1

Wildland Fire Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Wildland Fire information

See Indiana salary details

$13

$16

$21

How much do wildland fire jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for wildland fire in Indiana is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $17.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wildland firefighter?

Wildland firefighters are trained professionals who work to suppress and manage fires in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas. They use specialized techniques and equipment to contain and extinguish wildfires, protect communities, and preserve natural resources. Their duties often involve working in remote and physically demanding environments, sometimes for extended periods. Wildland firefighters also help with fire prevention efforts, such as controlled burns and clearing brush to reduce fire risk.

What are some common challenges faced by wildland firefighters during a typical fire season?

Wildland firefighters often encounter physically demanding conditions, long shifts, and unpredictable weather, which can make their work especially challenging during peak fire season. Navigating rugged terrain, managing fatigue, and maintaining safety protocols are daily concerns, as is effective teamwork under stressful situations. Additionally, wildland firefighters must stay adaptable, as fire behavior and assignment locations can change rapidly, requiring quick decision-making and frequent coordination with multiple agencies.

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

To thrive as a Wildland Firefighter, you need physical fitness, knowledge of fire behavior, and completion of relevant training such as the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) courses. Familiarity with specialized equipment like fire shelters, chainsaws, and radio communication systems is typically required. Teamwork, resilience under stress, and strong situational awareness are crucial soft skills for safety and effective performance. These skills and qualities are vital for managing hazardous environments, ensuring crew safety, and successfully containing wildfires.

What is the difference between Wildland Fire vs Forest Firefighter?

AspectWildland FireForest Firefighter
CertificationsFirefighter certifications, wildland fire trainingFirefighter certifications, wildland fire training
Work EnvironmentForests, grasslands, wildland areasForests, national parks, rural areas
Employer & IndustryFederal, state agencies, firefighting organizationsGovernment agencies, forestry services, firefighting units

Wildland Fire and Forest Firefighter roles both involve combating fires in natural areas, requiring similar certifications and working in forested or grassland environments. While Wildland Fire refers broadly to the fire itself and the overall firefighting efforts, Forest Firefighter specifically describes the personnel actively fighting these fires in forested regions. Both roles are essential in protecting natural resources and communities from wildfire threats.

What are popular job titles related to Wildland Fire jobs in Indiana?

For Wildland Fire jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Wildland Fire jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Wildland Fire job openings:

Infographic showing various Wildland Fire job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,722 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatcher)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Tell City, IN • On-site

$48K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 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 854 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

These positions are located in a USDA Forest Service Unit.
These positions serve as a Fire Dispatcher located in a dispatch center. This may be a single agency dispatch office or interagency dispatch center located in a fire management organization.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the specific 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-04: Applicants must have six 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 months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position; OR successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR an appropriate combination of experience and education above high school as described above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university and include courses that are related to the occupation of the position.
Examples of general experience may 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. AND Have at least 6 months of specialized experience.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Performing the full range of standardized support duties commonly found in the work area, such as receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents. Experience in wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire strategies, tactics, methods and procedures, fire behavior, and weather conditions to effectively dispatch fire management resources.
For the GW-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-04) in the Federal service; OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Filing and retrieving documents in a dispatching office. Assisting in preparing various maps, plans, guides, analyses, and special reports for dispatch use; receiving and processing requests for equipment, personnel, and supplies in conjunction with wildland fire and emergency incidents.
For the GW-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-05) in the Federal service; OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as recreation or physical education); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Serving as a dispatcher, receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents; arranging for ground and air transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment in support of emergency and project activities; collecting, processing and disseminating weather and smoke management information into computer programs or databases.
For the GW-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the the next lower grade level (GW-06) in the Federal service; OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Determining the appropriate personnel and resource composition to respond to wildland fires or emergencies, as the situation demands and/or reassigning resources to address changing needs, such as in cases of multiple wildland or prescribed fires and/or coordinating aviation dispatch operations (e.g., aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, aviation safety) and operating and/or directing the operation of various dispatch telecommunication systems and/or Manages and directs adherence of law enforcement dispatch protocols and procedures and/or Plans and carries out fire program management projects in accordance with fire management objectives and policies.
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 secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.
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:
Employment Type: OTHER

What United States Department Of Agriculture employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom