Built from a resume that cleared HR, was referred, and resulted in a Hotshot crew hire — rewritten, anonymized, and explained so others can use the same system.
This guide walks you through exactly how federal wildland fire hiring works, how to build a compliant two-page resume, and how to upgrade from GW-03 to GW-04 after your first season.
This is not generic advice. This is how the USAJobs + federal HR qualification system actually works.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Hiring requirements and agency guidance may change. Always defer to the language in the specific job announcement you are applying to.
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🟩 PART 1 — HOW FEDERAL FIRE HIRING REALLY WORKS
The Hard Truth
Before any superintendent or captain sees your name, your application is reviewed by HR specialists.
Their job is not to judge your motivation or potential.
Their job is to determine whether your resume proves you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements exactly as written in the job announcement.
If your resume does not clearly match the qualification language, you may be:
• Marked Ineligible, or
• Marked Eligible but Not Referred
Even if you are physically fit, motivated, and capable.
👉 This is why language matters more than style.
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🟦 PART 2 — THE TWO-PAGE RULE (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
This Is a Federal Requirement
As of 2025, federal hiring guidance requires that resumes must not exceed two pages for most competitive service positions, including wildland fire.
This is not a FireCamp rule. It is a federal requirement enforced by HR.
Submitting a resume longer than two pages may result in:
• Automatic disqualification, or
• HR reviewing only the first two pages and ignoring the rest
Why One Page Is Still a Mistake
Federal resumes are not private-sector resumes.
One page is usually not enough to document:
• General experience
• Specialized fire experience
• Tool and equipment use
• ICS / LCES familiarity
• Physical work history
👉 Two full pages is what’s expected.
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🟨 PART 3 — REQUIRED RESUME SECTIONS (IN ORDER)
This section tells HR immediately whether you are even worth evaluating.
Include only certifications you have completed or are actively enrolled in:
• NWCG courses (completed or in progress)
• Task books (opened or completed)
• Medical and safety certifications (EMT, CPR, First Aid)
Important rules:
• Do not list courses you merely plan to take
• Clearly label anything in progress
(example: S-130 — In Progress)
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This is where most applicants fail.
Your bullet points must mirror the GW-03 or GW-04 qualification language — truthfully.
(Wildland fire positions use the GW pay scale, which functions similarly to GS.)
You are not copying to lie.
You are translating real experience into federal qualification terms.
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What HR Is Looking For
At GW-03, HR qualifies applicants based on general experience, not fire expertise.
Any paid or unpaid work can qualify if it demonstrates:
• Physical labor
• Ability to follow instructions
• Work in outdoor or demanding environments
• Safety awareness
SAMPLE — GW-03 GENERAL EXPERIENCE BULLETS
Outdoor / Physical Employment
Various Roles | Seasonal / Full-Time
• Performed physically demanding labor requiring endurance, teamwork, and adherence to safety procedures.
• Worked extended hours in variable weather and physically stressful environments.
• Followed detailed instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Maintained situational awareness and prioritized safety of self and others.
This language aligns directly with GW-03 General Experience requirements.
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This applies to firefighters upgrading after their first season.
What Changes at GW-04
HR now requires proof of specialized wildland fire experience equivalent to GW-03.
Your resume must clearly show:
• Fireline construction
• Tool and equipment use
• Hose lays and pump operations
• Patrol and mop-up
• Application of ICS and LCES
SAMPLE — GW-04 FIRE EXPERIENCE BULLETS
Federal Land Management Agency
Forestry Technician (Handcrew) | Seasonal | 40+ hrs/week
• Served as a skilled crewmember on a wildland fire crew suppressing fires of varying complexity.
• Constructed and secured fireline using hand tools and chainsaw under qualified supervision.
• Performed patrol, holding, and mop-up operations to ensure containment and firefighter safety.
• Assisted with hose lays and operation of portable pumps during suppression activities.
• Applied Incident Command System (ICS) and LCES principles during all fireline operations.
• Participated in prescribed fire and hazard fuel reduction projects.
• Operated, cleaned, and maintained firefighting tools, pumps, hose, and equipment.
Common GW-04 Resume Failure
“Worked a season on a handcrew.”
That sentence qualifies nothing.
SF-50 Clarification
• An SF-50 is not required to be eligible for GW-04
• Uploading one does not hurt and can support your application if available
IQCS Note (GW-04)
• Submitting an IQCS is not required
• Uploading it can help HR understand your fire experience
• Even a sparse IQCS is acceptable
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This section supports:
• Crew fit
• Leadership potential
• Stress tolerance
Include:
• Athletics
• Conservation corps or structured training programs
• Fire, EMS, or law-enforcement academies
• Wilderness or backcountry experience
• Team leadership roles
Translate everything into teamwork, discipline, accountability, and safety.
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Education can make you eligible for positions you might not otherwise qualify for.
• At GW-03, certain education may substitute for experience
• At GW-04, qualifying fire-related education may support eligibility
Critical rule:
If you list education, you must upload transcripts.
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable and commonly used
• In some cases, HR may later request official transcripts
Missing transcripts is a common reason applicants are marked ineligible, even when everything else is correct.
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Include:
• Pack test readiness
• Physical fitness and endurance
• Ability to work long hours in rugged terrain
• Navigation or outdoor skills
Avoid ego. Focus on job relevance.
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🟧 PART 4 — SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS & SUBMISSION STRATEGY
Resume (Strongly Recommended)
You may:
• Build your resume in the USAJobs Resume Builder to ensure nothing is missed
• Then export that information into a formatted Word document or PDF
Submitting your own formatted resume is recommended because it:
• Improves readability
• Allows better use of space
• Makes it easier for HR to verify qualifications
Follow the FireCamp sample structure and keep it two pages or fewer.
IQCS
• Not required
• Helpful once you have fire experience
• Upload even if sparse
Transcripts
• Required if claiming education
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable
• Official transcripts may be requested later
Cover Letter (Optional)
• One page maximum
• Clarify duty locations and availability
References
• Do not include references on your two-page resume
• References are typically entered later during the application process
• Leaving them off your resume saves valuable space
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🟩 PART 5 — APPLYING WITH ZERO FIRE EXPERIENCE
Minimum Path
• Create a USAJobs account
• Build a compliant two-page resume
• Apply to GW-03 Forestry Aid / Technician positions
• Upload CPR / First Aid if held
• Match general experience language carefully
You do not need fire experience.
You do need correct language.
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🟦 PART 6 — KEY FEDERAL HIRING REFERENCES
These resources explain the official eligibility language and hiring process used by different agencies.
U.S. Forest Service — Seasonal Wildland Fire Hiring
https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/recruitment-events/seasonal-wildland-firefighting
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — How to Apply
https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) — Wildland Fire Jobs
https://www.bia.gov/guide/how-apply-wildland-fire-jobs
🔥 FireCamp Rule:
If language appears in these resources, it should appear — truthfully — in your resume.
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🔥 FINAL WORD FROM FIRECAMP
This guide is based on resumes that cleared HR and were referred under current hiring rules.
If you follow this guide exactly, you give yourself the same advantage as someone with insider knowledge.
That’s the point of FireCamp.
EXAMPLE RESUME
John Doe
3833 Development Ave, ID 83705
Mobile: 123-456-7890 | Email: firecamp@email.com
Wildland Fire: FFT1/ICT5 Open Task Book, FFT2, A Sawyer, S-130, S-131, S-190, S-212, L-180, RXCM
Structure Firefighter I & II (12/2025)
Hazardous Materials Operations Level (12/2025)
EMT, American Heart Association (02/2025)
Basic Life Support (CPR & AED), American Heart Association (01/2025)
U.S. Forest Service – Location
Forestry Technician (Hotshot/Handcrew), GS-0462-4/1 | 06/2025 – 10/2025 | 40+ hrs/week
Served as a skilled crewmember on a Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, suppressing complex wildfires.
Constructed firelines and controlled fire spread using Pulaski, shovel, axe, McLeod, and chainsaw.
Conducted fireline activities: dirt moving, brush/tree clearing, patrolling, holding, and mop-up.
Applied LCES safety protocols and ICS procedures to ensure crew/public safety.
Completed specialized tasks: tree felling, backfire, and burnout under supervision.
Participated in prescribed burns, fire behavior monitoring, and data collection.
Conducted hazard fuel reduction projects and assisted in fire prevention efforts.
Operated and maintained firefighting tools and pumps.
Provided emergency medical support as a certified EMT during operations.
U.S. Forest Service – Location
Forestry Aid, GS-0462-3/1 | 07/2024 – 09/2024 | 40+ hrs/week
Assisted engine crew with fire suppression, pump operations, hose deployment, and equipment prep.
Applied ICS and LCES protocols in all operations; participated in safety briefings and proficiency drills.
Gained hands-on wildfire suppression experience during active incidents.
YMCA – Location
Lifeguard | 02/2023 – 09/2024 | 20+ hrs/week
Ensured public safety through surveillance and emergency response; applied CPR and first aid.
Trained and mentored new lifeguards on fitness, safety, and emergency preparedness.
Retail – Location
Production Technician / Retail / Grounds & Maintenance | 06/2021 – 06/2022 | 30+ hrs/week
Demonstrated ability to follow instructions, read and retain procedures, and perform physically demanding work in outdoor and operational environments.
Developed teamwork, organizational skills, and ability to follow detailed instructions.
Sales – Location
Produce Sales Assistant | 06/2020 – 08/2020 | 40+ hrs/week
Managed logistics, sales, and customer interactions; ensured efficient outdoor operations.
Athletics: College Cross Country & Track, High School Cross Country (Captain), Wrestling (Captain) – developed leadership, teamwork, and discipline.
Air Force ROTC Training: Built teamwork, endurance, and problem-solving through team-based exercises.
Wilderness & Adventure: Extended solo canoe trips, winter camping, backcountry hiking/navigation, survival, and risk management.
College – Location
Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership, Cum Laude | 12/2024 | GPA: 3.56
Relevant Coursework: Team Development, Organizational Development, Leadership
College –Location
Master’s in Management and Leadership (in progress)
Physical Fitness: 70 push-ups (1 min), 15 pull-ups, 80 sit-ups (2 min), 1.5-mile run in 9:30 min, Arduous Pack Test-ready
Completed 50 mile ultramarathon, multiple marathons, 100-mile bike race
Skilled in fireline navigation (GPS, topo maps, compass) and wilderness survival
Leadership through athletics, ROTC, wildfire crew operations, and academic coursework