Forest Service hiring firefighters
Safety officer and Flathead Hot Shot Shawn Borgen looks out at a sprinkler system set up on the John’s Lake Trail in this file photo from 2017.
The U.S. Forest Service is recruiting 1,000 fire jobs nationwide, including 500 permanent and 500 temporary jobs, the agency has announced.
Flathead National Forest plans to fill approximately seven of those positions locally, but across the Northern Region which includes Montana, North Idaho, and parts of the Dakotas, 60 permanent and 60 temporary jobs are announced for other neighboring national forests.
Temporary positions typically require very little or no firefighting experience and are a way to start a firefighting career, with multiple opportunities for advancement. People in temporary positions can expect to learn things like how to operate a chainsaw and pumps, work with aviation, and fire engine operations.
Permanent positions like the engine operator and senior firefighter positions currently advertised at Flathead National Forest typically require some wildland fire fighting experience and qualifications.
The positions are expected to start mid-summer and vary from four to six-month temporary seasons to 10 month-per-year permanent appointments.
Firefighters are required to meet physical fitness requirements and should appreciate working outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions. Fire crews can work long hours and be away from home for extended time-periods on regional or national firefighting assignments.
“I am very pleased to be offering these positions,” said Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele. “They are important jobs for our local economy. The individuals hired will join our team at Flathead National Forest and help contribute to our overall fire response not only here in the valley, but nationally as well.”
People can apply for the open positions usajobs.gov. The specific vacancy announcements by job category across the region are listed below. Please refer to the person listed in the job announcement or call the specific district office you are interested in for questions about the openings.
Here’s a look at the local positions:
Forestry Aid/Forestry Technician (Fire Suppression)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648700
Forestry Aid/Forestry Technician (Fire Suppression)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648000
Forestry Technician / Engine Senior Firefighter
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648400
Forestry Technician / Engine Senior Firefighter
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647200
Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648900
Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647800
Lead Forestry Technician (AFEO)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649400
Lead Forestry Technician (AFEO)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648200
Lead Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649300
Lead Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566684100
Forestry Technician (FEO)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648800
Forestry Technician (FEO)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647700
Forestry Technician (Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649200
Forestry Technician (Handcrew)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647900
Supervisory Forestry Tech (Fire Engine Op) / SFEO
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649000
Supervisory Forestry Tech (Fire Engine Op) / SFEO
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647400
Supervisory Forestry Tech (Handcrew Supervisor) HIGH
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648600
Supervisory Forestry Tech (Handcrew Supervisor) HIGH
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647600