Lead the Future of Wildland Fire Management

Are you a seasoned leader with a passion for public safety and professional development? The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is currently seeking a highly qualified professional to serve as the Director, National Fire Training Centers. This pivotal role sits at the heart of our Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) organization, where your expertise will directly influence how our nation’s first responders prepare for the challenges of an evolving wildland fire landscape.

Job Responsibilities

As the Director of National Fire Training Centers, you will serve as the premier national authority in the field of education and career development. Your primary duties will include:

Program Direction: Defining objectives and performance standards for national fire education.
Curriculum Design: Leading the development of advanced technical fire management programs, from foundational apprenticeships to executive-level training.
Strategic Planning: Analyzing long-range program needs and identifying innovative approaches to fire suppression and management training.
Policy Development: Crafting guidelines that govern interagency wildland fire education services.
Evaluation: Conducting comprehensive audits of training effectiveness to ensure operational efficiency.

Requirements

To be considered for this leadership position, candidates must meet specific criteria defined by federal qualification standards:

Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW-13 for applicants seeking the GW-14 level).
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen.
Drug Testing: As this is a drug-testing-designated position, you will be subject to pre-employment and ongoing random testing.
Background Check: Successful adjudication of a thorough background and fingerprint investigation is required.

Comparison of Responsibilities

Feature	GW-13 Level	GW-14 Level
Scope of Policy	Limited areas of uncertainty	Major areas of uncertainty
Planning Focus	Assists in long-range planning	Leads long-range, complex planning
Program Oversight	Basic national guideline implementation	Full evaluation of national programs

Salary Overview

The position offers a competitive salary commensurate with the high level of expertise required, ranging from $112,824 to $168,420 annually. As this is a federal position, compensation also includes access to a robust benefits package that sets it apart from private-sector counterparts.

Benefits

Working for the Forest Service provides more than just a paycheck. Employees gain access to:

Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance plans and a federal pension scheme.
Work-Life Balance: Generous paid leave, including federal holidays.
Growth: Structured professional development opportunities and clear career trajectories.

Application Tips

Applying for federal jobs requires precision. To ensure your application stands out:

Format Your Resume: Keep it to exactly two pages. Highlight your work regarding program development and fire management policy specifically.
Detail Your Experience: Do not assume the hiring official knows your history. Use the language of the job description to explain your successes in past roles.
Check Your Status: Once you apply, log into the USAJOBS portal regularly to check for any requests for additional information or assessment links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are there relocation incentives? A: Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized based on the final determination of the hiring official at the time of the job offer.

Q: What is the 'Time-in-Grade' requirement? A: If you are a current federal employee, you must demonstrate 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level to be eligible for this promotion.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the educational framework that supports the brave men and women on the front lines of wildfire management. If you possess the leadership skills and strategic vision required, we encourage you to apply and help us steward our nation’s lands with excellence.

Why This Director, National Fire Training Centers Job Matters

Take the lead in shaping the future of wildfire management by directing the national fire training centers for the U.S. Forest Service.

Director, National Fire Training Centers Job Overview

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking a dedicated leader to serve as the Director of National Fire Training Centers within the Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) organization. This high-level position serves as a national authority on technology transfer and advanced fire management education. You will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, and delivery of training programs that prepare our nation's fire professionals to manage wildland fire complexities. This role offers the opportunity to drive national policy, implement innovative learning strategies, and ensure organizational excellence across multiple duty stations throughout the United States.

Requirements for Director, National Fire Training Centers

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Must pass a pre-employment and random drug screening.
Must undergo continuous background investigation and fingerprint checks.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Possession of prior wildland firefighting experience.
Completion of a 1-year probationary period is mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications for Director, National Fire Training Centers

Experience providing authoritative guidance on complex policy or program issues with national impact.
Proven history in long-range planning for interagency programs.
Demonstrated success in overseeing national educational programs and technical training curricula.
Ability to analyze organizational efficiency and implement strategic improvements in management processes.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives.
✓Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
✓Telework eligibility for qualified positions.
✓Paid federal holidays and generous leave accrual.

💡 How to Apply Director, National Fire Training Centers Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Director, National Fire Training Centers Job

Review the full announcement and ensure your resume is strictly limited to two pages.
Log in to your USAJOBS account to build or update your application package.
Complete the mandatory online questionnaires and assessment tests.
Upload all required supporting documents, including SF-50 forms and performance appraisals where applicable.
Submit your final application by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of November 9, 2026.
Monitor your status via your USAJOBS profile and check for email notifications regarding potential assessment links.

💡 General Tips

Your resume must explicitly detail your specialized experience, hours worked per week, and specific dates of employment.
Ensure all uploaded documents are under 5MB and in supported formats like PDF or Word; avoid Adobe Portfolio files.
The application process includes mandatory assessments; prepare by utilizing the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center.
If you are a current federal employee, ensure your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal are included to verify eligibility.
Submit early to avoid technical issues, as the system does not accept late submissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary mission of this role?

The Director serves as the technical expert for technology transfer and leads the execution of advanced training programs for the interagency wildland fire community.

Is this a remote-friendly position?

While this position is eligible for telework, it is not a fully remote position and requires being based at one of the listed duty stations.

Is there a page limit for my resume?

Yes. Your resume must not exceed two pages; applications exceeding this limit will be disqualified.

Job from Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service is a vital agency within the Department of Agriculture, tasked with the immense responsibility of managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Beyond land management, the agency serves as a global leader in wildland fire suppression and prevention, providing essential support to state and private forestry partners. Joining our team means taking on a career where your work protects both natural resources and human communities.