but provides valuable experience for advancing in wildland firefighting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter?

To excel as a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, basic fire behavior knowledge, and completion of required training such as the S-130/S-190 courses and a valid Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) certification. Familiarity with tools like chainsaws, hand tools (Pulaski, McLeod), fire shelters, and radio communication systems is crucial. Dependability, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this demanding environment. These skills are essential to ensure safety, effective fire suppression, and seamless coordination with crew members during dynamic and often hazardous wildfire situations.

What is a typical work schedule like for a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter during fire season?

During fire season, Type 2 Wildland Firefighters often work long hours, which may include 12- to 16-hour shifts and multi-day assignments, depending on wildfire activity and crew needs. Schedules can be highly variable, with periods of intense deployment to active fire incidents, followed by time off for rest and recovery. Firefighters are expected to be on-call and deploy quickly when needed, sometimes working in remote locations for extended periods. This structure is designed to ensure rapid response to wildfires while prioritizing crew safety and compliance with work-rest requirements.

How to become a type 2 wildland firefighter?

To become a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter, applicants typically need to be at least 18 years old, pass a physical fitness test, and complete basic wildland firefighting training such as the S-130 and S-190 courses. Prior experience with fire suppression, good teamwork skills, and certifications like First Aid are also beneficial; employment often involves seasonal work in forested or rural areas.

What do type 2 wildland firefighters do?

Type 2 wildland firefighters are trained to work on wildfire suppression and prevention, often in support roles such as constructing firelines, clearing brush, and using hand tools or equipment. They typically operate in challenging outdoor environments and may require certifications like S-130 and S-190, working in crews for extended periods during fire season.
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What states have the most Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs are:

Infographic showing various Type 2 Wildland Firefighter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,489 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter

US Department of the Interior

Grand Canyon, AZ

$97K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 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

417th of 849 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 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-12 working in the following location:

  • Grand Canyon, Arizona
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 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):

Pathways #1:

DIVS (Division Supervisor), and

ICT3 (Incident Command Type 3), or RXB2 (Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2),

and M-581 (Fire Program Management)

Pathways #2:

ASGS (Air Support Group Supervisor), and

ICT3 (Incident Command Type 3), and

M-581 (Fire Program Management)

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

Only experience and education obtained by 08/31/2026 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 GW-12
You must possess one (1) one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GW-11 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Serving as a Fire Management Officer or Zone Fire Management Officer in a fire management organization, providing short and long-range fire management planning, program direction and coordination and evaluation of the fire program; developing and implementing an integrated fire management program to achieve natural resource management objectives. Provides leadership, coordination, and direction, for the administration of the fire suppression, detection and prevention programs; dispatching and other communication services; fuels/vegetation management; aviation management; mitigation and education; and the integration of fire and aviation management plans and activities with other natural resources.

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.
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.

*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: Normally the work is sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather.
The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours and must respond quickly. The
position may require long shifts or multi-day assignments under primitive living conditions
during emergencies. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may
be required under very stressful conditions.
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. The nature of fire suppression work requires
that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn during fire assignments. The incumbent
must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of
others.

Education:There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level of this announcement.Employment Type: OTHER

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