Wildland Firefighter (District/Zone Fire Management Officer Moderate Complexity)
Job Description
Summary
These positions are located on a USDA Forest Service unit.
The incumbent serves as a District/Zone Fire Management Officer Moderate Complexity (DZFMO) in a key fire management position.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section below for Regional contacts.
Duties
Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-11 level.
Reviews and evaluates fire management plans. Coordinates complex operations with cooperating agencies on incidents during all phases of the fire, fuels and aviation management planning on the district/zone.
Coordinates the development of short-range and long-range strategies for emergency incidents.
Directs safe initial attack and extended attack suppression actions.
Reviews and evaluates fuels and fire management plans and prescriptions to achieve ecosystem and resource management objectives.
Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government entities/agencies.
Directs all aspects of the district/zone fire, fuels and aviation management programs. Coordinates and administers the district/zone fire and fuels management program, annual and out-year budget, and program of work.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
Must be 18 years of age.
This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
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-9: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-7 in the Federal service; OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting with a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program. Assisting in implementing a partial fire program budget taking into consideration changing priorities. Assisting in implementing agreements with cooperators. Establishing relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire issues.
For the GW-11:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GW-9 grade level in the Federal Service; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).
Specialized experience is defined as: Managing a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program. Assisting in developing, coordinating and implementing a partial fire program budget. Implementing agreements with cooperators and maintaining relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire management program issues. Managing strategies for a moderate to high complexity wildland fire suppression or prescribed fire organization utilizing agency policies, guidelines, and procedures.
Selective Placement Factors
Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Task Force Leader (TFLD) -AND-Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) -OR- Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2)
-OR-
Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Helibase Manager (HEBM) -AND- Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)
Successfully completed the NWCG Course # M-581 Fire Program Management.
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.
This position has been identified as MODERATE Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.
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.
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 requirements.
Additional information
For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
Region 1: Northern Region - Tiffany Counts at [email protected]
Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Timothy Griffin at [email protected]
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Jason Heinz at [email protected]
Region 8: Southern Region - Russ Marchion at [email protected]
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.
These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).
Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.
Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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Date Posted
03/16/2026
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