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Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter information

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$28.5K

$59.6K

$100K

How much do work study private wildland firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for work study private wildland firefighter in the United States is $59,606.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a work study private wildland firefighter?

Work Study Private Wildland Firefighters are individuals, often students, who participate in firefighting efforts on private lands as part of a work-study program. They assist with wildfire suppression, prevention, and recovery tasks while gaining hands-on experience and sometimes earning academic credit or financial compensation. These firefighters typically receive specialized training and work under the supervision of experienced personnel. The role provides valuable exposure to fire management careers and helps support private landowners in protecting their property from wildfires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a work study private wildland firefighter?

To thrive as a Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, basic firefighting knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional wildland fire certifications like S-130/S-190. Familiarity with firefighting tools, GPS units, radios, and safety equipment is crucial for effective field operations. Teamwork, quick decision-making, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for managing high-stress, rapidly changing situations. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure safety, efficient response to wildfires, and successful collaboration under demanding conditions.

How does a work study private wildland firefighter typically balance training requirements with field work, and what support is available for ongoing learning?

As a Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter, you’ll often balance hands-on field assignments with mandatory training sessions and coursework. Many employers and educational partners offer flexible schedules, online modules, or mentorship programs to help you keep up with required certifications like S-130/S-190 while gaining real-world experience. Support from supervisors and experienced crew members is common, fostering a collaborative environment where learning on the job is encouraged. This approach not only ensures you stay compliant with safety standards but also provides valuable exposure to a variety of fire management scenarios.

What is the difference between Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter vs Work Study Federal Wildland Firefighter?

AspectWork Study Private Wildland FirefighterWork Study Federal Wildland Firefighter
CredentialsBasic firefighting certifications, often through state or local agenciesSimilar certifications, plus federal agency-specific training
Work EnvironmentPrivate land, contracted firefighting teams, rural areasFederal lands, national parks, forests
Employer & IndustryPrivate companies, contractors, landownersFederal government agencies like USFS, BLM
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking private or local firefighting rolesIndividuals interested in federal firefighting careers

Both roles involve wildfire suppression, requiring similar certifications and safety training. The main difference lies in the employer and work environment, with private wildland firefighters working for private entities on private lands, while federal wildland firefighters serve government agencies on public lands.

What cities are hiring for Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter jobs?

Cities with the most Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Private Wildland Firefighter jobs?

The most popular types of Private Wildland Firefighter jobs are:

What states have the most Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter jobs?

States with the most job openings for Work Study Private Wildland Firefighter jobs include:

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatching)

IBC Opportunities | U.S. Department of the Interior

Alamogordo, NM • On-site

$52K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 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

These Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatching) positions are with theUS Wildland Fire Service,GW-0456-5/6/7, working in the following location:

  • Alamogordo, New Mexico
Qualifications:

Basic Qualification Requirements:

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.

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.

To qualify for the GW-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-04 is required. Examples of specialized work experience may include but are not limited to: Performing dispatch or dispatch office functions related to wildland fire suppression activities such as determining priorities and selecting alternative resources while independently performing dispatch operations duties.
OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GW-4. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above.
To qualify for the GW-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: performing wildland fire dispatch duties such as receiving and reviewing fire incident reports; working with wildland fire dispatch computer programs; and determining fire resource needs.


IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level.
For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: performing lead wildland fire dispatch duties such as performing and directing others in wildland fire dispatch office functions; providing incident logistical support information and making recommendations for efficient use of available resources; and determining appropriate resource responses to incidents.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level.

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: The work involves long hours of sitting, intense concentration, and working at peak proficiency/intensity levels with irregular breaks and mealtimes. Must be able to cope with the pressure of meeting timeframes and changing priorities. Mental concentration and accuracy are required. Vehicle and aircraft travel associated with field visits and other administrative travel may be required. Ability to remain calm under urgent and frequently changing conditions. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in an office setting. During peak activity, increased radio traffic, numerous ringing phones, and conversations result in high noise levels, which require a high level of concentration to perform duties. The duties of this position create a highly stressful environment during peak activity, requiring the ability to keep calm in emergency situations.

Education:IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at the GW-0456-06 OR GW-0456-07

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.
FOREIGNEDUCATION: 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