Wildland Firefighter Jobs Overview
Looking into wildland firefighter jobs? First, let’s clear up the difference between these professionals and traditional firemen. To begin, structural firefighters deal with urban fires and other public service emergencies, whereas wildland firefighters douse forest fires.
Both professions will grow at a 4% rate in the next decade, as fast as the average economy. Around 28,000 job openings will be available each year. So, get ready to submit your resume today.
Structural firefighters are full-time careers, yet wildland firefighters are seasonal hires employed for four to six months per year. Wildland firefighting jobs can be dangerous and demanding. Shifts can last up to 24 hours when emergencies occur. Typical duties wildland firefighters carry out include:
- suppressing wildland fires with water pumps or chemicals
- operating fire engines and other machinery to access remote areas to control fires
- protecting forests, wildlife, neighborhoods, and communities from fires
- executing prescribed fire under controlled conditions
- saving civilians from wildland fires and giving medical attention
Salaries for Wildland Firefighter Jobs
The average salary of a wildland firefighter ranges between $32,184 and $61,574 a year, with $43,719 as a median. Factors such as the GS level you’re hired at, the geographical area you cover, and any possible overtime are responsible for fluctuations in the figures.
Looking at location, people in wildland firefighter jobs earn the most in:
Curious to know how much you could make in wildland firefighting jobs in your location? Head to Monster’s Salary Page, and simply enter your profession and city. You’ll be able to compare median wages across different roles and discover what skills are currently sought after in your industry.
How to Find the Wildland Firefighter Job That Fits You
Approach the job search for wildland firefighter jobs knowing what you’re looking for exactly. It will be less intimidating than you imagined. Consider the following to find suitable job openings for your needs and aspirations:
- Job responsibilities. Think about your skills, experience, and preferences. Determine what kind of job titles and responsibilities you can access with those. Decide if you’d like to work in fire suppression, crew operations, equipment handling or other areas.
- Your strengths and expertise. What kind of roles can you secure with your current education and training? Are there quick training courses you could attend to improve your employability?
- Firefighter agency. There are more than 27,000 different fire departments or agencies in the U.S. Research the ones you’re interested in to find out their reputations and missions. Read what other firefighters say online about the agency and look for shared values and a supportive work environment. It’s also a good idea to check what kind of career advancement opportunities are available.
How to Apply to Wildland Firefighter Jobs
Make your job applications more successful by dedicating the right amount of time and attention to your resume and cover letter. Also pay attention to any instructions about the appropriate channels to submit your application.
Gear up Your Resume for Wildland Firefighting Jobs
Present yourself to prospective employers for wildland firefighter jobs with a smoking-hot resume. Our best resume writing tip? Use a template like our sample firefighter resume.
It saves you precious time on building the layout, so you can focus on its content. State your experience in reverse-chronological order and fill it with relevant information to the firefighter job.
If you have interests or hobbies that helped you gain firefighting skills, go ahead and add an appropriate section. Your resume should at least consist of the following sections:
- contact details
- career objective
- professional experience
- skills
- education
As a firefighter, you need to prioritize the experiences that highlight your:
- quick decision-making
- teamwork
- endurance
- communication
- compassion
- ability to manage stress
- technical and safety training
On top of that, make sure to pick the exact industry keywords used in the job ad you’re targeting. Some of the most common keywords you’ll find in job openings are:
- active CPR certificate/AED card from American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
- valid/current EMT-B license
- valid driver’s license
- ability to remain calm under stress
- willingness to risk injury to help others
- ability to think and act decisively
- professional composure when dealing with unusual circumstances
If you need more support crafting your resume, check out Monster’s Resume Writing Services. We’ll help you showcase your value and optimize your resume for the firefighting role you’re after.
Smoke out Competition with a Wildland FirefightingCover Letter
Discuss in more detail your accomplishments or your motivation in a firefighter cover letter. Target it to the specific company you are applying to and keep it between 250 to 400 words following this structure:
- Introduction. Start with an engaging opening sentence. Grab the hiring manager’s attention right away and mention what specific position you’re applying for.
- Background and experience. Provide an overview of your relevant experience in firefighting. This includes how many years you’ve been active in the field and what fire management techniques and operations you have expertise in.
- Skills and qualifications. Highlight skills and characteristics that make you the ideal candidate. Explain how you use them in previous wildland firefighter jobs. Mention tools you work with such as the GIS software or the Incident Command System.
- Alignment with the firefighting role and organization. Explain why you’re interested in that specific organization. Cite programs, initiatives, and values that you share.
- Conclusion. Sum up why you’re the ideal fit and offer to provide additional information if required.
Submit Your Application
Are your resume and cover letter ready? Create a free Monster account and upload your documents to start applying to your selected wildland firefighter jobs. Want to find more openings? Turn on the alerts for new jobs matching your criteria. As a bonus, our partner recruiters and companies will be able to send you direct offers based on your skills.
How to Follow Up With an Employer
Wondering if you should follow up with the firefighting organizations you applied to? Absolutely! Showing continuous interest and having a proactive approach can make all the difference when job hunting. Here is how to do it appropriately:
- Choose the right timing. Give recruiters at least a week to screen applications and reach out. Attempting contact before that time could be perceived as pushy.
- Check your SPAM folder. Make sure you didn’t receive an answer in the wrong folder.
- Find out who to address the email to. Show attention to detail by sending your follow-up email to the appropriate person in the firefighting organization. Check the job opening for an email address or give them a call and kindly ask for it.
- Be short, professional, and polite. Briefly remind them which role you’re applying for and what your qualifications are. Then, inquire about the status of your application in a professional and respectful tone. Keep the lengthy texts for other occasions and be concise.
Interviewing Tips for Wildland Firefighter Jobs
There are only a few wildland firefighter positions open every year. So, naturally, the selection can be competitive. That’s why preparing for your job interview is important.
Check out some examples of firefighter interview questions and our sample answers to get an idea of what to expect. Before the big day, don’t forget to practice the most common general interview questions as well. Get them right and you’ll set the tone for the rest of your meeting. Finally, don’t be afraid to always ask questions if something is unclear. It won’t hurt your chances and it’s likely to help you appear more engaged with your prospective role.
What to Do When You Get an Offer
Did you receive a job offer? Congratulations! Now make sure to thank the organization for the offer and agree on a set time to reply. Use that time to carefully assess the proposal in all its parts, which are:
- Compensation and benefits. Review the compensation package. Look closely at salary, overtime rates, insurance and retirement plans, PTO and more. Are they in line with similar agencies?
- Work schedule and flexibility. Wildland firefighting often involves long hours and extended shifts. Are you able to make this lifestyle work in combination with your personal life commitments?
- Work location and required travel. Check if the work location is desirable as far as proximity to family or if you’re willing to spend time traveling for work.
- Career advancement opportunities and professional development. Are there training programs and potential to progress to higher responsibility roles?
If any of the above don’t meet your requirements, don’t be afraid to negotiate better terms. Remember that you can negotiate much more than salary.
Wildland Firefighter Job Career Paths
What can you do with experience in wildland firefighter jobs? Based on your interests you could specialize in incident management, prescribed fire, leadership and more. You can pursue other opportunities in firefighting, such as:
- Crew Member: You'd work in small teams and be responsible for the initial attack in fire suppression, fuel reduction and other special firefighting operations. To be part of the firefighting crew you must be able to follow a strict physical fitness program.
- Engine Operator: As an engine operator you would play a crucial role in fire suppression by deploying equipment and implementing firefighting strategies. More specifically you would set up hoses, raise ladders and manage water supplies.
- Fire Investigator: As a fire investigator you would examine scenes of fires to determine their origin and cause. You would use forensic techniques to gather evidence and help determine if the fire was accidental or intentional.
- Fire Management Officer: Once you develop leadership skills you can transition into a fire management role as an officer. In this position, you’d be in charge of planning the most appropriate fire management for each case, coordinating firefighting operations and strategies.
- Paramedic Firefighter: Want to be able to do even more? Get additional training in medical emergencies and become a paramedic. You’ll have the knowledge and skills to intervene on the spot in case of severe or traumatic accidents.
Similar Occupations
What other protective services jobs could be right for you? Explore some of the most popular roles among candidates such as: