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Job Description
Job Listing ID:
4496194
Job Title:
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)
Application Deadline:
Open Until Filled
Job Location:
Redmond
Date Posted:
05/21/2026
Hours Worked Per Week:
Not Provided Shift:
Not Provided Duration of Job:
Either Full or Part Time, more than 6 months You may contact this employer directly.
(Obtain the contact information to print or add to your jobs.)
Job Summary:
Summary These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. Responsibilities include parachuting into rugged terrain to suppress wildfires; and serve as a team leader over smokejumper operations as well as perform other fire support functions. See
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
for Regional contacts. Responsibilities Serves as a highly trained and skilled team leader of a parachuting fire suppression squad, which jumps over forest and mountainous terrain landing in timber, open, or on rough ground. Performs as an Initial Attack Commander responsible for leading a squad of three to seven personnel in wildland suppression activities. Anticipates fire behavior, determines strategy and tactics, and directs on-line activities. Directs and coordinates all types of related aircraft, fireline personnel and equipment. Leads other crew members in all applicable smokejumper duties including parachute rigging and repair, paracargo rigging, aircraft loading, sewing and manufacturing, equipment maintenance and other duties which support the smokejumper program. Makes parachute jumps from aircraft under a variety of elevation, wind, terrain and ground hazard conditions. Works with helicopters on fires and applies the principles of proper risk management for helispot construction, internal loading, and external loading of cargo. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-07: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the (GW-06) grade level in the Federal Service.
Examples of Specialized Experience are:
Performed many technical specializations such as parachute rigging and repair, parachute maneuvering and tree climbing, in support of fire management activities independently; Practiced methods and procedures associated with wildfire suppression to resolve a full range of irregular or problem situations when suppressing wildland fires; Served as a member of a smokejumper crew that parachutes into rugged terrain for fire management purposes. Smokejumper duties present unusual hazards and require that personnel be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness. The health of individuals must be such that they have the capacity to meet demands for performance in the position and for human reliability. Before entrance on duty, and periodically during employment, smokejumpers must undergo a medical exam, physical conditioning, and an adeptness test. Failure to meet any of the required standards will be considered disqualifying for employment or a basis of termination. See Medical Requirements for Smokejumper Positions During the training period, incumbents are continually evaluated on their ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in various aspects of parachute jumping and smokejumper-related tasks, including aircraft exit procedures, parachute landing falls, parachute maneuvering, timber let-down procedures, parachute and cargo retrieving, tree climbing, and chainsaw and hand tool use. Incumbents who cannot perform up to the required standards of proficiency will be terminated from the smokejumper program. Smokejumpers must perform safely and efficiently in extreme temperatures and weather conditions, often with severe smoke and dust. Terrain may be extremely steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with thick tangled vegetation. Conditions riding in aircraft may be hot, cramped, and extremely turbulent, which may promote airsickness. The hazardous nature of the work requires that protective clothing (jump suit, helmet, boots, gloves...
Job Classification:
Firefighters Access our statewide or regional occupation report for more information about wages,
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