On Monday the U.S. Forest Service advertised numerous permanent firefighter job openings in the agency’s Region 1, Montana, North Dakota, and northern Idaho. Some of the notices say “Job Corps graduates of fire certified programs are encouraged to apply,” which is interesting in that students at USFS Job Corps centers have been sent home due to COVID-19. A massive recruitment beginning just as the wildland fire season starts is unusual.
Some of the announcements are only open for a very brief time.
The information below dated April 27, 2020 was copied from the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Facebook page:
OPEN TODAY ON USAJOBS!??
Region 1 Summer Fire Hire PERMANENT Jobs
Vacancy Number — Title — USAJOBS link:
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-FFTR-34DH Forestry Aid/Forestry Technician (Fire Suppression) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648700
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-FFTR-34DH Forestry Aid/Forestry Technician (Fire Suppression) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648000
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-ENGSRFF-5DH Forestry Technician / Engine Senior Firefighter https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648400
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-ENGSRFF-5DH Forestry Technician / Engine Senior Firefighter https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647200
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-HSHCSRFF-5DH Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648900
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-HSHCSRFF-5DH Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647800
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-AFEO-6DH Lead Forestry Technician (AFEO) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649400
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-AFEO-6DH Lead Forestry Technician (AFEO) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648200
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-HCREW-6DH Lead Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649300
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-HCREW-6DH Lead Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566684100
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-FEOH-7DH Forestry Technician (FEO) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648800
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-FEOH-7DH Forestry Technician (FEO) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647700
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-HCREWH-7DH Forestry Technician (Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649200
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-HCREWH-7DH Forestry Technician (Handcrew) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647900
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-SFEOH-8DH Supervisory Forestry Tech (Fire Engine Op) / SFEO https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566649000
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-SFEOH-8DH Supervisory Forestry Tech (Fire Engine Op) / SFEO https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647400
20-FIRE-UHE-MT-HCREWH-8DH Supervisory Forestry Tech (Handcrew Supervisor) HIGH https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566648600
20-FIRE-UHE-ID-HCREWH-8DH Supervisory Forestry Tech (Handcrew Supervisor) HIGH https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566647600
Other areas are also hiring, with very short response dates. Here is another example.
Check out USAJobs.gov
R3 is adding three PSEs to each of our hotshot crews. Advertisements out for one week starting 5/1. We’re not anticipating a hard time filling these positions since many of our temps will apply, but how will that affect our pool of temp employees next winter is anyone’s guess.
Tough recruiting right now. I know some paid fire departments that are struggling to attract recruits. My brother works at one that got 3 applicants and that is after reopening the application period 3 times. Over in the larger metro area my contacts tell me they havent been getting the quality or quantity of recruits they did a few years ago. Most blame the good economy. I remember hiring in 08 we had our pick of the litter.