Wildland Firefighter

Wildland Firefighter

Salary

$35,158.00 - $46,173.00 Annually

Location

Union County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

193286

Agency

Forestry Commission

Division

Piedmont East Spartanburg

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Residency Requirement

Yes

Residency Requirement (specifics):

Must be a resident of South Carolina and live in Union County or surrounding areas.

Class Code:

LD42

Position Number:

60011147

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

GEN04

Hiring Range - Min.

$35,158.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$46,173.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

When applying for this position, the electronic state application must be completed to include the Education and Work Experience sections and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each work-related position and, if applicable, military service (indicate rank) and job-related volunteer work that you feel qualifies you for the position. Failure to provide detailed and complete work-related information may result in your application being rejected. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. A criminal records check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. SCFC requires individuals to complete an online application to apply for this position. Interested individuals can access www.careers.sc.gov, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid drivers license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Works a rotating schedule, 40 hours / 5-day work week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. Job requires on-call duty and weekend work.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

The Responsibilities of the Wildland Firefighter:

Under direct supervision, performs fire protection duties including fire prevention and suppression, but not exclusively with complex heavy mechanized equipment; performs operator maintenance necessary to maintain fire suppression equipment in a state of readiness; performs various forestry services including firebreaks, prescribed burns, and water bar construction and assists in other forestry operations.

• Responds to forest fire calls as required by the readiness plan. Performs forest fire suppression duties utilizing bulldozer tractor, handline tools, and water handling equipment. Assists with fire prevention efforts. Determines cause/origin of wildland fires to complete fire reports.
• Performs operator preventive maintenance on all assigned equipment and maintains equipment in a state of readiness; exercises equipment in accordance with SCFC policy and procedures. Performs maintenance and construction duties at Forestry Commission facilities.
• Performs forestry services, such as firebreak plowing, waterbar construction and prescribed burning assistance. Assists foresters and Sector FMOs with forest management activities such as timber marking, tree planting, survival checks, forest insect and disease work, acreage measurements, and other landowner services. Maintains an awareness of the cost-sharing assistance and services provided by the SCFC. Works with fire departments, the US Forest Service, civic groups, and other local, state, and federal agencies to promote sound forestry and fire management practices.
• Participates in training annually. Prepares monthly administrative reports to include time sheets, equipment reports, services reports and fire-related documentation.
• Participates in activities in support of the agencys mission and goals and performs related other duties as required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A high school diploma and experience in forest fire protection duties, forestry management, operation of heavy mechanized equipment, or relevant work experience.
• Must pass the agency's initial physical fitness test that requires a two (2) mile walk carrying a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or meet the agency's physical fitness program requirements.
• Must obtain firefighter registration with the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Criminal background check. Drug and alcohol test are required.
• Position requires a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Must have Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) prior to employment. To obtain your Commercial Learner's Permit, you must take the official written test at any SCDMV branch. The manual for this test can be found here: https://scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Beginner-Permits
• Must complete CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Theory training within 15 working days of hire then obtain a Commercial Drivers License within 90 working days.

Additional Comments

• Must be a resident of South Carolina and live in Union County or surrounding areas.
• Must be able to lift, walk, squat, climb and carry objects up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in changing environmental conditions.
• Works a rotating schedule, 40 hours / 5-day work week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. Job requires on-call duty and weekend work. Overnight travel required to include extensive periods of time (up to 18 days) on large fire incidents or other natural disasters in/out of the state.
• Knowledge of practices and principles of forest fire control. Ability to operate heavy mechanized firefighting equipment. Ability to gather information on forest fires and to prepare reports. Knowledge of the primary and surrounding areas of responsibility and operation of wildland fire control equipment. Ability to act effectively in emergency or stressful situations. Knowledge of practices and principles of forest fire control. Knowledge of South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) forest management programs, policies, and procedures.
• This position requires the employee to be subject to random, post incident/accident, reasonable suspicion and rehabilitation monitoring and drug and alcohol testing consistent with SCFC Drug-Free Workplace-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing. This position is designated as essential.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid drivers license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position may be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid Class B Commercial Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

04

If you do not have a Class B CDL, could you obtain your CLP before starting employment?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you willing to accept a starting salary of $35,158-$46,173?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and have experience in forest fire protection duties, forestry management, operation of heavy mechanized equipment, or relevant work experience?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Forestry Commission Address 5500 Broad River Road

Columbia, South Carolina, 29212

Phone 803-896-8879

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.