Want to Be a Wildland Firefighter?

Press release from Six Rivers National Forest:

The 2015 fire season was a busy one on the Six Rivers National Forest, and although we’ve had some rain and snow, 2016 could be busy, as well. If you’re interested helping out and becoming a wildland firefighter this coming summer, the Six Rivers anticipates filling approximately 65 temporary positions in fire management for its 2016 fire season.

According to Mike Minton, interagency fire chief for the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Park, “These six-month positions are critical for our fire management organization. By advertising for these positions early in the year, we hope to have staff onboard in early May before our fire season starts.”

Duty locations include Gasquet, Orleans (includes Oak Bottom and T-Bar), Willow Creek (includes Salyer), Mad River (includes Ruth and Zenia), Fortuna and Orick. Available positions include firefighter, hotshot and engine positions, as well as fire lookouts and dispatchers. Not all positions are available at all locations.

The five-day vacancy announcements will open on USA Jobs (www.usajobs.gov), on Monday, January 11 and close on Friday, January 15. Applicants will need to create a profile and resume on the USA Jobs website. Applicants are encouraged to read the vacancy announcements thoroughly for specific information about job requirements and how to apply.

To find out more about wildland firefighter career opportunities on the forest, everyone is invited to attend a one-hour presentation given by fire management staff, on Friday, January 8, starting at 5 p.m., at the Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1330 Bayshore Way, in Eureka. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

For more information, call the Six Rivers Firefighter Applicant Job Hotline at (707) 441-3615.