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Type 2 Wildland Firefighter Jobs in Riverside, CA

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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 Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for type 2 wildland firefighter in Riverside, CA is $18.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $19.04 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.

What are popular job titles related to Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Type 2 Wildland Firefighter jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Type 2 Wildland Firefighter job openings:

Infographic showing various Type 2 Wildland Firefighter job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,068 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$44K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

454th of 855 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

These positions are located in Region 5, USDA Forest Service units.
The purpose of these positions are wildland fire suppression/management/control as a specialized firefighter on an engine, helitack module, or hand crew with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of specialized tools or equipment.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Brian Grabowski at brian.grabowski@usda.govQualifications: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.
General/Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-03: You must have six (6) months of general experience. Examples of General Experience include: any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of a Wildland Firefighter, or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Wildland Firefighter occupation. Examples of general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; Fed and watered animals, such as in a laboratory, pet store, or zoo; Any work experience, paid or unpaid. Unpaid experience, for example, may be regular volunteer work, such as at a park, community sports league facilities, etc.
OR
Successful completion of a one (1)-year of related education or appropriate firefighting training may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighting training obtained as part of a high school curriculum-may be substituted for the six (6) months of general experience.
OR
An appropriate combinations of education and experience.
For the GW-04: You must have six (6) months of general experience (any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation) AND six (6) months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position.
Examples of qualifying general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities and/or worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants and/or animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store and/or volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.
Examples of specialized experience include: Performed natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc.
OR
Successful completion of a two (2)-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study.
OR
An appropriate combination of education and experience.
For the GW-05: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GW-04) in the Federal service.
OR
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields of study.
OR
An appropriate combination of education and experience.
Examples of specialized experience include: Patrolled areas of controlled fires to mop-up by searching out and extinguishing any remaining burning material; Served on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) to suppress the full range of difficult and complex fires; Operated specialized fire suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.
Selective Placement Factors
For the GW-05 grade level, successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter 1 (FFT1)
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.
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:See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirementsEmployment Type: OTHER

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