Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Firefighter Apprentice)

Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) is designed to enhance and develop future leaders in wildland firefighting. The WFAP delivers innovative and fundamental training for the development of wildland firefighters. As an apprentice, you'll receive a hybrid of education, training, paid work experience of 3,000 hours and attend a Wildland Fire Training Academy. Wildland firefighter apprentices are involved with wildland fire suppression, fire management, and fire support functions. Upon completion of the program, you'll have journey-level status as a wildland firefighter. As a Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Firefighter Apprentice) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a trained and experienced wildland firefighter on an engine, prescribed fire, or on a hand crew. Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions. Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations. Participate in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression. Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. Duties listed are at the GW-05 full performance level. Physical Demands: This position requires arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Working Conditions: This position performs work in forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Department of the Interior