Launch Your Career in Aviation Fire Management: Join the U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Are you looking for a role that combines physical endurance, aviation logistics, and the thrill of emergency response? The U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) is currently accepting applications for seasonal Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) positions in Roswell, New Mexico. This is a unique opportunity for experienced wildland firefighters to transition into aviation support, playing a key role in the suppression of wildfires across our nation's forests.
Job Responsibilities
As an Aviation Wildland Firefighter, your daily operations will be dynamic and fast-paced. You will serve as a functional leader in ground support, ensuring that airtanker operations are handled with extreme precision. Responsibilities include:
- Overseeing ramp operations to maintain safe distances between aircraft, personnel, and equipment.
- Implementing and training others on safety protocols and emergency response plans.
- Coordinating logistically with aircrews for fixed-wing operations.
- Maintaining detailed flight records, daily activity logs, and performing administrative data entry.
- Utilizing base radios to communicate critical information to ground and air units.
Requirements
This role is rigorous and requires a specific background in fire management.
- Primary Fire Experience: You must provide documentation of at least one full fire season or 14 days of cumulative on-the-ground fireline experience.
- Physical Fitness: Applicants must pass an arduous work capacity test and a pre-employment medical exam.
- General: You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and be able to pass a drug screening.
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive wage of $25.37 per hour. Given the nature of wildfire season, this role often requires irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Benefits Comparison
| Feature | Benefits Summary |
|---|---|
| Appointment Type | Seasonal/Temporary |
| Pay Frequency | Hourly |
| Career Growth | Potential for interagency networking |
| Working Environment | High-intensity aviation/fire landscape |
Application Tips
- Format Your Resume: Stick strictly to the two-page limit. Ensure your formatting includes 10-point font and 0.5-inch margins.
- Detail Your Experience: Do not just list your job titles. Detail your hours per week, specific dates, and the scope of your fireline duties.
- Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, ensure your unofficial transcripts clearly show your major and credit hours.
If you have the drive and the fireline experience to help manage the skies above our forests, we invite you to apply. This role offers more than just a paycheck; it offers the chance to be a part of the frontline defense of our nation's most precious landscapes. Apply via the USAJobs portal before the deadline to be considered.
Why This Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority Job Matters
Launch your career in aviation fire management with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service—where your skills keep the skies safe and our forests protected.
Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority Job Overview
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Wildland Firefighters (Aviation - Airtanker Base) in Roswell, New Mexico. This is a vital seasonal role focused on ground support, logistics, and safety operations for fixed-wing aircraft and airtankers. You will work at the intersection of emergency response and aviation, ensuring that aircrews and ground personnel operate safely during high-stakes wildfire missions.
Requirements for Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Prior primary wildland firefighting experience (mandatory prerequisite).
- Must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
- Must pass a work capacity test for arduous duties.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a government charge card.
- Must be able to pass a drug test and participate in random drug testing.
- Male applicants born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Preferred Qualifications for Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW/GS-04 level.
- A four-year degree in Fire Science, Fire Technology, or related fields.
- Proven history of safely operating around active airtanker bases.
- Experience in data entry, clerical reporting, and radio communication.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive hourly compensation.
- ✓Hands-on experience in a federal aviation environment.
- ✓Exposure to interagency wildfire management operations.
- ✓Professional development through specialized fire and aviation training.
💡 How to Apply Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Wildland Firefighter (Aviation - Airtanker Base) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority Job
- Create or update your profile on USAJOBS.
- Prepare your resume (maximum two pages, 10-point font, 0.5-inch margins).
- Gather your transcripts and supporting documents.
- Complete the online questionnaire at the USAJobs portal.
- Submit your package and confirm receipt via the agency site.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your resume explicitly lists hours worked per week for every position; missing this will result in disqualification.
- Clearly document your previous fireline experience, including specific dates and roles.
- Do not include photographs or Adobe portfolio files in your application.
- Double-check your eligibility documents before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a permanent position?
No, this is a seasonal, temporary appointment limited to a maximum of 1,039 hours per service year.
Do I need prior firefighting experience?
Yes, prior primary wildland firefighting experience is a mandatory requirement for this position.
What if I have prior fire experience, but it wasn't federal?
That is acceptable, provided it was in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., state, tribal, or private-sector) and is clearly documented in your resume.
Will I be working indoors or outdoors?
Both. You will perform duties inside an office for administrative tasks and outdoors in an active airbase environment, exposing you to various weather conditions and high-noise zones.
Job from Office Of The Secretary Of The Interior
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is a primary entity within the Department of the Interior. We are responsible for managing over 500 million acres of public and tribal lands. Our mission is to promote fire-resilient landscapes and provide an aggressive, safe, and efficient response to wildfires nationwide. By joining our team, you become part of a network of federal, state, and local agencies dedicated to protecting natural resources and public safety.