π₯ Beginner Guide β Start Here
Every season people ask:
β’ How do I get hired?
β’ What certs do I need?
β’ Do I need them before applying?
β’ Where do I apply?
β’ Whatβs the best rookie path?
This is a simple, no-BS starting guide for federal, state, and contractor wildland fire jobs.
β οΈ Disclaimer: This isnβt absolute β hiring changes by agency and season. Use this as a general roadmap.
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π© CERTIFICATIONS β WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED
Minimum entry-level (FFT2 / Type 2):
β’ S-130 β Firefighter Training
β’ S-190 β Fire Behavior
β’ L-180 β Human Factors
β’ ICS-100 β Incident Command
β’ ICS-700 β NIMS
π₯ Red Card:
Earned after courses + Pack Test
(3 miles β’ 45 lbs β’ under 45 min)
β DO YOU NEED CERTS BEFORE APPLYING?
No.
Most rookies get hired with zero certs.
Agencies usually train you after hiring.
BUT:
Doing online courses early helps you stand out.
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π§ FREE ONLINE TRAINING OPTIONS
NWCG Learning Portal
https://www.wildlandfirelearningportal.net
FEMA ICS Courses
Common rookie strategy:
β
ICS-100 + ICS-700 (FEMA)
β
S-190 online
β
L-180 online
β‘οΈ Finish S-130 hands-on once hired
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π¦ WHERE TO APPLY
π₯ FEDERAL (USFS β’ BLM β’ NPS β’ BIA β’ FWS)
π USAJOBS.gov
Search:
β’ Forestry Technician (Wildland Firefighter)
β’ Forestry Aid
β’ Engine Crew / Handcrew / Hotshot
Entry level:
GS-3 / GW-3
Some experience or college?
Apply GS-4 too.
π² STATE AGENCIES
Examples:
CAL FIRE β’ WA DNR β’ ODF β’ AZ DFFM
MT DNRC β’ CO DFPC
Search:
β[Your State] wildland fire seasonal jobsβ
π CONTRACTORS
Type 2 crews & engines hire rookies often.
Search:
βWildland fire contractorβ + your state
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π WHEN AGENCIES HIRE (ROUGH TIMELINE)
π₯ USFS
AUG β outreach + first openings
AUGβSEPT β biggest hiring wave
OCTβNOV β second wave
DECβAPR β late hires
ποΈ OTHER FEDERAL
SEPTβDEC main postings
JANβAPR additional hiring
π² STATE AGENCIES
Usually OCTβMARCH
π CONTRACT CREWS
DECβMAY (most flexible)
π Start checking in AUGUST.
Most rookies miss this window.
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π¨ CALL CREWS β THIS IS HUGE
Applying online isnβt enough.
After applying:
π Call the crews you want.
Say:
β’ You applied
β’ Youβre interested
β’ Ask questions
Why it matters:
Supervisors remember names and write them down.
When they see your application later, youβre not a stranger.
Tips:
β’ Keep calls short & respectful
β’ Call more than once during hiring
β’ Ask about PT, culture, expectations
β’ Show consistent interest
Many rookies get hired because they stayed proactive.
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π¦ HOW COMPETITIVE IS IT?
Hotshots β very competitive
Smokejumpers β 3+ seasons usually
Rappel β 2β3 seasons
Helitack β often 1+ season first
Best rookie paths:
β
Engines
β
State crews
β
Type 2 handcrews
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π₯ FITNESS EXPECTATIONS
You donβt need to be elite.
But you MUST be prepared for:
β’ Steep hiking
β’ Heat & long shifts
β’ Carrying tools
β’ 16-hour days
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π₯ MINIMUM BENCHMARKS (READY TO PASS TRAINING)
Pack Hike β 3 miles, 45 lbs under 45 min
1.5 Mile Run β 12β14 min
Push-ups β 25β35 nonstop (one minute)
Plank β 1:30β2:00
Pull-ups β 3β5 strict reps
Air Squats β 40+ good reps
These numbers mean youβll survive rookie PT β not dominate it.
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π© WELL-PREPARED BENCHMARKS (STRONG ROOKIE SHAPE)
Pack Hike β 3 miles, 45 lbs in 38β42 min
1.5 Mile Run β 9:30β11:00
Push-ups β 45β60+ nonstop (one minute)
Plank β 3:00+
Pull-ups β 8β12 strict reps
Air Squats β 75+ controlled reps
Hitting these numbers usually means:
βοΈ PT wonβt crush you
βοΈ Long hikes feel manageable
βοΈ You recover faster on roll
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Train now. Your season will be WAY easier.
Here is the NIFC fitness challenge link.Β
Here is the scoring sheet link.Β
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π§ WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW (SIMPLE PLAN)
β
Make a USAJobs account
Set alerts for βForestry Technicianβ
β
Apply widely
Donβt bet on one crew.
β
Take free online courses
ICS-100 β’ ICS-700 β’ S-190 β’ L-180
β Start hiking with weight
β
Build a clean wildland resume
Highlight physical or outdoor work.
β
CALL CREWS
Seriously β this helps more than people think.
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π¦ QUICK FAQ
Do I need certs before applying?
β No.
Do I need the Pack Test first?
β No.
Can I get hired with no experience?
β
Yes β happens every year.
Can I start mid-season?
β
Sometimes.
Best rookie job?
β
Engine β’ State β’ Type 2 handcrew.
Apply to multiple locations?
β
Absolutely.
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